Business Seizure Testimonial
/I was shocked. The IRS had called me into a meeting at their office. Tom Ryder, my attorney accompanied me. As soon as we sat down, the Revenue Officer and Manager wanted a signed consent to seize the business. Mr. Ryder said, “Hell no.” Well, he actually didn’t say “hell,” but he did say, “No thank you.” The business was gradually turning around and showing sustainability. There was no need for seizure.
The IRS people talked our ears off in a small conference room for the next three hours. I was really getting thirsty. Don’t these IRS people ever go to lunch? At the end, the IRS still said they were proceeding with seizure. We left the meeting and I was feeling nervous. I had poured my entire life into building this business and now the IRS was threatening to ruin everything. A few years prior I had undertaken an ill-fated expansion that resulted in disaster. But now I was shedding unprofitable stores and digging out of the hole. Surely the IRS could see I wasn’t a bad guy, just suffering through some financial difficulties.
Mr. Ryder said, “Whatever you do, stay current on federal tax deposits. With your history, it’s our only prayer to avoid being seized.” I told him I was staying current on everything. Mr. Ryder said he was going back to the office to write our appeals. We only had two days to file appeals of the Manager’s decision.
Mr. Ryder filed the appeals and the case dragged on six more months during which we stayed current on our taxes. After six months, the IRS transferred case internally to a different Revenue Officer who set up payment plans. Two years later we had finally dug out of the hole, free of all back taxes and staging a comeback. If not for Mr. Ryder’s firm, I’d be the guy selling pencils on the I-90/94 off ramp at Irving Park road. Thankfully there are attorneys out there like Ryder & Associates willing to take a stand for small businesses going through a difficult time.
Mr. A.
Cook County, Illinois