Consider it a Happy New Year message from the IRS! They just released updates to the four fundamental IRS Forms regularly used in resolving delinquent taxpayers’ accounts. These are: Form 433-A (OIC), Form 433-B (OIC), Form 656 and Form 9465. At PitBullTax Software we rolled up our sleeves and got to work immediately to diligently update the revised IRS Forms for our licensees in as short a period of time as possible. While we are working on the updates, we'd like to give you a heads up on the main changes in these releases. 

• For employed individuals it is now required to indicate if taxpayer(s) have an interest in their employers’ business. 
• The form now clearly allows the $1,000 adjustment to the individual bank accounts equity, something PitBullTax Software allowed for long ago. However, they still don't mention anything about the reduction of bank accounts equity by allowable monthly living expenses. Not to fear; this option is already built-in to the software.
• On the form, it is now required to indicate the purchase date and date of final payment for real estate properties.
• In the Vehicles section, we now need to disclose the name of creditor, purchase date and date of final payment.
• The form now clearly indicates that you can deduct $3,450 from the vehicle value, and if a joint offer is filed, an additional $3,450 for a second vehicle. And the vehicles don't have to be used for work, the production of income or the welfare of the taxpayer's family in order to qualify for the deduction.
• Under the Personal Assets Information, it is now required to include interest in a company or business that is not publicly traded.
• Self-Employed sections are to be completed not only for Schedule C filers, but for Schedule E and F filers as well. 

• The Quick Sale Value of 80% is now clearly indicated for business investments, real estate assets and business vehicles. In prior revisions those calculated values were subject to guesswork. 
• The name of creditor and date of final payment are now required for real estate assets and business vehicles. 
• The IRS exemption amount for professional books and tools of trade increased from $4,290 to $4,470.

• The application fee for Offer in Compromise increased from $150 to $186, effective January 1, 2014.
• The form added a question as to whether or not the taxpayer used the Pre-Qualifier tool located on www.irs.gov prior to filling out the form. We surmise it's a clever way of marketing newly created IRS tool.
• Low Income Certification guidelines have increased slightly for all states and D.C.
• Offer amount should now be rounded to whole dollars only; no cents please.
• The loophole for Lump Sum Cash offers has been closed, as it is now clearly states that Lump Sum Cash offers must be paid within 5 or fewer months from the date of acceptance. In prior revisions the verbiage was in 5 or fewer payments, which allowed it to be paid over a period of 24 months. Not any longer, folks.
• Payment schedule for Lump Sum Cash offers no longer require specifying the ‘day of the month’ payments will be made; just the month suffices. 
• A Correction Agreement has been added to the Offer Terms section which indicates that the taxpayers authorize the IRS to correct any typographical or clerical errors or make minor modifications to Form 656. We really hope that the definition of “minor modification” does not impact the final offer amount by thousands.  

• The Installment Agreement fee for non-direct-debit agreements and payroll deduction agreements increased from $105 to $120, effective January 1, 2014.
• Form 9465 can now be filed by individuals who owe employment or unemployment taxes for businesses that are no longer operating. In such cases the name of business and EIN is required. 
• Foreign address fields have been added for those taxpayers who currently reside outside of the US. 
• The total amount owed is now to be divided by 72 months to see if the proposed installment amount is greater than or equal to this value. If it's less, Form 433-F is required for submission. If the amount is equal or greater, but the total amount owed is between $25,000 and $50,000, then direct debit from checking account or payroll deduction is required, unless submitted with Form 433-F. If the amount owed is over $50,000, then Form 433-F is always required. 
• Part II has been added to the newly revised form which is required to be completed by taxpayers who have either defaulted on an installment agreement within the past 12 months, or who owe (in total IRS debt) more than $25,000 but less than $50,000 and can pay the debt in full within 72 months. Part II questions mimic those on Form 9465-FS, which probably will drop out of circulation with the introduction of this newly revised Form 9465.