Owing the IRS money can be a stressful, if not downright frightening experience. You appreciate the power that this agency has to lay claim to your assets and capital. With that, it is crucial that you remember some important tips as you face this financial obligation and prepare to deal with it effectively. These reminders can help you form a plan that will let you pay off your tax debt and protect your money, your finances and your legal future.

1) Pay Attention to IRS Notices

When you owe the IRS money, you can expect to be contacted at length by this organization. You most likely will get letters in the mail telling you how much you owe and when this debt must be paid in full.

You may want to toss those letters and ignore that you ever got them in the first place. However, it is vital that you acknowledge them, even if you cannot pay the debt quite yet, by at least calling the IRS and explaining your financial situation.

2) Demand Notification of Your Rights

In all likelihood, the agent assigned to your case will explain your rights to you before any collection or negotiation process begins. Even so, you should make it known that you would like these rights explained to you fully and that you would like them to be in writing.

3) Be Aware of Due Process

Due process is a Constitutional right that applies to IRS cases as well. You have the right to go through the entire legal process to resolve your tax debt without any step being neglected or ignored. If you are unaware of the due process for your tax case, you should ask the agent on your case for an explanation or ask another tax professional for help.

4) Know If Your Spouse Is Innocent

While most debts are shared jointly by married couples, your spouse may not be liable for your tax obligation. If you filed separately and did not include some information on your return, your spouse may not have a hand in resolving this matter. It is vital that you find out to what extent, if any, your spouse is liable for this debt.

5) Hire a Tax Expert

Tax laws are sometimes very confusing and difficult to understand. You may have inadvertently made a mistake on your return and now owe money that you otherwise would have paid if you understood the law better. Rather than remain in the dark regarding these laws, you should hire a tax professional to explain your obligation to you.

6) Have Counsel with You during IRS Proceedings

You would not go to court alone without a lawyer. In that same regard, you should make sure you have good legal representation with you when you are called to a hearing with the IRS. A lawyer who specializes in tax law can make sure that your rights are protected and that any deal that is brokered is truly in your best interest.

7) Know Your Filing and Payment Options

The IRS offers delinquent taxpayers several different filing and payment options. If you cannot come up with the cash in your bank account to satisfy this debt, you may use any of these options, depending on your tax situation:

• Extension request
• Installment payment plan
• Offer to compromise
• Hardship forgiveness 
• Credit card payments

These filing and payment options, among others, could help you avoid being garnished or having your assets seized.

8) Be Respectful

You may feel like shouting, crying or pleading with the agent assigned to your case. However, it is in your best interest to remain respectful throughout the process. Acting rashly and giving into your emotions almost certainly will not help your case. The agent most likely is eager to work with you to settle the debt. Therefore, you should reciprocate the sentiment by showing him or her the appropriate amount of respect.

9) Notice Any Mistakes

You also should be on guard for any mistakes the IRS may have made regarding your debt to it. Indeed, this agency can make the occasional mistake and overlook vital information that turns your case around entirely. If you or your lawyer spy such an error, you should not hesitate to make it known and to demand that it be fixed immediately.

10) Remain Current on Your Returns

No need exists for you to get further behind on your bill to the IRS. The fact that you owe money from years prior does not give you an excuse to ignore filing this year's return. Even if you have an outstanding tax debt, you should keep filing your returns and avoid adding to what you owe the government.

These reminders can be vital when it comes to settling your IRS tax obligation. You can protect your assets, avoid being garnished, and escape having criminal charges filed against you by keeping these strategies in mind when addressing your outstanding tax debt.