IRS Revenue Officer Assigned Here’s What to Do Next

When a Revenue Officer Gets Involved, the IRS Means Business

If you’ve received a call, letter, or unannounced visit from an IRS Revenue Officer, you’re no longer dealing with automated collections—you’re facing high-level enforcement.

Revenue Officers are field agents who handle serious tax cases. If one has been assigned to you, it usually means:

• Your tax debt is large
• You’ve ignored multiple notices
• There may be unfiled returns
• You may have payroll tax problems or business exposure

This blog explains what to expect, what your rights are, and how to respond immediately to avoid aggressive collection action.

What Is an IRS Revenue Officer?

A Revenue Officer (RO) is not a call center agent. They are field agents trained to:

• Conduct in-person interviews
• Demand financial documents
• Assess assets and collectability
• Seize assets or recommend liens/levies
• Refer egregious cases for criminal investigation

Related: What to Do If You Can’t Afford to Pay Your Payroll Tax Debt

Step 1: Don’t Ignore the Officer

Ignoring a Revenue Officer won’t make them go away. In fact, it will:

• Trigger levies, liens, and asset seizures
• Eliminate opportunities for voluntary resolution
• Cause your case to be flagged as uncooperative
• Limit negotiation flexibility

You (or your CPA) should respond quickly and professionally.

Step 2: Know What They’ll Ask For

The Revenue Officer will request:

• All unfiled returns
• Your last 6 months of bank statements
• Pay stubs or profit/loss statements
• A full Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A or 433-B)
• Documents showing assets, liabilities, and expenses

If you’re missing returns, see: Facing Back Taxes? Here’s How Orange County Residents Can Get Relief

Step 3: Don’t Meet With Them Alone

Meeting with a Revenue Officer without representation is high-risk—especially if you:

• Owe payroll taxes
• Have significant unfiled returns
• Are self-employed or a business owner
• May have commingled personal and business funds

Hire a qualified CPA or tax resolution expert to communicate and negotiate on your behalf.

Related: IRS Trust Fund Recovery Penalty – What Business Owners Need to Know

Step 4: Build a Resolution Strategy

Depending on your financial situation, your CPA can pursue:

• Installment Agreement
• Offer in Compromise
• Currently Not Collectible status
• Partial pay agreement or a phased resolution

Revenue Officers are often more flexible early in the case—before escalation.

Step 5: Be Organized and On Time

Missing deadlines or submitting sloppy documents signals that you're a collection risk. That increases the chance of enforcement.

Instead:

• Get your financial records in order
• File all required returns before submitting Form 433
• Respond promptly to RO correspondence

Your goal is to demonstrate cooperation and control.

We Help Orange County Taxpayers Deal with Revenue Officers

At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, we help individuals and business owners:

• Communicate directly with IRS Revenue Officers
• Submit Form 433-A/B and supporting documents correctly
• Stop levies, garnishments, and seizures
• Negotiate fair resolution options quickly

Call (657) 218-5700 or schedule at www.orangecounty.cpa

We represent clients across Orange County and California.

FAQ: IRS Revenue Officer Assignments

Q: Why did the IRS assign a Revenue Officer to me?
A: You likely have a high-dollar debt, unfiled returns, payroll issues, or prior noncompliance.

Q: Can they come to my house or business?
A: Yes. Revenue Officers conduct in-person visits and are allowed to show up without notice.

Q: Can I still avoid levies or garnishments?
A: Yes—if you act quickly and provide what they need, many enforcement actions can be paused.

Q: Will they refer me for criminal charges?
A: Rare, but possible—especially in cases of willful evasion or payroll abuse. That’s why you need expert representation.

📣 About the Author

Marc Boulanger, CPA is the founder of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, a boutique tax resolution firm based in Orange County, California and trusted by high-income individuals and business owners across Southern California.

With over a decade of experience resolving high-stakes IRS and State tax matters, Marc brings strategic insight to complex cases involving wage garnishments, bank levies, unfiled returns, and six-figure tax debts. He is known for helping clients reduce or eliminate tax liabilities through expertly negotiated settlements and compliance plans.

Marc is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California and Oklahoma and holds the designation of Certified Tax Representation Consultant. He is a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) — the national organization founded by the educators and practitioners who have trained thousands of CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys in IRS representation strategy.

Every case is handled with discretion, proven methodology, and direct CPA-led representation — not call center scripts.

📍 Learn more at www.orangecounty.cpa or call (657) 218-5700.