Prevent Bankruptcy By Seeking Help Through A Non-profit Debt Counselor
For many Americans, it is believed that the people who file bankruptcy are irresponsible with money, which all filers are living outside of their means and flat out refuse to make bill payments. While there are unfortunate cases in which these instances have been found to be true, the majority of Bankruptcy causes are uncontrollable. There are seven main factors that can lead to a person filing bankruptcy.
The seven main factors are listed from the main cause to the least likely cause of bankruptcy. Credit card debt is the most likely cause of bankruptcy at a 67% cause rate. The loss of a job or a decrease in pay carries a 50% rate for bankruptcy. Poor financial management is rated at 37%. Medical bills are said to be half out of 1.5 million bankruptcies. Three quarters of individuals who file bankruptcy due to medical bills or health issues are insured. Medical causes carry a 28% cause of bankruptcy. For those who encounter business trouble there is a 15% rate of bankruptcy. Divorce carries 13% and legal bills and lawsuits combined carry 12%.
These percentages show the true factors for most bankruptcies are not at the fault of the filer. Unfortunately even when finances are managed frugally, bankruptcy can still be forced to occur. It is very important in prevention of bankruptcy to properly plan your finances and create a budget that you can live within. Make bill payments on time and pay credit card payments on time as well. By doing so you lower your risk of having to file bankruptcy at all.
Non-profit debt counselors are well-trained and experienced professionals who help those who are struggling with severe debt and financial struggles. They do this as a free service to help debtors regain control of their finances and to pay off their debtors. This program is not a loan but an education based program.
Tools and courses are provided to assist debtors in creating either a repayment plan or a debt management plan. These debt counselors review your personal situation to help provide you with the most beneficial program. They research your credit report, your average income, your assets and your debts. Once this information is gathered, the plan that is most suitable will be discussed with you entirely. You will know the advantages and disadvantages of the plans offered so that you can choose the plan that will best help you regain control over your finances.
Debt counseling does not just provide a band-aid for your debt trouble like bankruptcy can. Instead it heals the problem at the source. You are provided with tools to help you to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Bankruptcy can discharge your debts immediately for a fee, but further in the future your debt troubles can easily return.
There is numerous non-profit debt counseling services available to you. To find a representative in your area the most helpful tool is the Internet. You can find services that can help you online and over the phone. They are there to help you in any way possible. The help is available to relieve you from stress and financial chaos. All you have to do is click or call and you will be on your way to a fresh start with your finances.
Tags: Bankruptcies, Bankruptcy Credit Card, Bankruptcy Due To Medical Bills, Bankruptcy Help, Bill Payments, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Payments, Debt Counselor, Debtors, Filer, Filers, Filing Bankruptcy, Financial Management, Health Issues, Legal Bills, Medical Causes, Non Profit Debt Counselors, Program Tools, Three Quarters, Unfortunate CasesIrs Debt Help: 5 Options To Getting Rid Of Tax Debt
IRS Debt Help:
Do you owe the IRS? Are you struggling with IRS debts and cannot figure out what to do? Dont despair, you are not alone. Many Americans owe back taxes, or cannot afford to pay their IRS debts. If you want to get IRS debt help, its important to understand the different IRS tax debt strategies.
There are five strategies for getting out of IRS tax debt.
1.Offer in Compromise: a program where you can settle your tax debts for less than what you owe. Requires making a lump sum or short term payment plan to pay off the IRS at a reduced dollar amount.
2.Installment agreement: a monthly payment plan for paying off the IRS.
3.Partial payment installment agreement: a somewhat new debt management program where you have a long term payment plan to pay off the IRS at a reduced dollar amount.
4.Not currently collectible: a program where the IRS voluntarily agrees not to collect on the tax debt for a year or so.
5.Filing bankruptcy: discharge your tax debts under the strict rules of a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy petition.
Offer in Compromise
Many people who find themselves in debt to the IRS might focus on the first option above the Offer in Compromise (OIC). For those who qualify it can be the optimal solution, however, it is important to note that not everyone qualifies for the Offer in Compromise solution. Only about 15% of applicants succeed in reducing their debts through the OIC program. For this reason and because of the complexity of filing an Offer in Compromise many people enlist the services of a Tax Professional who has a track record of success negotiating with the IRS. This Tax Professional will not only be able to determine if you are eligible to reduce your IRS debts via an OIC but they will also assist you in navigating the complicated IRS bureaucracy to achieve the desired outcome.
An Offer in Compromise is a lengthy and time-consuming process. It takes most individuals anywhere from 12 months to 24 months to achieve a successful resolution on your offer application. Through an Offer in Compromise, taxpayers agree to pay the IRS only the reasonable collection potential instead of the full amount of taxes owed. For some people the “reasonable collection potential” will be less than the full amount of taxes owed sometimes as little as 10%.
Installment Agreement
Many taxpayers cannot qualify for an Offer in Compromise, Statute of Limitations expiration, or bankruptcy relief but still seek resolution for their IRS liability. In these cases, it may be possible to negotiate long term IRS payment arrangements. The IRS allows structuring five primary types of payment plans, or Installment Agreements: Guaranteed Installment Agreements, Streamlined Installment Agreements, In-Business Trust Fund Agreements, Long-Term Installment Agreements, and Installment Agreements on Specified Balance Due Accounts.
Currently Not Collectible
If a taxpayer does not qualify for an offer in compromise and cannot afford to pay an Installment Agreement, Currently not Collectible (CNC) status may be an option. If a client is placed in CNC status, the statute of limitations continues to run and the IRS will not pursue collection actions. However, if a taxpayers financial status improves, the IRS can remove the file from CNC status and return to active collection status.
Reasons for attempting CNC status:
1. Taxpayer has income below allowable expenses and there is no indication that the financial situation will improve in the future;
2. Due to high equity, the taxpayer does not qualify for an OIC and has more allowable expenses than income so an Installment Agreement is not an option; and,
3. Taxpayer has more allowable expenses than income and the statute of limitations is getting close to expiring.
Statute of Limitation for IRS Tax Debt
The IRS has 10 years to collect outstanding tax liabilities. This is measured from the day a tax liability has been finalized. A tax liability can be finalized in a number of ways. It could be a balance due on a tax return, an assessment from an audit, or a proposed assessment that has become final. From that day, the IRS has ten years to collect the full amount, plus any penalties and interest. If the IRS doesn’t collect the full amount in the 10-year period, then the remaining balance on the account disappears forever. The statute of limitations on collecting the tax has expired.
Selecting a Tax Professional to handle your IRS Tax Debts
Because of the complexity of the Offer in Compromise and other IRS tax debt processes, many taxpayers hire a tax professional to prepare their IRS documentation and to negotiate directly with the IRS. Tax professionals charge anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 or more for accurate and thorough IRS representation. Because most of the IRS tax debt solutions involve negotiating with the IRS, your tax professional should be admitted to practice before the IRS. You should be looking for a Tax Attorney, an Enrolled Agent (EA), or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to handle your Offer in Compromise. The tax professional must know about the laws governing IRS collection of tax debts, how the IRS evaluates offers, and what all the options are for resolving tax debt problems. Taxpayers should be looking for a tax professional with years of experience in IRS collection matters, especially experience in dealing with revenue officers, the Automated Collection Systems division, and the complex IRS process according to Jim Brown, the managing tax attorney with Freedom Tax Relief.
Please be aware that even the most successful tax professionals have lost Offer in Compromise cases, so not every consumer looking for IRS debt help is guaranteed the most savings. It is important to know that your Offer in Compromise will be decided based on your unique financial situation. If you do need IRS debt help, having a tax professional represent you before the IRS will help ensure that all letters and phone calls from the IRS are handled quickly and professionally. But in the end, it is up to the IRS to make a decision about your case.
It is important to know that like death and taxes, your IRS tax debt issue will not simply vanish, so you should seek help before the IRS escalates collection efforts and/or you accrue additional penalties and interest.
Tags: Bankruptcy Discharge, Bankruptcy Petition, Compromise Solution, Debt Help, Debt Management Program, Desired Outcome, Filing Bankruptcy, First Option, Installment Agreement, Irs Help, Irs Tax, Lump Sum, Offer In Compromise, Oic Program, Optimal Solution, Strict Rules, Tax Debt, Tax Debts, Tax Irs, Tax ProfessionalWord Count:Article Body:
In the past, credit card payments have always been fair, a small percentage of the total balance owed. A new change has recently been proposed by the government that may change this. The monthly credit card payments that people are making may double within the next year. This will make things much harder for people who are already having a hard time making their existing payments.
How Much You Will Now Need To Pay
The credit card companies have made large profits by allowing people to make small payments on their credit card balances. The interest rate on credit cards has gone as high as 20%. At this rate, it can take a person years to pay off debts that are just a few thousand dollars. It does little good to make only the minimum payments on your credit card each month. Because the average American owes about $10,000 in credit card debt, their monthly payments are about $200. The new proposed law would push this amount to $400, including interest.
The law proposed by the federal government has been in existence for two years, but companies have been given a set period of time to comply with the law. It is expected that lenders will raise the payments to 4% before the end of this year. At first glance this may seem like a small amount, but it will dramatically increase the monthly payments of those who owe thousands of dollars. Many people have already begun filing for bankruptcy. You are probably wandering what you should do in a situation like this.
If You Cant Pay
The first thing you can do is stop using your credit cards. It doesn’t make much sense to keep using it when the minimum payments are about to be increased. After this you will want to begin cutting back on bills that will keep you from being able to make your monthly payments. If you have equity in your home, you will want to use it to consolidate your loans if possible. An unsecured personal loan can also be helpful. It may also be possible to get a lower interest rate from your bank.
Theres No Going Back Now
One thing you have to understand is that when the minimum payments increase, they are not likely to come back down. While this will allow some people to pay off their debts faster, many more people will not be able to pay off their loans, and will be forced to file bankruptcy. Some people believe that such a law will hurt the economy, because by raising the cost of the minimum payments you will decrease the purchasing power of the citizens.
Financial Freedom is the Key
It is best to get out of debt in anyway you can, or reduce your interest rates. If you don’t have a credit card, you may want to avoid getting one. You should sit down and be honest with yourself to decide if you’re responsible enough to manage one. If not, it is best to use cash. It has become more difficult to get out of debt than ever before, and this will not change in the future. It is important for you to take the steps today that can allow you to reduce your financial burden. You should stop using your credit card as soon as possible.
On a Personal Note Living In Never Never land
Many experts have argued that increasing the monthly payments on loans will help people and I for one must agree with that. Even at this increased amount consumers will be paying an exorbitant amount in interest and fees given the average balance of an Americans credit card statement. These high interest-charging credit cards have been sucking the money from many of us who are blissfully unaware of the financial damage that they are causing. Short-term financial strain in increasing these minimum payments may be the best long-term strategy to find the growing debt problem in the US. A change in attitudes by many of us would also be a start of a brighter financial future.
Tags: Article Body, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Payments, Credit Cards, Debts, Existence, Federal Government, Filing Bankruptcy, Filing For Bankruptcy, First Glance, Hard Time, Interest Rate, Lenders, Minimum Payments, Period Of Time, Profits, Thousand Dollars, Thousands Of Dollars, Unsecured Personal Loan, Word CountCredit Card Debt Help – 3 Tips To Reducing Debt
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While getting out of debt may seem impossible, there are numerous solutions available that will help consumers become debt free. Individuals who have acquired an enormous amount of debt may consider bankruptcy as their only alternative. However, this maneuver to alleviate debt is extremely damaging to your credit score. Before filing bankruptcy, consider the following tips to help you reduce credit card debt.
Apply for a Low Interest Balance Transfer
Many financial experts advise consumers to pay more than the monthly minimum on credit cards. In theory, this plan will reduce your debt. On the flip side, many consumers are unable to pay double their monthly minimums. The best method for reducing debt is lowering interest rates. A low rate credit card equals low finance chargers, which means a larger portion of your payment is applied to the principal.
If you have good credit, you may be able to negotiate a lower interest rate on your current credit cards. Furthermore, applying for a low interest balance transfer will help eliminate your debt. Some credit cards offer an introductory low interest rate for a specified period. In some cases, you may pay zero interest for the first six months.
Take Advantage of Home Equity Loans and Mortgage Refinancing
If you own a home, you may be able to reduce and eliminate debt by obtaining a home equity debt consolidation loan or cash-out refinancing. With a home equity loan, your residence secures the loan. These loans are perfect for good and bad credit individuals. Because home equity loans have shorter terms and lower rates, you can reduce your debt in five to ten years.
Mortgage refinancing is another option for reducing debt. Refinancing creates a new mortgage, thus homeowners must be in a position to pay closing costs and other fees. A cash-out refinancing involves refinancing your current mortgage, and borrowing your home’s equity. The cash received at closing can be used for a variety of purposes such as debt consolidation, unpaid utility and medical bills, and other huge expenses.
Using Online Debt Management and Consolidation Services
Non-homeowners and bad credit individuals may be unable to transfer current credit card balances or obtain funds from a home equity loan or refinancing. In this case, online debt management and consolidation services can help. Debt management counselors will contact your creditors and negotiate lower interest rates. Moreover, the agency will consolidate your debts and freeze your credit accounts. This way, you avoid accumulating additional debt. On average, debt management agencies can reduce your monthly payments up to 60%, and help you become debt free within a few years.
Tags: Article Body, Balance Transfer, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Debt Help, Credit Score, Current Mortgage, Debt Consolidation Loan, Debt Credit, Filing Bankruptcy, Financial Experts, Flip Side, Free Individuals, Getting Out Of Debt, Home Equity Loan, Home Equity Loans, Interest Balance, Mortgage Refinancing, New Mortgage, Reducing Debt, Years MortgageCredit Card Debt Help – 3 Tips To Reducing Debt
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While getting out of debt may seem impossible, there are numerous solutions available that will help consumers become debt free. Individuals who have acquired an enormous amount of debt may consider bankruptcy as their only alternative. However, this maneuver to alleviate debt is extremely damaging to your credit score. Before filing bankruptcy, consider the following tips to help you reduce credit card debt.
Apply for a Low Interest Balance Transfer
Many financial experts advise consumers to pay more than the monthly minimum on credit cards. In theory, this plan will reduce your debt. On the flip side, many consumers are unable to pay double their monthly minimums. The best method for reducing debt is lowering interest rates. A low rate credit card equals low finance chargers, which means a larger portion of your payment is applied to the principal.
If you have good credit, you may be able to negotiate a lower interest rate on your current credit cards. Furthermore, applying for a low interest balance transfer will help eliminate your debt. Some credit cards offer an introductory low interest rate for a specified period. In some cases, you may pay zero interest for the first six months.
Take Advantage of Home Equity Loans and Mortgage Refinancing
If you own a home, you may be able to reduce and eliminate debt by obtaining a home equity debt consolidation loan or cash-out refinancing. With a home equity loan, your residence secures the loan. These loans are perfect for good and bad credit individuals. Because home equity loans have shorter terms and lower rates, you can reduce your debt in five to ten years.
Mortgage refinancing is another option for reducing debt. Refinancing creates a new mortgage, thus homeowners must be in a position to pay closing costs and other fees. A cash-out refinancing involves refinancing your current mortgage, and borrowing your home’s equity. The cash received at closing can be used for a variety of purposes such as debt consolidation, unpaid utility and medical bills, and other huge expenses.
Using Online Debt Management and Consolidation Services
Non-homeowners and bad credit individuals may be unable to transfer current credit card balances or obtain funds from a home equity loan or refinancing. In this case, online debt management and consolidation services can help. Debt management counselors will contact your creditors and negotiate lower interest rates. Moreover, the agency will consolidate your debts and freeze your credit accounts. This way, you avoid accumulating additional debt. On average, debt management agencies can reduce your monthly payments up to 60%, and help you become debt free within a few years.
Tags: Article Body, Balance Transfer, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Debt Help, Credit Score, Current Mortgage, Debt Consolidation Loan, Debt Credit, Filing Bankruptcy, Financial Experts, Flip Side, Free Individuals, Getting Out Of Debt, Home Equity Loan, Home Equity Loans, Interest Balance, Mortgage Refinancing, New Mortgage, Reducing Debt, Years Mortgage