The IRS may now purport to be a "kinder and friendlier" agency, but don't be fooled into thinking that its tax agents are your friends. They're not; they're just doing their job: to collect the maximum amount of taxes, penalties and interest from you.

If you owe money to the IRS, the simple fact is that you are no match for their relentless collection techniques.

Every day, individual and business taxpayers make the costly mistake of representing themselves in a conflict with the IRS or their state's Department of Taxation.

Although Revenue Officers initially present themselves in a friendly way and seem willing to settle your tax liability problems, keep in mind that IRS employees are required to protect the interests of the United States Treasury. They are always striving to achieve the highest recovery for their employer, the government.

In such a situation, the unknowing and inexperienced taxpayer often mistakenly agrees to a stiff payment plan that ends up costing far more than it would have had the taxpayer retained competent tax representation. The fact is that experienced professionals are far better equipped than you to protect your rights, seek a resolution that is in your best interest, and settle your tax problems.