IRS employees now have greater discretion and more flexibility in exercising options when working with tax payers including making payment adjustments for back taxes owed. Due to a suffering economy, the IRS is now trying to assist more tax payers to keep them out of collections. But in order to get leniency you must contact the IRS if you are having trouble paying your taxes.

Reasons for Financial Hardship

You may be able to get help from the IRS if you meet any of the following conditions for “financial hardship:”

• Have lost your job;
• Are dependent on Welfare or Social Security;
• Have excessively high medical bills; or
• Are facing a devastating illness.

Ways the IRS Can Help Taxpayers Avoid Collections

Instead of spending hours researching tax laws and issues you can save time by having having updates delivered to your e-mail address. Newsletters are a great way to find out about a broad range of topics that you can choose from to research more in-depth on your own.

Staying on top of changes in federal and state tax laws can be time consuming and complicated so I have prepared a list of five free newsletters resources that cater to all skill levels of those interested in taxes.

Missing a tax deadline can cost your business money. Start the new business year right by printing out a 2009 federal tax calendar and never miss another filing deadline again! To help you get better organized, I have selected three 2009 tax calendars that list important IRS filing dates in three different formats: a standard calendar, a list you can print, and a brochure-style calendar.

This years' top 3 list includes an IRS calendar, a list from "TaxMama" Eva Rosenberg, and a calendar designed by Gene Dongieux, CIO, Mercer Advisors.

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a great resource to find help to get better organized in your personal and business life. Every year in January, NAPO sponsors Get Organized (GO) Month by listing dozens of chapters with thousands of members who will hold public events throughout the country to help you get started.

Here are two articles to help you on your way to better organization!

• Three Easy Time-Saving Tips for Handling Business Receipts: If you only have time to work on your books in your spare time (which you never seem to have), three easy steps can save you time and trouble when you do sit down to enter receipts.

• How to Handle Busy Work Phones and Manage High Call Volume: Running a successful business requires using the telephone to stay in touch with your customers, clients, and other important business contacts. If you find yourself on the phone all day and unable to get to other important tasks, here are some tips for helping you to better manage your telephone time.