Mike Habib, EA

Mike Habib, EA Tax Problems? Tax Audits? Back Taxes? Get Tax Help Today 1-877-78-TAXES 1-877-788-2937 Free Consul Tax relief and tax resolution services.

Nationwide tax relief for taxpayers seeking IRS tax help. The Tax Help line is 1-877-78-TAXES [1-877-788-2937]

Types of IRS & State Tax Problems — and How Mike Habib, EA Can Help If you have a letter from the IRS sitting on your ki...
05/20/2026

Types of IRS & State Tax Problems — and How Mike Habib, EA Can Help

If you have a letter from the IRS sitting on your kitchen counter that you have not opened yet, you already understand something important about tax problems: they are rarely just about numbers. A tax problem is the knot in your stomach when caller ID shows an unfamiliar number. It is the worry that your business checking account could be frozen before payroll clears. It is the quiet fear that the life you have built could be undone by a balance you did not even know how to calculate.

That fear is the real problem. The tax issue is just the thing causing it.

This guide is written for the person living with that fear. It walks through the most common types of IRS and state tax problems in a question-and-answer format, explains in clear language what each one actually means, and shows where the Los Angeles tax representation firm of Mike Habib, EA fits into the picture. The goal is not to sell you on a worst-case scenario. It is to take a subject that feels overwhelming and make it understandable — because a problem you understand is a problem you can solve.

Throughout, you will notice a recurring theme: you are the one whose future is at stake, and the firm’s job is to be the experienced guide who has walked this road many times before. Mike Habib does not take over your life. He takes over the part of it that involves tax authorities, so you can get back to the rest.

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Get reliable tax help, IRS tax relief, back taxes help, audit representation and tax problem resolution by licensed power of attorney. All 50 States. Free initial consultation 877-788-2937 . Types of IRS & State Tax Problems — and How Mike Habib, EA Can Help | Los Angeles IRS Services

Enrolled Agent vs. CPA vs. Tax Lawyer: Who Should Actually Be Handling Your Tax Problem?When people Google “tax attorney...
04/24/2026

Enrolled Agent vs. CPA vs. Tax Lawyer: Who Should Actually Be Handling Your Tax Problem?

When people Google “tax attorney vs. enrolled agent vs. CPA,” they are almost never curious in the abstract. Something has already happened. An IRS notice arrived in the mail. A Revenue Officer showed up. An EDD auditor sent a questionnaire. A Franchise Tax Board letter proposed an assessment. Payroll taxes fell behind. A client sold a business and the numbers don’t add up. In that moment, the last thing anyone needs is a three-way comparison chart written by someone who has never sat across from an Appeals Officer.

So let’s skip the textbook treatment. Here is an honest, practitioner’s view of what each of these three credentials actually does, where each one shines, where each one is overkill, and how our firm — Mike Habib, EA, based in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California — fits into that picture. We serve individuals and businesses in all 50 states and U.S. taxpayers living overseas, and we work on a flat-fee basis in most engagements. That second point matters more than most people realize, and we will come back to it.

The Short Answer, Before We Get Into the Weeds
All three credentials — Enrolled Agent (EA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and tax lawyer — can represent you before the IRS. That is where the similarities largely end. CPAs are accountants first, with some tax specialists among them. Tax attorneys (board-certified) are lawyers whose superpower is litigation, legal privilege, and complex legal questions. Enrolled Agents are the only federally licensed practitioners whose credential exists solely to represent taxpayers before the IRS. We do taxes. That is the entire job.

For most tax problems — audits, collections, unfiled returns, payroll tax disputes, offers in compromise, installment agreements, penalty abatements, EDD and FTB matters, multi-state issues, expat returns — an experienced EA firm is usually the right call. For criminal tax matters, Tax Court litigation, or complex legal structuring, a tax attorney is appropriate. For a full-scope financial audit of your company’s books, a CPA firm is appropriate.

Our firm handles the first category. We refer the second and third when they’re genuinely needed — and we’ll tell you honestly when they’re not.

When people Google "tax attorney vs. enrolled agent vs. CPA," they are almost never curious in the abstract. Something has already happened. An IRS notice arrived in the mail. A Revenue Officer ...

How to Select a Reliable Tax Resolution Firm to Resolve Your Tax Problem
02/18/2026

How to Select a Reliable Tax Resolution Firm to Resolve Your Tax Problem

The IRS sent you a notice. Now what? Here’s how to find the right help — and avoid the wrong kind.

Offer in Compromise vs. Installment AgreementOffer in Compromise vs. Installment AgreementWhich IRS Settlement Option is...
02/13/2026

Offer in Compromise vs. Installment Agreement

Offer in Compromise vs. Installment Agreement

Which IRS Settlement Option is Right for You?

When you owe the IRS more than you can pay, the anxiety can be overwhelming. Letters arrive with increasing urgency. Penalties and interest accumulate daily. The debt grows even as you struggle to figure out what to do about it. The good news is that the IRS offers legitimate programs to resolve tax debt—you don’t have to live under this weight indefinitely.

The two most common resolution options are the Offer in Compromise (OIC) and the Installment Agreement. Both can stop aggressive collection actions. Both provide a path forward. But they work very differently, qualify different taxpayers, and have different long-term implications. Choosing the wrong option—or pursuing one you don’t qualify for—wastes time and money while your debt continues to grow.

As an Enrolled Agent based in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, I help taxpayers across the country resolve IRS debt. Some clients come to me convinced they qualify for an Offer in Compromise because they saw a TV commercial promising to settle their debt for “pennies on the dollar.” Others assume a payment plan is their only option when they might actually qualify for significant debt reduction. The right answer depends entirely on your specific financial situation.

This guide explains how each program works, who qualifies, and how to determine which option makes sense for your circumstances.

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Offer in Compromise vs. Installment Agreement Which IRS Settlement Option is Right for You? When you owe the IRS more than you can pay, the anxiety can be overwhelming. Letters arrive with ...

Every year, thousands of Californians relocate to states with lower—or no—income taxes. Nevada, Texas, Florida, Arizona,...
01/30/2026

Every year, thousands of Californians relocate to states with lower—or no—income taxes. Nevada, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Washington have become popular destinations for individuals and business owners seeking relief from California’s top marginal rate of 13.3%, the highest state income tax in the nation.

But here’s what many departing residents don’t realize: simply moving to another state doesn’t automatically end your California tax obligations. The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) aggressively pursues former residents who claim to have left but maintain significant ties to California. These residency audits can result in years of back taxes, substantial penalties, and interest charges that dwarf any savings the move was supposed to provide.

As an Enrolled Agent based in Whittier, Los Angeles County, I work with clients across the country—and around the world—who face FTB residency challenges. Some come to me after receiving audit notices. Others are planning their departure and want to do it right from the start. In both cases, understanding exactly what the FTB looks for is essential to protecting yourself.

This guide explains California’s residency rules, the specific factors the FTB examines, and the steps you can take to establish clean non-residency when you leave.

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California Residency and Taxes: What the FTB Looks For When You Leave the State A Complete Guide to Establishing Non-Residency and Avoiding FTB Audits Every year, thousands of Californians ...

S-Corp Tax Mistakes That Trigger IRS Audits(And How to Avoid Them)Electing S-Corporation status for your business can pr...
01/16/2026

S-Corp Tax Mistakes That Trigger IRS Audits
(And How to Avoid Them)

Electing S-Corporation status for your business can provide significant tax advantages, including avoiding double taxation and potentially reducing self-employment taxes. However, these benefits come with strict compliance requirements that the IRS monitors closely. When S-Corp owners cut corners or misunderstand the rules, they often find themselves facing audits, penalties, and back taxes that far exceed any savings they hoped to achieve.

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S-Corp Tax Mistakes That Trigger IRS Audits (And How to Avoid Them) Electing S-Corporation status for your business can provide significant tax advantages, including avoiding double taxation and ...

2026 New Year Tax ResolutionMaking 2026 the Year You Take Control of Your TaxesAs we step into 2026, many taxpayers find...
12/31/2025

2026 New Year Tax Resolution

Making 2026 the Year You Take Control of Your Taxes
As we step into 2026, many taxpayers find themselves carrying the weight of unresolved tax issues from previous years. Whether you have unfiled returns, outstanding tax debt, or looming concerns about potential audits, the new year presents a perfect opportunity to take decisive action and put your tax troubles behind you.

The reality is that tax problems rarely resolve themselves. Interest and penalties continue to accumulate, collection actions can escalate, and the stress of unresolved tax matters can affect every aspect of your life. However, the good news is that there are legitimate pathways to tax relief, and working with an experienced tax professional can help you navigate these options effectively.

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Making 2026 the Year You Take Control of Your Taxes As we step into 2026, many taxpayers find themselves carrying the weight of unresolved tax issues from previous years. Whether you have unfiled ...

New Bipartisan Taxpayer Rights Bills: What Taxpayers Need to KnowIf you’ve been following tax news lately, you might ha...
12/05/2025

New Bipartisan Taxpayer Rights Bills: What Taxpayers Need to Know

If you’ve been following tax news lately, you might have heard about two significant bills that just passed the House of Representatives. But what do they actually mean for you as a taxpayer? And more importantly, how can they help if you’re facing IRS penalties or disputes?

As a Los Angeles-based Enrolled Agent who has represented many taxpayers through IRS audits, penalty disputes, and appeals at all administrative levels, I’m excited to break down these new developments. The FAIR Act and the Tax Court Improvement Act represent some of the most significant taxpayer protections we’ve seen in years, and they could dramatically change how the IRS handles penalty assessments and how taxpayers resolve disputes.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about these bills, answer your most pressing questions, and explain how my firm can help you navigate these new protections—especially at the IRS administrative level where most tax disputes are actually resolved.

If you've been following tax news lately, you might have heard about two significant bills that just passed the House of Representatives. But what do they actually mean for you as a taxpayer? And ...

IRS Tax Lien Upheld: What Maryland Case Means for Los Angeles BusinessesA recent Tax Court decision has sent shockwaves ...
12/04/2025

IRS Tax Lien Upheld: What Maryland Case Means for Los Angeles Businesses

A recent Tax Court decision has sent shockwaves through the tax professional community, and if you’re a Los Angeles business owner facing IRS collection issues, you need to understand what happened and why it matters to you.

The case of Horizon Health Services shows exactly what happens when a business fails to provide required documentation during Collection Due Process hearings — and it’s not pretty. As a Los Angeles-based Enrolled Agent who represents businesses at all IRS administrative levels, including Collection Due Process hearings, I want to break down this case and explain how proper representation could have changed the outcome.

Critical lessons from Mike Habib, EA — Your Los Angeles tax representation specialist

Address

13215 Penn Street #329
Whittier, CA
90602

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Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

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+15622046700

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