Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Maryland Tax Problem Resolution

What are the costs involved with retaining S.H. Block Tax Services?

The amount charged depends on the unique circumstances of your tax problem. We see each client as an individual and develop unique solutions based on their specific need. During your free consultation, we will thoroughly review and assess your situation and base our quote on what we believe to be the best course of action to resolve your claim.

Please make all payments in a timely fashion. If payment is a concern, please ask us about variable fee structures.

How long will it take to resolve my tax problem?


Every situation is different, which means that each case will vary depending on your needs. Some tax issues can be settled with a single phone call, while more in-depth cases can take over a year to resolve. The most important thing you can do to help resolve your case quickly is to keep the lines of communication open and respond to our requests for more information, documents, or signatures as quickly as possible.

What Is a Power of Attorney?

Power of Attorney is almost always the first step in any tax resolution case. A power of attorney form or Form 2848 must be submitted by an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent (EA). S.H. Block Tax Service has tax resolution down to a science and keeps our clients’ best interest at heart.

S.H. Block Tax Services Power of Attorney (POA) Service

We do not believe in charging our clients hourly fees for our services. We feel you should know what you are working toward paying off rather than a limitless or unknown number. Your fee for power of attorney with our firm includes all phone calls and meetings with our office. We make ourselves available to our clients in-person and by phone, email, and text — whatever works best for the client. Additionally, we forward our phones evenings and weekends and are available off-hours as well.

We believe in giving a very high level of service to our clients. Our POA service includes all phone calls between our office and the IRS and State; if we have a ten-minute call or a two-hour call, everything is included in the POA fee. When we start your case, we will go on record with IRS and State, alert them you have an attorney on your case, and let them know you are taking the tax matter seriously.

Having a representative means your tax problem is no longer your problem alone; it now becomes our problem as well. We list our firm as the point of contact on all POA forms, which means the IRS should contact us before you. Also, we will receive all letters from the IRS, interpret them, respond to them, and explain their meaning to you. Our POA service includes all scanning, mailing, and use of our tools and features and utilizing our office staff (within reason).

This fee includes obtaining your private records and transcripts from the IRS, as well as reviewing and investigating these transcripts and giving a determination or creating a plan of action that best suits your situation. We will do this for the State of Maryland as well. The POA fee does not include final resolution, extensive license holds, or tax preparation. Refer to your contract for more details.

Does S.H. Block Tax Services Offer Payment Arrangements?

Our firm works with taxpayers of all income levels. We offer payment arrangements and will start work on most services for half payment down. Once you pay this initial fee, you can pay your balance off in a payment arrangement. Please understand we can only finish the research and investigation stage once the fee is paid in full. If you have a license hold, we recommend you making these payments in a timely fashion. Many clients make bi-weekly payments and gradually pay the balance. Propose your intentions, and we will find a solution that works.

What About My Tax Returns?

Tax preparation and bookkeeping are not included in your POA Service fee. We do offer the option of in-house preparation, and about 90% of clients choose that option. There is a fee for filing each year that varies depending on the complexity and type of the return, but you are not obligated to file the returns with our office. We offer highly competitive pricing that is often favorable compared to chain preparers. All taxes are prepared in-house by our tax team, which has over 30 years of tax preparation experience.

Is there any paperwork involved?

Yes, but the amount will vary depending on your personal circumstances and could include the following documents:

  • Power of Attorney
  • Tax Authorization
  • Tax Preparation
  • Resolution Contract
  • Applicable Disclosures

The sooner you sign and return the documents, the sooner we will be able to work toward achieving resolution in your case.

How can I help facilitate the best possible outcome?

The best thing you can do to help us achieve a favorable outcome on your behalf is to inform us of any changes to your personal circumstances, especially as they might pertain to your finances. Also, since communication is such an important part of the attorney-client relationship, please let us know of any changes to your address, phone number, or email address. Lastly, be sure to respond to any document requests within five business days.

What can I expect from S.H. Block Tax Services?

We will do everything in our power to help you resolve your tax liability and establish financial compliance with the state of Maryland and the IRS. Our attorneys and support staff will explain the steps we are taking to resolve your case and provide comprehensive status updates at regular intervals or upon request.