Any certified tax resolution specialists out there?

[DaveO]

Thank you one and all for your comnents. Yes I was referring to the certificate received from the company and I do agree that the training received certainly is worthwhile if one is taking their business in that direction...as I am. The certificate, if nothing else, tells the client that you are more than just bumbling through the required procedures to help the client.

I just wondered how the rest of you had obtained the knowledge to do this type of tax work.

I work in a small firm where the owner has 20 years of representation experience and maintains good relationships with the IRS and State revene agents. I make an effort to be on good terms with everyone from the call center people to the district managers. I've had audits with most of the auditors and collection cases with most of the collection officers. We attend every IRS liason meeting in the area. Even had a change to visit with Nina Olson at one of them.

I have the direct numbers and/or emails for about 50 of the top IRS people in the district and for a representative number of the state people. If I have a bankruptcy issue I can email the head legal counsel for the IRS in the bankruptcy division and pose my question. If I have a tricky OIC problem I will send my draft to the appeals supervisor for his feedback. Going to these people hat in hand and asking them to share their knowledge enables me to be detailed and through in my preparations.

This relationship building has been a very important aspect of learning representation. I hope to be admitted to the tax court at some point and take it to the next level.

If you have access to Liason meetings in your area I'd encourage you to attend and get the card of any and all IRS personell in attendance.