IRS Offer in Compromise Rules - Salability of Assets

Salability, or marketability, is defined in terms of liquidity, “the ability to quickly convert property to cash or pay a liability” (IRS.gov, “Discount for Lack of Marketability: Job Aid for IRS Valuation Professionals, September 25, 2009, page 5” 8/25/2013). Under the IRS offer in compromise rules, liquidity is essentially the ability to convert an asset into cash without losing the principal. Conversion is not only specific to the term asset; it may include business, business ownership interest, and/or security.

However, liquidity differs from marketability. Used interchangeably with marketability, salability is “the capability and ease of transfer or salability of an asset, business, business ownership interest or security” (“Discount for Lack of Marketability”). Marketability is defined as the fact of salability. If it is liquid, then it is marketable. However, if it is non-marketable, then it is illiquid. “Being illiquid does not necessary mean non-marketable – it may still be sellable but not quickly or without loss of value” (“Discount for Lack of Marketability”).

When evaluating a taxpayer’s assets, the IRS will determine the ability of the asset to be converted to cash in order to satisfy the federal tax liability. The IRS will take into consideration economic factors affecting marketability.

IRS Offer in Compromise Rules - Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents

Credit Cards

According to the IRS, (the payment of) credit cards do not fall under the category of necessary living expense. It is important to consider this fact when understanding the goal of the IRS in determining your ability to pay the federal tax owed. Form 433-A will undoubtedly require the taxpayer to list all lines of credit and bank issued credit cards. On the form, the taxpayer must include the account number, the credit limit, the amount owed, and the available credit as of a particular date. In essence, the IRS encourages taxpayers to pay their federal tax liabilities using a credit card because the interest rate on the card is much lower than the interest rate plus penalties charged by the IRS. The penalties and assessments of the IRS make it more difficult for taxpayers to repay the tax balance over time, whereas paying of the owed balance on a credit card would not incur the extra added penalties typically assessed by the IRS.

Long Term Assets

Long-term assets are defined as those that fall under the categories of stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash. Taxpayers must list all long-term investments on Form 433-A. For the sake of the form, investments are defined as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, stock options, certificates of deposit, retirement assets, and corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies in which you have a business and/or financial interest.[1] You must calculate the total value of your interest, any loan balances, and the equity value (minus loan balance).

IRS Offer in Compromise Rules - Monthly Cash Flow

Monthly cash flow is determined as the ability of cash and/or earnings to come in and be expended out on a monthly basis. Form 433-A requires taxpayers to outline and calculate all categories of monthly income whether generated as wages or through investment distributions; and calculate all categories of expenses, those specific to necessary living. To obtain the net difference, you must subtract total living expenses from total income. This gives you an idea of the monthly cash flow specific to your income and living expenses.