Thousand Oaks, CA – Two local companies have teamed up to host free taxpayer and consumer debt workshops beginning in October, 2009. The workshops, developed by Flam Financial Services LLC and Diversified Debt Solutions LLC, will outline strategies used to combat tax and consumer debt.
The consumer debt portion of the workshops will address credit counseling, debt settlement and bankruptcy, while the tax portion will highlight offers in compromise, installment agreements, lien and levy releases and bankruptcy. “We don’t want to push consumers toward one option to manage their debt,” says Doug Hutton, President of Diversified Debt Solutions. “Rather, it is our goal to present the pros and cons of every option so that the attendees can make an educated decision about what they feel will work best for them.”
With unemployment approaching 10%, households across the country are accumulating debt at a staggering rate. Doug Hutton has seen first-hand the impact the ailing economy has had on consumers. “Between unemployment, stagnant wages and decreasing sales commissions, people are having a more difficult time than ever before managing their debt,” adds Hutton. “People are being forced to choose between keeping a roof over their head and putting food on their table.”
Along with consumer debt, tax debt is becoming a major issue. The IRS is increasing efforts to collect tax revenue, evidenced by more than 1.1 million correspondence audits planned for this year. Harvey Flam, Managing Partner at Flam Financial and a local accountant, will be discussing tax debt and cancelation of consumer debt at the October workshop. “I have noticed a growing uncertainty among taxpayers regarding how to address tax debt,” says Harvey. “They hear ads on the radio promising to settle their debt for pennies on the dollar, and are convinced that they can get their tax debt eliminated. And while this may be an option for some taxpayers, the majority will have to use other means to address their back taxes.”
The first workshop will be hosted on October 21st, 2009 at the Dougherty Law Offices. The workshop will run from 5:45PM to 6:30PM, leaving time for a question and answer session. Space is limited for the first workshop, so it is recommended that prospective attendees RSVP in advance. More information is provided at http://debtworkshop.flamfinancial.com/
