The Process

How the IRS Account Review Works

No surprises, no guesswork. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you request your free report to the moment it lands in your hands.

✓ Licensed CPAs Only ✓ Free Report ✓ Federal & State Coverage ✓ Individuals, Businesses & Trusts
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Six Steps From Request to Report

Every report follows the same thorough process. Here is what happens at each stage and why.

1
Step 1

You Request Your Report

Go to our secure portal and fill in your basic identifying information. Name, Social Security Number or EIN, address, and tax years you want covered. No credit card, no payment, no commitment.

This information is used solely to prepare your Form 2848 authorization and is handled with strict confidentiality under CPA professional standards.

Takes about 5 minutes. You will receive a confirmation once your request is received and a CPA is assigned to your account.
2
Step 2

You Sign Form 2848 (Power of Attorney)

We prepare a Form 2848 for your signature. This is the official IRS Power of Attorney form that authorizes KGOB CPAs & Advisors to access your IRS records on your behalf. Individuals provide their Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, and businesses provide their Employer Identification Number (EIN) on the form. Without this form, the IRS will not release your transcripts to anyone other than you.

Signing Form 2848 is a limited authorization. It gives your CPA the ability to view your records and communicate with the IRS. It does not give anyone authority to make tax decisions for you, enter agreements on your behalf, or take any action without your approval.

What Form 2848 does NOT do: It does not give anyone access to your bank accounts, the ability to file returns on your behalf, or authority to enter any IRS agreement without your express written consent.
3
Step 3

The IRS Processes Your Authorization

Once your signed Form 2848 is submitted to the IRS, they review and process it on their end. The IRS typically takes a few business days to process the authorization before they make your records available to your representative.

This is an IRS processing step and is outside our control. We will keep you updated along the way so you always know where things stand. Some requests are processed faster, some take a bit longer depending on current IRS workload.

During this time your assigned CPA is already reviewing what information is available and preparing to pull your complete transcript the moment access is granted.
4
Step 4

A Licensed CPA Reviews Your Transcripts

Once access is granted, your assigned CPA at KGOB CPAs & Advisors pulls your complete IRS account transcripts. These are the official, unfiltered records the IRS holds on your tax account.

Your CPA reviews every line. That means every tax year, every balance due, every penalty assessed, every payment posted, every notice issued, any tax liens filed, any collection actions, and whether the IRS has prepared any substitute returns on your behalf.

For business accounts, this includes Form 941 payroll tax records, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) exposure, and entity-level compliance issues. For trusts and estates, this includes Form 1041 filing status and any open obligations.

This is real CPA work. Not software, not AI, not automation. A licensed accountant reviews your records the same way they would for any client engagement.
5
Step 5

You Receive Your Written Report

Your CPA compiles everything into a structured, written report in plain English. No IRS transaction codes, no jargon, no confusing abbreviations. Just a clear explanation of exactly what is on your account.

Your report includes a complete account summary covering all balances and penalties, identification of every IRS notice and what triggered it, any unfiled years or substitute returns prepared by the IRS, any tax liens or active collection actions, and a clear list of relief options that apply to your situation including penalty abatement eligibility, installment agreement options, offer in compromise qualification, and Currently Not Collectible status if applicable.

You will also have 30-day Q&A access to your reviewing CPA to ask questions about anything in the report.

The report is yours. It is a written document you keep, share with an attorney if needed, or use to make informed decisions about your next steps.
6
Step 6 (Optional)

Engage KGOB for Resolution (If Needed)

If your report reveals issues and you want KGOB CPAs & Advisors to help resolve them, that is a separate conversation. Your reviewing CPA will walk you through every option and every cost clearly before any work begins.

Resolution services include penalty abatement, offer in compromise (OIC) negotiations, installment agreement setup, levy and lien release, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty defense, innocent spouse relief, and state tax resolution.

Many clients receive their report and find their account is in good standing. Others discover issues they can resolve themselves with guidance from the report. And some choose to engage KGOB for active representation. All three outcomes are valid and the choice is entirely yours.

No pressure. Resolution services are a separate engagement with a separate agreement. The free report stands on its own and you are never obligated to take any further action.

What Is an IRS Transcript?

An IRS transcript is the raw, official record of your tax account. Most people have never seen one. Here is what it actually contains.

📋 What Your Transcript Shows

  • Every tax return filed and accepted
  • Every payment posted to your account
  • Every penalty assessed and why
  • Every IRS notice issued
  • Any tax liens the IRS has filed
  • Active collection actions (levies, wage garnishment)
  • IRS-prepared substitute returns (if any)
  • Offer in compromise history
  • Installment agreement status
  • Collection Statute Expiration Dates (CSED)

🔍 What Our CPAs Look For

  • Balances you may not know about
  • Penalties eligible for abatement
  • Unfiled years that need attention
  • Substitute returns with inflated balances
  • Liens affecting credit or property sales
  • TFRP exposure for business owners
  • Debts nearing the 10-year collection statute
  • OIC eligibility based on current balance
  • State agency discrepancies
  • Notices that require urgent response

Understanding Form 2848

Form 2848 is the standard IRS Power of Attorney form. It is the only way a CPA or tax professional can legally access your IRS records on your behalf. The IRS requires it for all third-party transcript requests.

Here is exactly what signing Form 2848 does and does not authorize:

✓ It Authorizes

Your CPA to view your IRS transcripts and account records

✓ It Authorizes

Your CPA to communicate with the IRS about your account

✓ It Authorizes

Your CPA to represent you in IRS matters if you choose to engage for resolution

✓ It Authorizes

Access to specific tax years and account types you designate

✗ It Does NOT Authorize

Access to your bank accounts or financial accounts

✗ It Does NOT Authorize

Filing returns or entering IRS agreements without your approval

✗ It Does NOT Authorize

Any action or decision made on your behalf without your consent

✗ It Does NOT Authorize

Access to tax years or accounts not specified on the form

You can revoke Form 2848 at any time by submitting a written revocation to the IRS. Your authorization is fully in your control from start to finish.

Common Questions About the Process

Form 2848 is the IRS Power of Attorney form. It authorizes KGOB CPAs & Advisors to access your IRS transcripts on your behalf. To complete the form, individuals provide their Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, and businesses provide their Employer Identification Number (EIN). Without it, the IRS will not release your records to anyone other than you. It is a standard, limited authorization used by every CPA and tax professional who works with the IRS on a client's behalf.
The IRS typically takes a few business days to process Form 2848 before releasing records to your authorized representative. Processing times can vary depending on IRS workload and submission method. We will keep you updated throughout the process so you always know where things stand.
An IRS transcript is the official, complete record of your tax account. It shows every return filed, every payment made, every penalty assessed, every notice issued, any tax liens filed, and any collection actions taken. It also shows whether the IRS has prepared a substitute return on your behalf, which happens when returns go unfiled.
The report is completely free. There is no hidden fee, no automatic enrollment, and no obligation. The report itself is the service. If issues are found and you choose to engage KGOB for active resolution, those services are separate with fees that depend on your specific situation. Your CPA will explain all of that clearly before any work begins.
Yes. The review covers individuals, businesses of all types (LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, sole proprietors), and trusts and estates. Business reviews include Form 941 payroll tax accounts, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty exposure, and entity-level penalties. Just indicate your account type when you request your report and your CPA will review the right records.
That is a great outcome. Many clients request the report specifically to confirm their account is clean before a major financial event like selling a business, applying for a loan, or settling an estate. A clean report gives you documented confirmation of compliance from a licensed CPA. That certainty has real value.
The standard report focuses on federal IRS records. State tax coverage is available depending on your state and the authorization obtained. If you have received a state tax notice or have concerns about a specific state account, let us know when you request and we will confirm what is available for your state.

Ready to See What the IRS Has on You?

It is free, thorough, and written in plain English by a licensed CPA. No surprises, no pressure.

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