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Tax controversy
FTA · reasonable cause · statutory

IRS Penalty Abatement. Remove the penalties, keep the tax.

IRS penalties (late filing, late payment, accuracy-related, failure to deposit) can equal or exceed the underlying tax. Three grounds for abatement: First-Time Abatement (FTA - most reliable, used once per 3-year window), Reasonable Cause (illness, disaster, reliance on professional, unavoidable absence), or Statutory Exception. We file Form 843 or written request, document the basis, and negotiate. Often saves 20-25% of the tax + penalty bill.

All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle Conservation Easement, end-to-end.

A conservation easement is a permanent restriction on the use of land, typically donated to a qualified land trust to preserve the land's natural or open-space character.

1

Eligibility review

Land must have conservation value: scenic, ecological, historic, open-space, or recreational. We assess whether your land qualifies. Most rural and undeveloped properties do; urban properties rarely.

2

Land trust selection

Donation must be to a qualified land trust (501(c)(3)). We refer to local and national land trusts (Land Trust Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, regional trusts). They accept the easement and hold the restriction in perpetuity.

3

Engineering + appraisal

Engineering work documents the conservation value. Qualified appraisal determines diminished land value (the deduction amount). IRS scrutinizes appraisals; we use highly credentialed appraisers with conservation easement experience.

4

Legal documentation + closing

Easement document recorded with county recorder. Permanent restriction runs with the land. Donor receives appraisal-supported deduction. Coordination with attorney specializing in conservation easements.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent conservation easement pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

Single-year FTA request

$699
First-time abatement

Single-year FTA request. Best for clean compliance history with one missed deadline. High approval rate.

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Complex / business penalty package

$3,499
Trust fund / accuracy

Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) defense, accuracy-related penalty defense, multi-year corporate penalty package. For complex business situations + counsel involvement.

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FAQ

About the Conservation Easement Service.

What is IRS penalty abatement?
Penalty abatement is the IRS reducing or removing penalties, for late filing, late payment, or failure to deposit, when you qualify, either through first-time abatement or by showing reasonable cause. Interest generally remains, but penalties can be significant. We help you identify when abatement applies and pursue it.
What is first-time penalty abatement?
It is an administrative waiver the IRS grants for a single period if you have a clean recent compliance history, no penalties in the prior few years, filed required returns, and paid or arranged to pay. It is often the easiest relief, and we flag when you qualify.
What is reasonable cause?
Reasonable cause is a legitimate reason you failed to comply, such as serious illness, a natural disaster, or reliance on incorrect professional advice, that the IRS may accept to remove penalties. Documentation matters, and we help you frame and support a reasonable-cause request.
Can I get penalties removed but still owe tax?
Yes: abatement removes or reduces penalties, but the underlying tax and generally the interest remain, so it lowers the total owed without eliminating the debt. We flag this so you understand what abatement does and does not resolve.
How do I request penalty abatement?
By requesting it from the IRS, sometimes by phone for first-time abatement or in writing with documentation for reasonable cause, tied to the specific penalty and period. We help you determine which applies and coordinate the request so it is properly supported.
Does interest get abated too?
Usually not: interest is generally not abated except in narrow circumstances, since it is statutory, so abatement typically addresses penalties rather than interest. We flag this so your expectations match what abatement can achieve.
What if I have penalties in multiple years?
First-time abatement applies to one period, but reasonable cause may cover multiple years if a qualifying reason applies, so the approach depends on your history. We help you assess which relief fits which period so you pursue the strongest path.
Should I stay compliant to qualify?
Yes: a clean compliance history helps for first-time abatement, and being current on filings and payments supports any request, so staying compliant matters. We keep your entity's filings current so you preserve eligibility for relief.
Can File.Business help with penalty abatement?
We keep your entity and filings compliant, which supports abatement, flag whether first-time or reasonable-cause relief fits your situation, and coordinate with a tax professional to request it, so you do not simply accept penalties that could be reduced or removed.
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220,000+ businesses. 60-day money-back. State fees passed through at cost.
Your operating system, not a transaction
Every deadline auto-tracked across your entities. Compliance Score visible year-round.
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No upsells at checkout. State fees disclosed upfront.

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