Understanding Your IRS Tax Problems in the Great Lakes Region

What makes IRS tax problems unique in the Great Lakes area?

Great question, and it’s one I get asked frequently. The Great Lakes Megalopolis—spanning from Milwaukee to Buffalo and including major metropolitan areas like Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland—presents unique tax challenges that require local expertise.

First, let’s talk about the economic landscape. Our region has experienced significant industrial transformation over the past few decades. Detroit’s automotive legacy, Chicago’s diverse economy, Cleveland’s healthcare and manufacturing sectors—all of these have created specific tax situations. I’ve worked with auto suppliers dealing with bankruptcy restructuring, construction companies navigating seasonal employment issues, and tech startups trying to understand their tax obligations.

The seasonal nature of many businesses here also creates cash flow challenges. Winter hits hard in the Great Lakes, and for businesses in construction, landscaping, and outdoor hospitality, that means months of reduced income while tax obligations continue mounting. I’ve helped countless business owners structure payment plans that acknowledge these seasonal realities.

Additionally, the Great Lakes states each have their own tax systems that interact with federal obligations. Michigan has different rules than Illinois, which differs from Ohio. When you’re dealing with IRS problems, you’re often simultaneously facing state tax issues, and understanding how these systems interconnect is crucial.

Why should I work with an Enrolled Agent instead of just calling the IRS myself?

I love this question because it gives me a chance to explain what makes Enrolled Agents special—and why that matters to you.

An Enrolled Agent is a federally licensed tax practitioner with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. We’re the only tax professionals specifically licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. That means I can represent you in all 50 states for any tax matter, at any IRS office.

Here’s the reality: calling the IRS yourself is like representing yourself in court. Sure, you have the right to do it, but should you? The IRS agents you’ll speak with aren’t there to advocate for you—they’re there to collect revenue for the government. They won’t necessarily tell you about programs you qualify for or strategies that could reduce your liability.

I’ve had clients come to me after trying to handle things themselves, and they’ve often made their situation worse. They’ve said the wrong thing during an audit, missed filing deadlines that could have saved them thousands, or agreed to payment plans they couldn’t afford. One Cleveland business owner I worked with had been paying $5,000 monthly to the IRS for six months before coming to me. Within weeks, I got that reduced to $1,200 monthly through proper financial analysis and negotiation.

When you work with me, you get someone who knows the IRS playbook inside and out, speaks their language, and fights exclusively for your interests.