You
The notice is yours.
The calls do not have to be. You keep the right to representation the whole way through.
Novato · founded 2010
Get your life back on track.
A tax notice does not have to run the household. We have been there. We stand between you and the tax man — licensed Enrolled Agents, 25 years of tax experience on the team, and a free consultation to start.
Traci T. reported over $50,000 reduced to $3,000. Tim M. reported about $140,000 down to $2,352.
Who stands there
Licensed people, not a call queue.
John Bove leads the firm. Cheri Patterson prepares current and back returns. Both are Enrolled Agents. Robert Crane has spent over 25 years in tax resolution.
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John Bove Tax Resolution CEO · Enrolled Agent Master’s in Accountancy, Sacramento State. Over 27 years. - Robert Crane Tax Resolution Specialist Over 25 years. Contributor to Success Redefined.
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Cheri Patterson Enrolled Agent since January 2022 Current and back returns for individuals and businesses.
- 2010 Founded to fix tax problems.
- 25 years of tax experience on the team.
- Thousands of customers. Millions of dollars saved in penalties, fines, and settlements.
Enrolled Agent is a license to practice before the IRS. It is not an endorsement of this firm by the IRS. Clients also post comments on Google.
We’ve been there
The notice is real. It does not have to be the whole story.
Most of these cases start as one hard year, then another, until the balance looks like a hole. You are not alone in that, and owing tax is not a crime. Willfully refusing to file in order to evade tax is.
Fix Your Tax Problem was founded in 2010. Robert Crane spent 18 years running a kayak tour on Kauai. Hurricanes in 1982 and 1992 led him to sell that business and left him with back taxes of his own. He has worked in tax resolution for over 25 years, alongside John Bove, a licensed Enrolled Agent.
That is the stance of the firm: we stand between you and the tax man. From the moment we represent you, the government agencies call us, not you. We protect your rights and ease the collection pressure.
Representation
We stand between you and the notice.
Audit, levy, lien, back taxes, and penalties are the notices this firm meets in the middle. Choose one. The note underneath is what that notice means, and how to start.
In the middle
Fix Your Tax Problem
We stand between you and the tax man. Once we represent you, the government agencies call us.
IRS and state exams
Audit
An IRS audit or exam asks for proof of the income and deductions on a return, then calculates tax, penalties, and interest. State audits sit in the same line of work. You can be represented for the whole process. The useful time to call is when the notice shows up.
Seizure of income
Levy
A levy is how income gets seized. If that notice arrives, the correspondence and the procedures that follow it need to be handled in order, and quickly.
Claim on assets
Lien
A lien is how assets get tied up. It is a different tool from a levy, and it still needs a response. We take the correspondence so the steps the IRS requires actually get followed.
Unfiled or unpaid years
Back taxes
It is not against the law to owe taxes. It is against the law to willfully decide not to file in order to avoid or evade taxes. A lot of cases start as one year, then the next, until the hole looks huge. Filing the missing returns is the start.
Abatement request
Penalty
Penalties can keep accruing until the tax is paid, even when there was a reason for missing the deadline. A penalty abatement request that is denied cannot be made again on the same grounds, so the request has to be as strong as the facts allow.
What clients reported
The outcomes are theirs. The words are too.
The firm has worked with thousands of customers and says it has helped save millions of dollars in penalties, fines, and settlements. These notes are the specific results clients wrote down. They are not a promise about the next case.
Traci T. — over $50,000 reduced to
$50k reduced to $3000
I am so grateful to Bob and all of his team. I went through a stressful 3.5 year long process of getting back taxes owed to the IRS of over $50,000 reduced down to only having to pay the IRS $3000. A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I finally feel like I can breathe again after 3.5 years. Thank you, Bob, for everything!
Dermian R. — a large tax debt settled for less than 2%
Happiest Guy in Idaho!!
Bob and his team have been helping me with my offer in compromise for a few years and I cannot express how highly I recommend their services for anyone needing help with their taxes. In the end, they guided me through a foreclosure and were able to settle a large tax debt for less than 2% of the debt! Hiring FYTP was one of the best investments I've ever made.
Tim M. — about $140k down to
Tax liability reduced from $140k to $2352
After a conversation with Bob Crane, I could feel a sense of relief and confidence that everything was going to be alright. I'm happy to say that they submitted an Offer in Compromise that was literally less than pennies on the dollar and after a counter by the IRS my tax liability went from about $140k down to $2352... The day John called me with the news, I was in total disbelief as to how this could be true. Thank you so much for getting me back my life and preparing me for a fresh start.
Financial and emotional burden lifted
I worked extensively with John on an OIC (offer in compromise) with the IRS. He did a great job of explaining and then executing the game plan for my particular problem. The end result was that my OIC was accepted and thus, a big financial and emotional burden was lifted.
Changed our lives for the better!
After 10 years of financial stress and owing the IRS 70,000, I was living in fear, hopeless about my future and completely ignorant of what to do next. The IRS put liens on my income and our bank accounts and left us nothing to live on. We experienced Bob's unbelievable patience with us as he explained (for probably the hundredth time) that this CAN be worked out. Today finally...the good news arrived! The IRS accepted our Offer in Compromise!!! Unbelievable!
My life and general health is far better than before
When I first met Bob Crane of Fix your Tax Problem I knew I was talking to a man of compassion and a deep seated willingness to help people live a better life. My case was won and I am now able to complete my payoff to the IRS. My life and general health is far better than before. Many blessings to these fine people and the wonderful service they offer. I have recommended to others already.
My life is squared away and peaceful
The transparency of this company is amazing, and a depth of knowledge of the IRS that is unmatched. Fix Your Tax Problem made me feel like I was on a winning team. I was excited for my family's future. My final bill was now surmountable. Thanks to FYTP I have no one haunting me, my life is squared away and peaceful. Thank you.
What we actually handle
Seven lines of work. One case at a time.
Each tax case is different, so the first job is to understand yours. These are the published lines of work: what the problem is, and what representation does with it.
Offer in Compromise
An arrangement that can settle a tax liability for less than the full amount when IRS rules say you qualify.
We assess ability to pay, income, living expenses, and asset value. When you qualify, we make the case to the IRS.
Back Taxes
Owing tax is not a crime. Willfully refusing to file in order to evade tax is. Many balances start as one year, then another.
We help file previous returns and work to get the balance dealt with before penalties keep stacking.
IRS and State Audits
An audit or exam is a request for proof of income and deductions, plus the calculation of tax, penalties, and interest.
You have the right to representation through the process. Call when the notice arrives.
Installment Agreements
A monthly agreement to pay tax debt over time. Interest and late-payment penalties can still accrue.
We assess the IRS criteria and negotiate the agreement.
Liens and Levies
Levies seize income. Liens seize assets. Either one can change what you can live on.
We manage the correspondence so the proper procedures are followed.
Penalty Abatement
Penalties for filing late, paying late, or mistakes can keep running until the tax is paid.
We help submit the abatement request. A denial cannot be reopened on the same grounds, so the first request has to be the strong one.
Failure to File or Pay
The failure-to-file penalty and the failure-to-pay penalty are separate, and both can apply.
Earlier contact improves the chance of settling the debt. Do not wait for the worst notice.
People
The people who take the case from here.
John Bove is CEO and a licensed Enrolled Agent. Robert Crane is the tax resolution specialist. Cheri Patterson is an Enrolled Agent. Biljana Kelly supports operations, and Angela Wright supports sales.
John Bove
Tax Resolution CEO
John Bove is the CEO of Fix Your Tax Problem, Inc. He has over 27 years of experience in tax resolution and holds a Master’s degree in Accountancy from Sacramento State. He is a licensed Enrolled Agent.
Robert Crane
Tax Resolution Specialist
Robert Crane, who goes by Bob, has been in tax resolution for over 25 years. He ran a kayak tour on Kauai for 18 years. Hurricanes in 1982 and 1992 led him to sell that business and left him with back taxes of his own. He lives in San Rafael with his wife Mary, and he contributed to the book Success Redefined. Read about Success Redefined.
Cheri Patterson
Enrolled Agent
Cheri Patterson received her Enrolled Agent credentials in January 2022. She started preparing tax returns 15 years ago and is in her sixth year with the firm. She prepares current and back returns for individuals and businesses.
Biljana Kelly
Executive Assistant, Operations
Biljana Kelly works in operations. She came from financial operations in larger companies, and she says working with people is her real passion.
Angela Wright
Executive Assistant, Sales
Angela Wright supports sales. She has been with Fix Your Tax Problem for a year and a half.
From Robert Crane
See how we can fix your tax problem.
“Top 10 Tax Solutions,” with Robert Crane.
How a case starts
A conversation, then a plan, then the IRS.
The free consultation is that first conversation. There is no form on this page and no document upload. You tell the story. We listen, ask questions, and start from there.
- 1
Solutions-focused consultation
Tell us your story. We listen, ask questions, and start the conversation.
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Planning
Once we understand the situation, we take over communication with the IRS and gather what a custom strategy needs.
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Negotiation
We negotiate with the IRS on your behalf until we reach the best outcome the facts support.
Questions people ask
Before you call.
Who talks to the government once you represent me?
From the moment we represent you, the government agencies will call us, not you. We ease the collection pressure they put on you.
Is it illegal to owe taxes?
It is not against the law to owe taxes. It is against the law to willfully decide not to file tax returns in order to avoid or evade taxes.
What is an offer in compromise?
An offer in compromise is an arrangement that can settle a tax liability for less than the full amount when you qualify under IRS rules. We look at ability to pay, income, living expenses, and asset value, then make the case.
What happens on a free consultation?
Your tax relief journey begins with an empathetic, professional, and solutions-focused consultation. Tell us your story. We listen, ask questions, and start the conversation.
Do you only work in Novato?
The office is in Novato, California. Client tax cases have been resolved in all fifty states.
What if a penalty abatement request is denied?
If you submit a penalty abatement request and it is denied, you cannot make a request on the same grounds again. The first request has to be as strong as the facts allow.
Free consultation
Check tax problems off your list.
Call, or ask for a free consultation on the firm’s contact page. Tell us the story. We listen, ask questions, and start the conversation. Nothing here asks for a Social Security number or a document upload.