There's no doubt that stress negatively impacts health. Overeating, drinking to excess, and an inability to sleep are just some of the offshoots of stress that can start a downward spiral into disease.
CPA Victoria J. Burns, author and managing director for the BBB accredited AmeriPride Tax Group understands the negative effects of stress. Many of her clients come to her because they feel overwhelmed and helpless against a rising tide of tax debt. In her article titled, "Dealing with IRS Tax Debt" she addresses the steps people can take to deal with tax debt issues and advocates choosing a professional adviser to help.
According to Victoria, people can take control of their health by taking control of their tax debt situation.
Dealing with Tax Debt to Get Healthy
The problem with IRS tax debt is that it can impact every area of a person's life.
"The IRS is relentless in its pursuit of taxpayers who fall out of compliance with their system," says Victoria. "Unpaid tax debt can lead to wage garnishments, liens and bank levies. These tactics are financially challenging and socially embarrassing. Everyone from the postal worker who delivers the notices to the human resources team who processes payroll, to the clerks at the bank who receive the levy now know that the taxpayer is in trouble. Sometimes this is harder to bear than the financial burden, which can also be very significant."
Ironically, just as with any other stress-or, facing the problem head on is the best way to deal with it.
"When people contact a CPA for help it's usually because the problem has grown beyond their ability to resolve it. They are worried, scared and have a significant amount of anxiety."
Individuals and businesses with current and back tax issues often isolate themselves from the very people who can help them to cope. Attempting to hide the problem from friends, family and co-workers can be emotionally draining and counter productive. It is essential to reach out for emotional support and to find a competent adviser to help alleviate stress.
"Hiring a qualified CPA can reduce the stress almost immediately," says Victoria. "This happens for several reasons. The first is that they will contact the IRS to let them know that the taxpayer wants to deal with the problem."
According to Victoria, the IRS often stops aggressive collection tactics once a taxpayer shows that they are taking steps to deal with tax debt issues. This can give the taxpayer breathing room and allow time to work on the root of the problem.
"Being on the receiving end of a bank levy or wage garnishment can be frightening," says Victoria. "Feeling alone during the crisis exacerbates the stress reaction, which only makes the problem worse because it impedes decision-making. Hiring a competent professional can mitigate the stress factors, which can help the taxpayer to get onto a positive spiral of reduced stress."
Within a few days of retaining a professional, most taxpayers experience a significant decrease in their stress and anxiety levels, which can lead to an almost immediate improvement in health. Empowered with the mental space to deal with the challenge, they can work toward resolution, which can prevent negative stress reactions in the future.
More Steps to Reducing Stress and Improving Your Health
It's virtually impossible to eliminate stress completely from life. However, there are steps that can be taken to manage challenges as they come and minimize the harmful effects of anxiety. This can include having a healthy diet, finding time for uninterrupted relaxation, getting rest, and sharing time with friends.
Nina Vultaggio - Nina Vultaggio is a prolific writer and writing coach. With over 20 years of experience creating compelling copy for marketing material, ...
