1. You owe more than $10,000 and the balance keeps growing. Interest and penalties compound over time, so a manageable balance can snowball quickly.

2. You've received a Notice of Intent to Levy. This is one of the final steps before the IRS can garnish wages or levy a bank account, and it comes with a strict response window.

3. You're juggling multiple years of unfiled or amended returns. Resolution programs generally require you to be current on filings before they can be approved.

4. Collection calls and letters have become a regular part of your week. That stress is a sign it's time to have someone negotiate on your behalf.

5. You're not sure which IRS program you'd even qualify for. Options like an Offer in Compromise, an installment agreement, or penalty abatement all have different eligibility rules, and a specialist can tell you which path fits your situation.