Should practitioners offer free consultations to IRS collection clients?

No. Offering free consultations often attracts individuals who are not serious about resolving their tax issues. These potential clients may be \”shopping around,\” looking for free advice, or unwilling to invest in a solution. Charging a consultation fee helps filter out non-committal inquiries and signals that the practitioner\’s time and expertise are valuable. It also encourages the client to take the engagement seriously and is more likely to lead to a paid, retained relationship.