Market the assessment, not the settlement. Tell people an offer exists, who it may suit and that you will tell them honestly whether they qualify. Leave out percentages, "pennies on the dollar" and anything that implies a likely outcome.
Why the old pitch is a liability
In FY2025 the IRS received 38,797 offers in compromise and accepted 5,464, an acceptance rate of about 14%, down from about 21% the year before (IRS Data Book, Table 4-1). An advert that suggests most people can settle for a fraction of what they owe is describing the exception, not the rule.
That matters for two reasons. It is the kind of claim regulators have acted on, and it fills your calendar with people expecting an outcome you cannot deliver. Those consultations are long, disappointing and rarely sign.
What an honest OIC message looks like
- Name the situation: "Owe the IRS more than you could ever realistically pay?"
- Explain the option plainly: "The IRS can sometimes accept less than the full amount when someone genuinely cannot pay. It decides based on income, expenses and what you own."
- Set expectations: "Most people end up on a payment plan. An offer is one option among several."
- Offer the next step: "Book a call and we will tell you honestly which option fits your situation."
Qualify on the landing page
Because acceptance depends on ability to pay, a few questions before booking save everyone time:
- Roughly how much do you owe, and to whom?
- Are all your tax returns filed? (The IRS generally requires this before it will consider an offer.)
- Do you own property or have savings or retirement accounts?
- Has your income dropped significantly, or is it expected to?
People who answer these and still book are far more likely to be good candidates, or at least to accept an honest answer if an installment agreement suits them better.
Turn "no offer" into a client
With installment agreements in force reaching 4.87 million in FY2025, most of your OIC enquiries will end up needing a payment plan, penalty relief or help with unfiled years. Make sure the consultation is built to recommend the right option, not just to test for an offer. Firms that do this sign more of the people who came in asking about a settlement.
For the compliance side, see what the FTC's tax relief cases teach legitimate firms and our compliance standard.
Questions
Can a tax firm advertise offer in compromise services?
Yes, as long as the advertising is truthful. It should not imply that settlement is likely or that a specific reduction is typical. The FTC has taken action against tax relief companies over misleading settlement claims.
What is the IRS offer in compromise acceptance rate?
In FY2025 the IRS accepted 5,464 of 38,797 offers received, about 14.1%, according to IRS Data Book Table 4-1.
What should an OIC advert say instead of 'pennies on the dollar'?
Explain who an offer may suit (people who genuinely cannot pay the full amount), that the IRS decides based on income, expenses and assets, and that the consultation will tell them honestly whether an offer or another option fits.
Want this built for your firm? See how our tax resolution marketing works. Book a strategy call and we will walk through your lead sources, intake and cost per retained case.