On May 21, 2012, the IRS announced more flexible offer in compromise terms to help a greater number of struggling taxpayers make a fresh start. Per its announcement: “The Internal Revenue Service today announced another expansion of its ‘Fresh Start’ initiative by offering more flexible terms to its Offer in Compromise (OIC) program that will enable some of the most financially distressed taxpayers to clear up their tax problems and in many cases more quickly than in the past.”

This phase of Fresh Start will assist some taxpayers who have faced the most financial hardship in recent years,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “It is part of our multi-year effort to help taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet.”