The beginning of the end...It's a new year and tax time is here. The IRS is on the prowl for those of you who have been putting off taking care of your debt. But now it's time to stop putting off that debt and step up to the plate because the IRS hounds are coming, and they're hungry.

Moving at a snail's pace...Granted the IRS is notoriously slow about notifying tax debtors. Sometimes it can take up to a year before some people are notified that they owe. This slowness in the system can lead some of you to believe you're safe because of the IRS bureaucracy. That kind of thinking can be fatal to your financial security.

You can't hide forever...Even if the IRS hasn't taken any kind of collection action against you, or you haven't gotten any kind of notice from them in months; there is a growing debt with your name on it. Interest and penalties start adding on to your debt from day one. And they increase the debt owed by about 25% per year.

On the march...Also during the first half of the year the IRS expands their employee roster, and takes a serious look at anyone who owes a tax debt, so it's very likely your time has come. And if you've been avoiding your debt for a while, not only is it going to be 25% larger for each year since it started; the IRS will go after you with aggressive collection actions without warning.

Know your enemy...So what can you do to avoid an IRS revenue officer from showing up on your front door? Obviously you need to become proactive about your debt. You can't put it off hoping that nothing will happen and then panicking when something does happen. Bite the bullet and call the IRS. Or if you feel the amount that you owe may be too much, get the services of a tax attorney or CPA, as they can negotiate directly with the IRS on your behalf.

Arm yourself...Depending on how much you owe, and your current financial status there are a number of ways to deal with a tax debt. For a list of the options available to you take a look at my article, "Tax Problem Help: How to Give Yourself a Fighting Chance."

The calm before the storm...I realize that trying to deal with a debt that you've been putting off can seem scary, and if you know what collection actions the IRS can come after you with, it becomes more terrifying. But it's time to stand up for yourself, to know your options, and to take back your life from the IRS.

Now you have the smoking gun...Use it!