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American Society of Tax Problem Solvers
Williamsville, NY · EIN 113719486 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S41 · Community Improvement · Small ($100K-$1M) · astps.org
revenue
$409K
expenses
$437K
net assets
$34K
employees
0
program ratio
4%
mission · from form 990

Organization sponsors seminars and training to assist tax professionals; mainly attorneys, Enrolled Agents and Certified Public Accountants, to properly assist taxpayers in resolving tax issues with the IRS. Emphasizes representation in a professional manner consistent with Circular 230 Rules.

profile · synthesized from sources

The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) is a professional education organization that trains tax professionals—primarily CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and attorneys—in tax resolution practices. It offers intensive, cohort-based training programs to help practitioners represent taxpayers in disputes with the IRS. The organization emphasizes practical skills, compliance with Circular 230, and building profitable tax resolution practices.

named programs · 1 · from sources

What they call their work

Tax Resolution Accelerator
Intensive, cohort-based training program that teaches tax professionals how to resolve IRS cases, including liens, levies, installment agreements, and Offers in Compromise. Offered in hybrid (in-person and virtual) formats over four days.
activities · 2 groups

What they do

  • Professional Education and Certification for Financial and Estate Planners 7 activities
    • Delivering practice-building and business development support
      Provides comprehensive practice-building resources for tax professionals launching or expanding tax resolution practices, including marketing systems, client conversion strategies, revenue optimization programs, and ready-to-use marketing content. Offers monthly marketing meetings, critiques of marketing materials, and a structured three-part program covering launch, client acquisition, and case delivery.
    • Distributing educational tools and templates
      Provides practical tools such as 16 flowcharts for IRS case processes, dozens of templates (including engagement letters and penalty abatement requests), guides on amending returns and setting up client files, and case study exercises using real-life tax resolution scenarios to support new and experienced practitioners.
    • Hosting conferences and webinars with CE/CPE credit
      Hosts annual and seasonal conferences—including spring, summer, winter, and a three-day Super Conference—featuring advanced training sessions, expert instructors, and continuing professional education (CE/CPE) credits. Also offers free and premium webinars, ethics training, and monthly technical sessions that provide NASBA- and IRS-approved education for tax professionals.
    • Offering direct consultation and coaching services
      Provides direct support to tax professionals through one-on-one phone consultations with Certified Tax Resolution Specialists, personalized case consulting, live Q&A sessions, and monthly group coaching calls with top practitioners to discuss real client cases and receive strategic guidance.
    • Operating a professional community and membership network
      Operates a professional community of over 1,600 tax resolution practitioners, offering membership that includes access to educational resources, networking opportunities, technical libraries, and insights on tax resolution trends. Membership also provides participation in live coaching calls, group consultations, and peer learning forums.
    • Providing certification for tax resolution professionals
      Administers the Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (CTRS) designation, requiring completion of over 50 hours of specialized training, passage of a comprehensive exam, and demonstration of advanced knowledge in tax law and IRS procedures. Certified professionals must complete at least 12 hours of annual continuing education to maintain their credential.
    • Sponsoring training seminars for tax professionals
      Sponsors seminars and training programs for tax professionals—including attorneys, Enrolled Agents, and Certified Public Accountants—to improve their skills in representing taxpayers before the IRS and resolving complex tax cases. Training includes foundational and advanced curricula, continuing education, and hands-on case studies using real IRS scenarios.
  • Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
    • Connecting taxpayers with credentialed professionals
      Connects individuals facing IRS issues with credentialed tax professionals who offer free initial consultations for tax problem resolution, facilitating access to qualified representation.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$409K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$374K91%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$35K
expenses
Total expenses$437K
Program expenses4%
Admin / overhead96%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$250K
Cash$52K
Investments$0
Liabilities$216K
Net assets$34K
Liquid reserves1.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 2
  • John J Witkowski — Director
  • Lawrence M Lawler — Executive Direc
relationships · 23

Who they work with

  • ADP Partner — Exclusively endorsed payroll and HR partner providing solutions for accounting professionals
  • American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) Network — Required membership organization for Certified Tax Resolution Specialists, providing access to expert networks and resources.
  • Florida Tax Solvers Partner — Steve Klitzner's firm, which is 100% focused on IRS tax resolution and informs his instructional role in the Accelerator program.
  • IRS Government — Approved provider for continuing education required to maintain CTRS designation
  • IRS Government — Provides IRS-approved continuing education content for members.
  • IRS Pro Scripts Partner — Partner company offering editable call scripts for communicating with the IRS.
  • IRS Solutions Partner — Software partner offering a tax resolution and IRS monitoring platform for managing IRS cases and submissions
  • Internal Revenue Service Government — Approves ASTPS training courses for CE/CPE credit
  • Lawler & Witkowski, CPAs, PC Partner — Hosts ASTPS leadership and instructors who are managing partners and senior consultants at the firm.
  • Lawler & Witkowski, CPAs, PC Partner — Larry Lawler's firm, where LG Brooks also serves as Senior Tax Resolution Consultant; used as a professional base for instructors involved in the training program.
  • Lawler & Witkowski, CPAs, PC Partner — Professional accounting firm co-founded by ASTPS founding members Larry Lawler and John Witkowski, serving as a practice base and operational model for ASTPS training.
  • NASBA Government — Approved provider for continuing education required to maintain CTRS designation
  • NASBA Government — Approves ASTPS training courses for CE/CPE credit
  • NASBA Government — Provides NASBA-approved continuing education content for members.
  • PitbullTax Partner — Software partner whose tax resolution program is used by hundreds of ASTPS members and featured in ASTPS trainings
  • Skool Partner — Hosts the private Practice Builders community platform for member interaction and program delivery.
  • Surgent Partner — Education partner offering an Enrolled Agent review course with a special deal available through ASTPS
  • Tax Resolution Pros Network — Online community for tax resolution professionals affiliated with ASTPS.
  • Tax Resolution Software Partner — Partner company providing software to help tax resolution practitioners organize cases and make recommendations.
  • TaxCure Partner — Marketplace partner connecting tax resolution professionals with clients seeking tax relief services
  • TaxDome Partner — Technology partner providing a digital workspace for tax professionals to manage firm operations and clients
  • Ultimate IRS Communicator Partner — Partner company providing pre-written IRS response letters for tax resolution professionals.
  • enQ Partner — Service partner that reduces wait times for tax professionals contacting the IRS through call queuing technology
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Advocacy-Centered Representation Model
    methodology: advocacy_centered_representation
    By framing tax representation as an act of advocacy and service, the organization cultivates a professional identity that prioritizes client defense over technical compliance, because this moral framing increases tenacity, ethical commitment, and client trust in IRS disputes.
  • Peer-Supported Professional Development
    methodology: peer_supported_development
    By fostering peer networks and collective problem-solving among tax professionals, the organization improves client outcomes and professional resilience, because shared experience and mutual support reduce isolation and enhance practical learning.
  • System-Based Training for Tax Resolution
    methodology: system-based_training
    By providing a standardized, structured system for tax resolution, the organization enables professionals to achieve success regardless of prior experience, because consistent methodologies reduce complexity and increase effectiveness in resolving IRS cases.