Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Montano.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice but decided not to go into law enforcement, I went to work for Internal Revenue Service. I worked on the collection call-in site for one year and then became a field collector and manager in the LA/Valley. I worked for IRS for about nine years. One of my bosses and mentors at IRS decided to leave IRS and form a Tax Debt Resolution company. He and I worked well together and asked me to join him. That was 28 years ago. He would run the Orange County office and I ran the Santa Monica/WLA office. In the last five years, we have merged the two offices and now only have the WLA office. My partner decided to retire which he did in November 2019.
In the past, my partner handled the administrative aspects of the company and I was responsible in obtaining new clients and bringing in the revenue. Now that he’s retired, I am learning the important part of balancing the administrative and revenue generating duties.
As a Tax Problem Specialist, we handle clients with personal and business tax problems, where they may owe from $20,000 to several million and clients that have not filed from 2-15 years. Our average client has not filed 5 to 6 years. The firm, Demetriou, Montano ans Associates work with the Federal and State Tax Agencies on the behalf of our clients. Work out payment plans, hardships, a settlement where the client pays less than what they owe and dispute liabilities when in fact the client does not owe. We provide a Free Consultation to make sure we are able to provide assistance and meet the client’s objectives. We have clients all over the USA so we are not limited to just California.
On a personal note, I was born in Santa Fe, NM and I hope to go back home to live one of these days. Time will tell. However, when you live in California most of your life, you get spoiled with the California weather. How can you beat it?!
I have two beautiful grown daughters and four grandchildren ranging from 16 years old to the youngest, two years old. I look forward hanging out and playing with my grandchildren.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In regards to my business, like any business owner, you are always faced with challenges. I believe you surround yourself with the right people, mentors and professionals, you will get through it. Family support is also crucial as you tackle the various problems as a business owner.
Some of the struggles would be finding the right staff. Dealing with competition and declining revenue. With the internet and the tax agencies making it easier for the taxpayer to possibly handle their own tax problem and not have to hire a professional like myself.
Please tell us about Demetriou, Montano & Associates.
Demetriou, Montano & Associates specializes in Tax Debt Resolution. We handle both individual and business clients that may owe from $20,000 to several million. Clients that have not filed from 2-15 years and our average client has not filed 5 to 6 years. With a Power of Attorney, we interact with the Federal and State tax agencies to work out some type of resolution, whether it be a payment plan, a hardship, a settlement or dispute the erroneous assessment.
I am proud that we have been in business since 1989. We must be doing something right when our competitors are only in business for a few years. We have built a reputation that we are knowledgeable and most important, care about our clients. We are a small firm and when a potential client calls in, they speak with the owner and not a salesperson. I truly get the satisfaction when I am able to resolve the client’s tax problem and they are able to put the IRS nightmare behind them.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Playing little league baseball when my dad was the coach. Building a go cart with my dad from scrap metal and an old lawn mower as well as going dirt bike riding.
My mom taking me to Farmer’s Market once a month to have lunch and being able to shop at the toy store.
Pricing:
- Free Consultation /over the phone or in person when we can sit with clients again
- Billiable time is at $350 per hour/Retainer required. Return Prep is a flat fee $125 to $1000?
Contact Info:
- Address: 10780 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 270
West Los Angeles, CA 90025 - Website: www.taxrepair.com
- Phone: 310 581-2900
- Email: [email protected]
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