Begin with the statement or IRS letter showing the concern. A service review can help clarify the amount, payment difficulty, and information needed for the next step.
Explain the unresolved part
Say whether the difficulty is paying the total, understanding a penalty, or recognizing a transaction. Identify the tax period and statement date if available. Keep a changing amount separate from an assumed cause for the change. You can mention missing records without filling the gap from memory. A first discussion should establish which review would address the concern, rather than requiring you to calculate every component or choose an IRS request in advance.
Clarify the assistance
Ask what information supports the review and what professional work would be included. Understand charges and responsibility before authorizing action. Payment questions may need current financial circumstances, while an unfamiliar account entry may need a return or transaction source. Keep actual notice directions available as preparation proceeds. An opening conversation can define useful follow-up, with later submissions and decisions preserved as their own documented events.