About The Schlichting Group · Dallas
The Schlichting Group (marketed online as SlickTax.com) is a Dallas-based tax controversy, tax compliance, and bookkeeping firm that has been representing taxpayers before the IRS since 1990. Founded by Jay Schlichting, EA, after the oil & gas downturn of the late 1980s in Midland, Texas, the firm specializes in helping small business owners and self-employed individuals resolve complex IRS problems — including audits, liens, bank levies, and wage garnishments — while also preparing returns year-round for individuals, corporations, LLCs, S-Corps, trusts, and franchises. The current owner is Jay's son, Stephen J. Schlichting, EA, who took over after his father's passing in 2014 and continues the same mission alongside a multi-lingual team that includes Spanish-speaking preparers and affiliate payroll/HR specialists from Paylocity, ADP, and Thread HCM.
The Schlichting Group was founded in 1990 by Jay Schlichting in Dallas, Texas, after he recognized what he called his '2nd calling' amid the oil & gas meltdown of the late 1980s in Midland, TX. Watching friends and business owners lose their livelihoods battling the IRS instead of running their companies, Jay invested years of self-study, mentoring, and professional education before hanging out his shingle as a freshly minted Enrolled Agent (EA) — a federally licensed credential allowing him to practice directly before the IRS. Over more than three decades, the firm grew into a boutique tax controversy and compliance practice serving clients primarily in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex but with reach across the United States and around the world. The company markets itself under the easier-to-spell web address SlickTax.com — a nickname Jay and a Schlichting relative both picked up from sports coaches who couldn't pronounce the family name. Jay served until his death in 2014, when his son Stephen J. Schlichting, EA (enrolled to practice before the IRS in 2012), stepped in as Owner and now runs the firm as CEO. Stephen's role is described on LinkedIn as 'Chief Executive Officer at The Schlichting Group — Tax Preparation & IRS Representation, since 1990, Subs. of Nextco Holdings.' The Schlichting Group distinguishes itself by handling the full life-cycle of a tax problem: free confidential initial consultation, customized action plan, IRS Power of Attorney (Form 2848) execution, document gathering, direct negotiation with the IRS, and — when needed — appeals, Taxpayer Assistance Orders, and trust fund recovery work for businesses in 'tailspin' situations. They have been awarded 'Top Practitioner of the Year' by the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) and 'Business of the Year runner up' by the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Their multi-lingual staff (English and Spanish) supports Dallas's diverse small-business community, with night and weekend appointments available around deadlines.
- In business
- 35+ years (founded 1990)
- Owner
- Founded by Jay Schlichting, EA (1990, deceased 2014); currently owned by Stephen J. Schlichting, EA (CEO, Enrolled Agent since 2012); subsidiary of Nextco Holdings
- Serves
- Primarily Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; clients also served across the United States and worldwide; in-person consultations in Dallas plus video consultations
- Rating
- 2.5 stars on Yahoo Local (10 reviews); BBB A+; LinkedIn employer rating 3.9/5 (2 reviews)
Our Story: From the Oil Patch to the IRS Front Lines
The Schlichting Group was born in 1990 out of the oil & gas collapse of the late 1980s in Midland, Texas. Founder Jay Schlichting watched friends and small-business owners get 'wiped out battling the IRS instead of doing what they do best, making their phone ring.' Recognizing that the right advocate could step in and guide clients through the IRS storm, Jay spent years training and obtaining the Enrolled Agent credential before opening his own practice. Three decades later, the firm is now led by Jay's son, Stephen J. Schlichting, EA, who took over the practice in 2014 and continues the same client-first mission. The firm is incorporated under its holding company Nextco Holdings.
- Founded 1990 in Dallas, Texas
- Founder Jay Schlichting, EA — enrolled to practice before the IRS in 1990
- Current Owner & CEO: Stephen J. Schlichting, EA (enrolled 2012)
- Subsidiary of Nextco Holdings
Why the Website is 'SlickTax.com'
'Schlichting is not an easy name to pronounce and it is even harder to try and market,' the firm writes on its about page. Coaches growing up labeled both Jay and a family relative 'Slick' after giving up on the surname. The web address SlickTax.com (pronounced 'Shh-lick-ting') was chosen so clients could find them without spelling gymnastics.
- Web URL: slicktax.com
- Pronunciation guide: 'Shh-lick-ting'
- Marketing alias in use since the firm's early years
IRS Representation & Tax Controversy
The firm's flagship offering is IRS Representation — direct advocacy on a taxpayer's behalf before the Internal Revenue Service. Every engagement begins with a free, confidential consultation and follows a documented six-step process: consultation, customized action plan, retainer agreement, signed Power of Attorney (Form 2848), document list from the firm, and active negotiation with the IRS.
- Step 1: Free consultation
- Step 2: Confidential interview with customized action plan
- Step 3: Sign retainer agreement
- Step 4: Sign and return Power of Attorney (Form 2848)
- Step 5: Receive client document list
- Step 6: Active negotiation; returns prepared as needed
Bank Levy & Wage Garnishment Release
When the IRS issues a bank levy, the bank is required to sweep the available balance and remit it to the IRS within 21 days unless notified otherwise. Wage garnishments continue taking a significant percentage of each paycheck until paid in full or released. The Schlichting Group works to halt or release these actions on the client's behalf.
- IRS bank levy release
- Wage garnishment release
- Negotiation of manageable installment agreements
- Examples of successful releases featured on client testimonials page
Federal Tax Lien Release, Withdrawal & Subordination
Federal Tax Liens are public records filed with the County Clerk and can remain on credit reports for years — longer than a bankruptcy in many cases. The firm assists with lien releases (to refinance, sell property, or improve credit) and lien withdrawals, which the IRS announced would be removed from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Lien filings can drop a credit score by an average of 100 points and can affect professionals in regulated industries (bankers, brokers, real estate agents, appraisers).
- Lien release to refinance, sell, or improve credit
- Lien withdrawal from credit reports
- Lien subordination to allow borrowing against property
- Lien discharge for specific assets
IRS Audit Defense
The Schlichting Group handles all four types of IRS audits: correspondence audits (by mail), office audits (at the local IRS office), field audits (at the taxpayer's business or home), and Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program audits (line-by-line). They also advise on common audit red flags such as very low gross profits, high vehicle expenses, and unusually low profit margins.
- Correspondence IRS audits
- Office audits
- Field audits
- TCMP (line-by-line) audits
- Audit-trigger identification and prevention
Tax Preparation
Beyond controversy work, the firm prepares tax returns year-round for individual wage earners, sole proprietors, corporations, LLCs, LLPs, S-Corps, franchises, and trusts. The team includes English- and Spanish-speaking preparers plus affiliate specialists for payroll and HR.
- Individual 1040 returns
- Sole proprietor and small-business returns
- Corporation, LLC, LLP, and S-Corp filings
- Franchise tax
- Trust returns
Bookkeeping & QuickBooks Services
The firm's bookkeeping practice is built around Intuit's QuickBooks platform. Their certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors provide initial setup and configuration, training, and ongoing reviews to catch errors before they become IRS problems. A separate Bookkeeping Review service assesses the accuracy of existing QuickBooks files and provides coaching and recommendations.
- QuickBooks setup and configuration
- QuickBooks training and coaching
- Bookkeeping Review (ProAdvisor assessment)
- Ongoing bookkeeping support
Small Business Advisory & Fractional CFO
The firm extends into small-business formation and advisory work, including trust fund recovery planning to prevent personal assessment of business taxes against 'responsible parties.' Affiliate Andrew Barker, MBA CPA, provides hands-on fractional CFO services for middle-market management and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
- Small business formation
- Trust fund recovery penalty defense
- Fractional CFO services (affiliate)
- Strategic tax planning for the self-employed
Meet the Team
The Schlichting Group is staffed by Enrolled Agents, tax preparers, bookkeepers, and Spanish-speaking support, with affiliate payroll/HR professionals available on an as-needed basis.
- Stephen J. Schlichting, EA — Owner / CEO (IRS Representation Team)
- Gerry Daw — Lead Tax Preparer, Small Business Formation & Advisory
- Vickie — Spanish Tax Preparer & Office Administrator
- Keith — Tax Preparation Professional
- Tamara Coleman — Bookkeeping Team
- Kathleen — Administrative / Admin
- Eddie — Small Business Advisory
- Doe — Receptionist
- Affiliate: Andrew Barker, MBA CPA — Fractional CFO (Spanish/Portuguese)
- Affiliate: Canon Graef, ADP District Manager — Payroll & HR
- Affiliate: Allen Wright — Paylocity (Payroll)
- Affiliate: Duncan Brookover — Thread HCM (HR)
Hours, Contact & Getting Started
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 5580 Peterson Lane, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75240. Night and weekend appointments are available during deadlines and special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. In-person or video consultations can be scheduled by calling (972) 385-8182. Se Habla Español.
- Address: 5580 Peterson Lane Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75240
- Phone: (972) 385-8182
- Fax: (214) 666-7756
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Night & weekend appointments during tax season by request
- Multi-lingual staff (English / Spanish)
Community & Civic Affiliations
The Schlichting Group maintains an unusually broad civic footprint in North Texas, including a documented sponsorship of the Bishop's Charity Golf Tournament — an annual Catholic Diocese of Dallas fundraiser.
- Sponsor of the Bishop's Charity Golf Tournament (Catholic Diocese of Dallas)
- Home Builders Association of Dallas
- North Dallas Chamber of Commerce (Ambassador)
- Turnaround Management Association
- Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA)
- National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP)
- Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA)
- DFW Networkers
- Speaker engagements: Kiwanis, Exchange Club, Rotary