how to find a lawyer to help with income tax issues

How can an IRS tax lawyer help you?

A tax lawyer can work with you to develop a reasonable offer and negotiate the terms with the IRS. Penalty Relief: Penalties can drive up your tax debt significantly, making it even more difficult to pay your balance. An IRS tax attorney can determine whether you qualify for penalty relief and help you eliminate these extra fees.

Do I need a tax attorney to resolve back tax issues?

Tax attorneys can resolve complex tax issues. If you’re dealing with a serious back tax issue, you need an experienced professional on your side. Tax attorneys specialize in resolving high-level tax problems like wage garnishments, tax liens and levies, and penalty abatement.

Should you meet with your tax attorney in person?

You could spend hours driving back and forth to meet with your tax attorney in person when you could use that time to work, relax, or spend time with your family instead. You could rack up a large bill very quickly simply by exchanging pleasantries with your attorney.

What types of tax cases do tax lawyers handle?

Case Type: Tax lawyers handle a wide variety of case types, and some require much more investigation than others. For example, more straightforward delinquent filing cases may cost less than more complex issues like audit defense and representation.

What is the IRS Hardship Program?

The federal tax relief hardship program is for taxpayers who are unable to pay their back taxes. In other words, taxpayers in need can apply for the IRS' Currently Not Collectable status. You can qualify for the IRS hardship program if you can't pay taxes after paying for basic living expenses.

What is IRS Fresh Start Program?

The Fresh Start Initiative Program provides tax relief to select taxpayers who owe money to the IRS. It is a response by the Federal Government to the predatory practices of the IRS, who use compound interest and financial penalties to punish taxpayers with outstanding tax debt.

Do you need a lawyer to negotiate with IRS?

You have the legal right to represent yourself before the IRS, but most taxpayers have determined that professional help, such as specialized attorneys, accountants, or tax specialists who are experienced in helping taxpayers resolve unpaid tax debts can significantly impact your odds of reaching an acceptable ...

What kind of lawyer do I need for IRS?

Typically, if you are dealing with complex tax issues, you want to go with a tax attorney. CPAs are a better choice for straightforward issues, relating to tax filing and preparation. In many cases, tax attorneys are supported by IRS enrolled agents to do the prep work.

Is there a one time tax forgiveness?

One-time forgiveness, otherwise known as penalty abatement, is an IRS program that waives any penalties facing taxpayers who have made an error in filing an income tax return or paying on time. This program isn't for you if you're notoriously late on filing taxes or have multiple unresolved penalties.

Can I negotiate with the IRS myself?

An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can't pay your full tax liability or doing so creates a financial hardship. We consider your unique set of facts and circumstances: Ability to pay.

How much will the IRS usually settle for?

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approves countless Offers in Compromise with taxpayers regarding their past-due tax payments. Basically, the IRS decreases the tax obligation debt owed by a taxpayer in exchange for a lump-sum settlement. The average Offer in Compromise the IRS approved in 2020 was $16,176.

What is the minimum payment the IRS will accept?

If you owe less than $10,000 to the IRS, your installment plan will generally be automatically approved as a "guaranteed" installment agreement. Under this type of plan, as long as you pledge to pay off your balance within three years, there is no specific minimum payment required.

What do I do if I owe the IRS over 10000?

What to do if you owe the IRSSet up an installment agreement with the IRS. Taxpayers can set up IRS payment plans, called installment agreements. ... Request a short-term extension to pay the full balance. ... Apply for a hardship extension to pay taxes. ... Get a personal loan. ... Borrow from your 401(k). ... Use a debit/credit card.

What does a tax lawyer do?

A tax lawyer's role is to advise both individuals and businesses regarding complex tax legislation and apply it to their circumstances. Tax lawyers render advisory and dispute management services to a range of clients.

How do you get out of tax debt?

Fortunately, the IRS provides options for taxpayers to resolve their debt. There are many options to help reduce, and in some cases eliminate, tax arrears, ranging from filing or correcting a tax return to arrangements like penalty abatement, installment agreements, or offers in compromise.

Who can help me with the IRS?

You can call your advocate, whose number is in your local directory, in Publication 1546, Taxpayer Advocate Service -- Your Voice at the IRSPDF, and on our website at IRS.gov/advocate. You can also call us toll-free at 877-777-4778.

Who to Contact for Tax Questions: Tax Lawyer or Accountant?

Once you know you want to seek professional tax advice, you'll next have to consider whether to approach a tax attorney or an accountant. Answering this question will likely depend on what type of assistance you need. Of course, there's no prohibition against speaking with both a tax lawyer and an accountant.

Factors to Consider

The similarities. Knowledgeable accountants and tax attorneys will be able to provide tax advice and planning strategies to individuals and businesses. The U.S. Tax court allows attorneys and certain non-attorneys, including qualified accountants, to represent clients in cases.

Additional Resources

Knowing who to contact with tax questions is the first step. However, it's just as important to know what questions to ask when you meet with a tax professional. You can find out more about U.S. tax law and procedures to help guide your questions by reviewing the additional resources below.

Get Legal Help with Your Tax Questions

As you are figuring out how to address your tax issues, you should always be armed with the most updated legal information and how the law can impact your specific situation. A skilled tax attorney can answer your questions about tax laws or would like information legal advice about your specific situation.

What can a tax attorney do?

A tax attorney can help you develop a reasonable offer in compromise that is likely to be accepted by the IRS. In most cases, you must make an offer to settle your taxes for an amount equal to the value of your assets and your future income, which is your reasonable collection potential.

What is a CPA?

When you have issues with the IRS, you need support — a professional who can advocate for your best interests. While a certified public accountant (CPA) can help with most types of tax problems, certain complex issues require in-depth knowledge of the extensive, frequently changing tax laws. In these situations, you should find a tax attorney in your area who has the expertise you need to protect your best interests and successfully resolve tax debt and related problems. Tax attorneys can also help with complex matters such as international trade taxation and advantageous business structures.

Can a local tax attorney help with taxes?

Whether you are starting your own business, owe back taxes, or have another complicated tax matter that needs attention, a local tax attorney can provide peace of mind by advocating on your behalf with the IRS and providing consultation that can help you make the right choices for your continued financial success. At Solvable, we are here to help answer any tax debt relief questions you might have.

What is a Tax Attorney?

A tax attorney, also known as a tax lawyer, is an attorney specializing in the application and interpretation of tax policies and laws. Tax attorneys are often involved in litigation, advising taxpayers on the tax consequences of various transactions and representing clients who have tax disputes that can only get resolved in a courtroom.

When to Hire a Tax Attorney

While individuals and businesses can use tax software to help them with tax-related obligations, there are certain situations when hiring an attorney may be a preferable option.

How Much Does a Tax Attorney Cost?

The cost of hiring an attorney depends on the complexity of a case. It may also depend on where you live and the experience of the attorney you hire. Tax lawyers tend to charge a flat fee or an hourly rate fee in most cases.

What Should You Look For in a Tax Attorney?

There are many tax attorneys, and choosing one without any prior experience in what to look for might be challenging. Here are some of the factors to consider when hiring a tax lawyer:

Why Should You Hire a Tax Attorney And Not a CPA For Your Tax Issues?

A certified public accountant can help you with many tax issues and offers similar services. Here is why you should opt for a tax attorney over a CPA, nonetheless:

What can a tax lawyer do?

Tax lawyers can help you both before you have a tax debt issue and after the IRS has contacted you to resolve tax matters. They can handle the following: Researching Cases: Tax lawyers investigate IRS cases to identify problems and determine potential solutions.

How to hire an IRS tax attorney?

When you hire an IRS tax attorney to resolve your tax issues, it’s important to make sure you work with a reputable professional. Reviews and ratings can tell you a lot about how tax lawyers work with clients, but only the attorney’s bar association can tell you whether they’re in good standing. Check your attorney’s listing on their state bar association website to make sure they’re the reliable professional you expect.

What are the benefits of having a tax attorney?

Some of the biggest perks include: Tax attorneys can resolve complex tax issues. If you’re dealing with a serious tax debt issue, you need an experienced professional on your side. Tax attorneys specialize in resolving high-level tax problems like wage garnishments, tax liens and levies, and penalty abatement.

What happens if the IRS releases a lien on your property?

Tax Lien Release: If the IRS places a tax lien against your property, selling assets like your car or your house can become impossible. A tax attorney can work with the IRS to release its lien on your property and find another solution for repaying your tax debt instead. Wage Garnishment Removal: When the IRS threatens to start collecting its debt ...

What is Hurricane Tax?

Hurricane Tax prides itself on being a full-service tax relief firm that employs tax attorneys, CPAs, and EAs. However, the firm specializes in complex issues like releasing tax levies and liens and lifting wage garnishments. Hurricane Tax can also assist with establishing IRS installment agreements.

What degree do tax attorneys need?

Some also go on to earn a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) degree, which provides specialized preparation for working in tax law. Finally, tax attorneys have to pass the bar exam administered by their state’s bar association. This exam requires rigorous preparation and proves attorneys’ competence at practicing law.

What can a tax attorney do?

A tax attorney can build a case in your defense and represent you in court if necessary. Delinquent Tax Returns: Filing outstanding tax returns allows you to bring your account with the IRS current, but filing late can also lead to substantial interest fees and penalties.

Why Should I Hire a Tax Attorney?

There are two reasons why you should hire a tax attorney to represent your interests against either the IRS or the FTB. First, all communication between you and your tax attorney is privileged information.

When Should I Hire a Tax Attorney?

The short answer to this question is that you need a tax attorney when you are initially contacted by the IRS or FTB regarding a potential problem with your return or tax payment. Ideally, however, it is wise to have a tax attorney giving you advice before trouble raises its ugly head.

Who to Contact For Tax Questions: Tax Lawyer Or Accountant?

• Once you know you want to seek professional tax advice, you'll next have to consider whether to approach a tax attorney or an accountant. Answering this question will likely depend on what type of assistance you need. Of course, there's no prohibition against speaking with both a tax lawyer and an accountant. In some cases, you'll find both in one ...

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Factors to Consider

Additional Resources

Get Legal Help with Your Tax Questions