need lawyer who can help me get my tax return

An attorney is necessary if you have a legal problem, such as a criminal case, like tax fraud, or if you plan to sue IRS. If you need assistance with filing taxes or have general questions, you might consider consulting a trusted tax preparer or accountant who will charge less per hour than a lawyer. What questions should I ask my tax attorney?

Full Answer

How can a tax lawyer help with back taxes?

Tax lawyers can help you both before you have a back tax 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.

Can a tax lawyer represent you in court?

Tax lawyers can represent you in court. If your back taxes lead to criminal charges or tax fraud issues, you need a legal expert to guide you through the process. Tax lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to build an effective case, represent you in front of the IRS, and even defend you in court.

How do I hire a local tax lawyer near me?

Use FindLaw to hire a local tax lawyer near you to help structure an offer and compromise, fight IRS collections, and assist with wage and garnishment releases. How do I choose a lawyer? - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information?

Where can I get help preparing my tax return?

Trained community volunteers can help you by preparing your return and determining if you qualify for EITC and other refundable credits. Find a location for free tax return preparation by volunteers here. Let Free File do the hard work for you with brand-name software.

Can a tax advocate help me get my refund?

If you've contacted the IRS and tried to get your refund, and not having the money is causing you a financial hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help.

What do I do if I haven't received my tax refund?

Undelivered Federal Tax Refund Checks If you were expecting a federal tax refund and did not receive it, check the IRS' Where's My Refund page. You'll need to enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. You may be prompted to change your address online.

Can someone help me with my taxes?

Free Tax Return Help for Eligible Taxpayers Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) - VITA offers free tax help to people who generally make $57,000 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English. IRS-certified volunteers explain tax credits and prepare a basic tax return with electronic filing.

Who can help me with my tax return?

In-Person Assistance with Returns Free tax preparation is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites in many communities. Check your community's newspaper for site locations or call 1-800-829-1040 for more information.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review?

After 60 days, you'd need to file an amended return to reverse any errors and get your refund back.

Why are refunds taking so long?

Some returns are taking longer because of corrections needed that are related to the earned-income tax credit and the pandemic-related stimulus payments (officially termed a “Recovery Rebate Credit”).

Can the IRS make you homeless?

The Status of Your House The IRS does not want to make taxpayers homeless; however, they do need to collect the debt. They might recommend you sell your home in order to pay off your debt, or they might end up seizing it if they feel it is the only way to get paid.

Can I chat with IRS online?

IRS unveils voice and chat bots to assist taxpayers with simple collection questions and tasks; provides faster service, reduced wait times.

Is it worth getting someone to do my taxes?

Deciding whether to pay someone to prepare your tax return depends a great deal on your confidence in crunching numbers and your understanding of tax rules. You could be fine forging ahead on your own if calculations are your thing, but you might want to pay someone to prepare your return otherwise.

What is a hardship refund?

But, if you have an urgent financial hardship, you might be able to get the IRS to give you your 2020 refund, including the stimulus payments, even if you do owe for past years. This is sometimes called an Offset Bypass Refund (OBR) or a hardship refund.

How do I sue the IRS for refund?

Generally, if you fully paid the tax and the IRS denies your tax refund claim, or if the IRS takes no action on the claim within six months, then you may file a refund suit. You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims.

How do I speak to a live person at the IRS about my refund?

How Can You Speak Directly With An Agent at the IRS?Call the IRS telephone number at 1-800-829-1040. ... The automated system will ask you to select your preferred language.Once you've set your language, choose option 2 for “Personal Income Tax” instead.Press 1 for “form, tax history, or payment.”More items...•

Free Tax Return Help for Eligible Taxpayers

Find out if you qualify for the following free tax return preparation services:Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) - VITA offers free tax help t...

Free Tools to Help with Taxes

The IRS provides free publications, forms, and tools to help taxpayers:Help and Resource Center - Learn about the many free services and resources...

Contact the IRS

For the fastest information, the IRS recommends finding answers to your tax questions online. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or TTY: 1...

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 as many tax lawyers are also certified public accountants.

What are the similarities between accountants and tax attorneys?

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.

What is the difference between an attorney and an accountant?

The training of attorneys, which includes an emphasis on studying case law, legal writing and research, may equip attorneys with an edge on specialized tax litigation and appeals and issues related to liability. The training of accountants in financial planning, and tax regulations and codes may give them an edge in financial strategy.

Can accountants practice both?

Best of both. Can't decide? Consider choosing both. There are a growing number of accountant-lawyers who have studied and are certified to practice in both fields. These practitioners will likely be highly specialized in a particular area of tax law and, while they may charge higher rates, may be invaluable in addressing your unique legal issues.

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.

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 to do when IRS threatens to garnish your wages?

Wage Garnishment Removal: When the IRS threatens to start collecting its debt by taking a percentage from your paycheck, you need to take action quickly. A tax lawyer can make a case for stopping wage garnishment and help you propose another course of action to the IRS instead.

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.

How long does it take to settle a tax case?

Case Length: While tax attorneys can resolve some cases in days or weeks, others take months or close to a year to resolve. Longer cases generally cost more to resolve, but you should always ask your tax lawyer to confirm.

What is required of a tax preparer?

Your preparer, whether paid or volunteer, is required to ask you multiple questions to determine your correct income, expenses, deductions and credits. Avoid an audit, additional tax, penalties or interest by giving your preparer all the needed information and answering all questions. See our article, Consequences of Errors on Your EITC Return for more information.

Do you have to sign a blank tax return?

And, never sign a blank form.

What to do if you owe federal taxes?

If you owe federal taxes, discuss payment options such as installment agreement or offer in compromise with the IRS. You can find more information on the Get Help pages for these topics.

Who can represent you at a low income tax clinic?

You may be eligible for representation from an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent (EA) associated with a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITCs also provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language.

How to get an expedited refund?

Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059).

What to do if IRS is not responding?

If your IRS problem is causing you financial hardship, you’ve tried repeatedly and aren’t receiving a response from the IRS, or you feel your taxpayer rights aren’t being respected, consider contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).

When will the IRS issue a refund?

The IRS may not issue a credit or refund to you before February 15th, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your tax return. This change only affects returns claiming EITC or ACTC filed before February 15.

How long does it take to get a tax refund?

The IRS generally releases refunds within specified times. Generally, the IRS needs two weeks to process a refund on an electronically filed tax return and up to six weeks for a paper tax return.

Can the IRS expedite my tax return?

The IRS may be able to expedite your refund. The IRS may be able to expedite your refund, if it is held up by a temporary backlog in processing — you may receive a letter or notice from the IRS telling you there’s a problem with your tax return or that your refund will be delayed.

Who can represent you at a low income tax clinic?

You may be eligible for representation from an attorney, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Enrolled Agent (EA) associated with a Low Income Tax payer Clinic (LITC) for little or no cost. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics also provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language.

What is the number to call to check on my tax refund?

If you still aren’t sure what happened with your refund, contact an IRS representative at IRS Tax Help Line for Individuals – 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059).

Was your refund supposed to go directly to your bank account?

The bank account information you put on your tax return was incorrect.

Is the IRS holding on to your refund?

The IRS may not issue a credit or refund to you before February 15th, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your tax return.

What to do if you don't get a refund from a credit union?

The IRS will contact the institution and try to help, but the IRS can’t require the bank or credit union return the funds.

Did the IRS change my tax return?

The IRS may have changed an amount on your tax return during processing, but for some reason you didn’t get a notice, or maybe your tax return wasn’t received by the IRS. A transcript of your account will have information about the receipt and processing of your return.

Can TAS release refunds?

Neither TAS, nor the IRS, can release any part of your refund before that date, even if you’re experiencing a financial hardship.

Nicholas John Souza

I agree with the others, the taxpayer advocate could be a good resource for you. If that doesn't help you should get a tax attorney to help you file a claim for refund and/or refund suit. Hopefully you can resolve this by talking to the IRS, but if not you may have to sue them for your refund, which would best be handled by a lawyer. Good luck...

John F. Brennan

Taxpayer assistance, an attorney or accountant may be helpful and be able to move matters along. Good luck.

Steven M Zelinger

If they are staying in touch with you that is encouraging. Short of hiring a lawyer, you may wish to contact the office of the taxpayer advocate. Simply google that or search it on the IRS website. They have an assistance office in various local areas that usually gets things moving.

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

Factors to Consider

Additional Resources

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 attorneycan answer your questions about tax laws or would like information legal advice about your specific situation.

See more on findlaw.com