What Is The Difference Between Tax Consultant And Tax Lawyer?

When it comes to tax matters, there is often a lot of confusion about the difference between tax consultants and tax lawyers. Although both professionals can provide advice and assistance on tax-related issues, there are some key differences that you should be aware of.

Tax consultants are typically accountants or other financial professionals who have specialized knowledge in tax law. They often work with businesses to help them comply with tax regulations and minimize their tax liability. 

Tax consultants can also help individuals with their taxes, although they typically don’t provide legal advice. Moreover, tax consultants are not licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

A tax lawyer is an attorney who specializes in tax law. Tax lawyers can provide legal advice on a wide range of tax-related issues, including tax planning, tax compliance, and tax controversy. 

In addition, tax lawyers can represent taxpayers before the IRS in audits, appeals, and collection proceedings. They may also be able to negotiate with the IRS on behalf of their clients to reach a favorable resolution. 

The main difference between tax consultants and tax lawyers is that tax consultants don’t provide legal advice, while tax lawyers do. Tax consultants also can’t represent taxpayers before the IRS, whereas tax lawyers can. 

If you need help with a complex tax issue or you’re facing an IRS audit, you may want to consult with a tax lawyer. On the other hand, if you have a relatively simple tax question or you need help preparing your taxes, a tax consultant can help.

When to Hire a Tax Lawyer?

You might need to hire a tax lawyer if: 

You’re facing an IRS audit

An IRS audit can be a complex and stressful process. If you’re being audited, you might want to hire a tax lawyer to represent you. A tax lawyer can help you understand the audit process, respond to IRS inquiries, and negotiate with the IRS on your behalf. 

You’re involved in a tax controversy

If you’re involved in a tax dispute, you might need to hire a tax lawyer. Tax disputes can involve a wide range of issues, such as tax fraud, identity theft, and failure to pay taxes. A tax lawyer can help you navigate the dispute resolution process and represent you in court if necessary. 

You have a complex tax issue

If you have a complex tax issue, you might need to hire a tax lawyer. For example, if you’re starting a business, you might need to get advice on which business structure to choose. 

You might also need to hire a tax lawyer if you’re dealing with a complicated issue, such as an inheritance or a divorce. 

When to Hire a Tax Consultant?

You might need to hire a tax consultant if: 

You need help preparing your taxes

If you’re not sure how to prepare your taxes or you need help with tax planning, you might want to hire a tax consultant. A tax consultant can help you understand the tax laws and make sure you’re taking advantage of all the deductions and credits you’re entitled to. 

You’re self-employed

If you’re self-employed, you might need to hire a tax consultant to help you with your taxes. A tax consultant can help you choose the right business structure and make sure you’re paying the appropriate amount of taxes. 

You have a simple tax question

If you have a simple tax question, you might be able to get the answer from the IRS website or a tax book. However, if you can’t find the answer or you need more help, you might want to consult with a tax consultant. 

A tax consultant can help you understand the tax laws and make sure you’re taking advantage of all the deductions and credits you’re entitled to. 

If you need help with a tax-related legal issue, you might want to consult with a tax lawyer. Tax lawyers can provide legal advice on a wide range of tax-related issues, including tax planning, tax compliance, and tax controversy. 

In addition, tax lawyers can represent taxpayers before the IRS in audits, appeals, and collection proceedings. They may also be able to negotiate with the IRS on behalf of their clients to reach a favorable resolution. 

When choosing a tax lawyer, it’s important to choose someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in the area of tax law that you need assistance with. For example, if you need help with tax planning, you should choose a tax lawyer who has experience with tax planning. 

You can find a tax lawyer by asking for referrals from friends, family, or other lawyers. You can also search for tax lawyers in your area on the American Bar Association’s website. 

When consulting with a tax lawyer, be sure to ask about their experience, fees, and whether they have any conflicts of interest. 

It’s also a good idea to get a sense of what it would be like to work with the lawyer by asking for a consultation. Many lawyers offer free consultations, so you can get a feel for their style and approach before you commit to hiring them. 

The Law Offices of Mary King is a full-service tax law firm that can help you with all your tax-related legal needs. We offer a free initial consultation, so you can get to know us, and we can learn about your situation. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.

Phone: 941-906-7585  

Online: Contact form

The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not decide whether to contact a lawyer based on the information in this blog post. Moreover, there is no lawyer-client relationship resulting from this blog post, nor should any such relationship be implied. If you need legal counsel, please consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.