When Should I Get A Tax Attorney?

Tax problems and violations are not only expensive - they can land you in all sorts of trouble with the law. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help that navigating tax issues is usually complicated, and many individuals who communicate directly with the IRS without legal counsel end up making their situation worse.

If you’re in hot water with the IRS, you might be asking questions such as when should get a tax attorney, whether legal assistance is necessary for all tax issues, and is a tax attorney worth it.

In this post, we’ll share all of the answers plus some additional info.

What Does a Tax Attorney Do?

Broadly speaking, a tax attorney is a legal professional specializing in complex tax laws and assisting clients in navigating both state and federal regulations. They can help individuals resolve legal disputes with tax authorities or ensure their clients stay compliant with tax laws while at the same time leveraging different credits and deductions.

To get an answer to your question of ‘when should I get a tax attorney’, you have to consider your current tax situation. 

Although a tax attorney can aid you with filing your taxes and receiving the maximum refund, they are primarily working on the legal side of tax issues. In other words, they’re mostly focused on resolving tax issues once they happen instead of offering help with just filing taxes like most certified public accountants.

What Can A Tax Attorney Help You With?

You can hire an accountant to assist you with your taxes, but it still doesn’t erase the possibility of tax issues arising at some point in the future. If that happens, you don’t need to wonder when I should get a tax attorney - you should do it as soon as possible. 

Tax attorneys are specialized in a wide variety of tax issues on behalf of their clients, and they can help you with:

1. Dealing with Tax Disputes

Tax disputes are typically disagreements over taxes such as investigations, audits, appeals, collection motions, etc. 

Due to their experience with the intricacies of US tax law, attorneys can level the playing field between you and the authorities. Furthermore, if push comes to shove, they can represent you in court. 

You might be thinking you have nothing to worry about if you’re not evading taxes or committing fraud, but think again. The IRS compares tax returns to norms established from previous audits of a statistically valid sample of returns, which basically means you may be chosen as a target for an audit by sheer chance.

Even if you didn’t break any laws, you have a legal right to be represented by an attorney during the audit. In fact, it’s in your best interests to exercise that right. If you disagree with the results, your attorney will prepare the most effective appeal possible and defend you in court if necessary. 

2. Negotiating Tax Reliefs

The biggest concern for many taxpayers is not being able to pay off a tax debt. If you’re one of those individuals, don’t fret about it. By leveraging the services of a tax attorney, you can negotiate a repayment plan that minimizes the financial burden and allows you to pay your taxes over a period of time.

Naturally, you first must prove you’re unable to pay the debt. 

If by chance this doesn’t work and the IRS chooses to take a portion of your wages or place a lien on your property, your tax attorney will be there by your side. 

So is a tax attorney worth it in cases where you’re unable to pay off your debts?

The answer is a resounding yes!

3. Estate Planning

Not all people that scour the internet asking when should I get a tax attorney are in hot water with the IRS - some just want to leave money to their heirs. 

In that case, having an attorney is highly recommended. There are many tax implications regarding wills and you also have to contend with estate taxes that may eat a significant chunk of the inheritance.

With a legal professional on board, you can decrease the impact of these taxes by following a legally viable strategy that will help you keep your inheritance mostly intact.

4. Business Planning

Tax issues are no stranger to business matters. Whether you’re purchasing or selling a business, or simply starting something new, you need to see to it that you comply with all the state and federal laws in order to avoid penalties. 

We understand many business owners like to take on everything on themselves these days, but taxes shouldn’t be included. They are not only time-consuming but making any mistakes can lead to dire consequences.

Once again, you can protect yourself and stay compliant by getting in touch with a tax attorney.

How Much is a Tax Attorney?

No two cases are the same. This makes it impossible to determine how much a tax attorney is without considering the workload. Naturally, complex tax cases that end in litigation will cost more than a simple case involving an estate. 

Depending on the attorney, they may charge a flat fee or an hourly rate. 

Once again, hourly rates and flat fees can vary significantly based on your location and the attorney’s experience. Just as with anything else, you get what you pay for. 

When choosing an attorney, make sure they offer a free initial consultation. This allows both you and the attorney to figure out a plan of action and ascertain if the match is right. 

Get in Touch With the Law Offices of Mary E. King if You Have Any Tax Issues

If you have any problems with taxes or you’re simply trying to ensure you don’t make costly mistakes, a reputable tax attorney is the way to go. In case of disputes with the IRS, they can guide you through this treacherous process, offer valuable advice, and even negotiate with other parties on your behalf.

Keep in mind that the outcome also hinges on the skills and experience of the attorney you hire. This is why you should get in touch with the Law Offices of Mary E. King. We have years of experience in all tax-related matters - from tax disputes all the way to estate planning. We’ve helped individuals and businesses alike and we’ll be happy to help you too. 

Call 941-906-7585 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. 

Note: 

The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not make legal decisions 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.