Hiring the best tax attorney will depend on several factors. A tax attorney is a lawyer certified to deal with IRS tax code and provide the needed advice on the complicated legal issues associated with IRS. Mostly, tax attorneys deal with trusts, tax disputes, business law, and estate planning.
If you are in one of these sticky situations, or any issue from the IRS, then hiring a tax attorney is better than representing yourself. Before you do, here is everything you need to know about hiring the best tax attorney.
When Is It Necessary to Hire a Tax Attorney?
There are a number of reasons why you might need to hire a tax attorney. When you are in a sticky situation with your taxes, it’s best to leave things to the professionals.
1. When making a payment to the IRS
If you need help with IRS payment, hiring an attorney for legal help will come in handy. Dealing with the IRS can be daunting. According to the Tax Foundation, the United State tax code, that is used by the IRS, is approaching 10.1 million words with the federal revenue code taking 2.41 words and tax regulation having 7.66 words.
This is a lot of jargon for someone who does not deal with the IRS regularly. A tax lawyer knows how to maneuver the jargon and help you with the payment quickly.
2. If IRS slaps you a tax audit
The Internal Revenue Service has lawyers on call working on their case, and if you have no one to help you negotiate with them, you could be looking at dense jargon you don’t understand and losing revenue you would have otherwise salvaged.
If you get the best tax attorney, they will help you settle the debt for less you owe during the negotiations. They will make an offer for less, request for a payment plan or seek penalty waiver or decrease.
3. If you receive a tax notice
The IRS sends notifications every once in a while, to submit information to taxpayers. The information could be anything from an error to a remind of debt. Once you receive such a notice, you may not be sure how to proceed.
In this case, talking to tax lawyer will help you get answers to your IRS questions. The attorney will also tell you how you should proceed and advice if you need to hire them for the negotiations or it is something you can handle on your own.
4. If you are facing criminal charges
In some events, the IRS will charge you as a criminal. Such cases need representation, and a tax attorney is your best chance of handling it. Tax evasion and fraud are the most common cases the IRS charge under criminal offense.
These charges should be taken seriously because eight out of ten people charged are sentenced to prison.
Where Can You Find a Tax Attorney?
If you need a tax attorney, your first place to search should be with a trusted professional. This could be your friend or family members who have been in the same situation. Also, you can check with your banker, accountant, or lawyer.
They are likely to know the best tax attorney. If all these methods do not yield a good lawyer, visit the bar association in your area for a recommendation.
Is the Tax Lawyer The Right One for You?
Once you find a lawyer you like, you might want to have a chat with them to determine if they are a good fit for you. Do not assume they are the best option without explaining your case to them first.
If it takes paying a consultation fee first, do so, explain your situation and get details on how the lawyer will handle the case if you are to hire them. From this discussion, you will tell if they are the right lawyer for you or not.
What Qualifications Do Tax Lawyers Need?
The minimum qualification any tax lawyer should hold is a Juris Doctor commonly referred to as J.D. they must also have a license to practice. This information is available at the state bar.
A lot of tax lawyers will also hold a Master of Law in taxation, which is an added advantage because it shows they have specialized. If you are lucky, you will find a lawyer who is also a certified public accountant.
In some events, the IRS will charge you as a criminal. Such cases need representation, and a tax attorney is your best chance of handling it. Tax evasion and fraud are the most common cases the IRS charge under criminal offense.
These charges should be taken seriously because eight out of ten people charged are sentenced to prison.
