what services can a tax attorney offer

by Gilbert Bartoletti 7 min read

Here are some services a tax attorney may provide:

  • Help clients file their taxes, taking advantage of tax credits and filing options that may save them or their business money
  • Inform clients of pending tax legislation and how the changes might affect them (or their business)
  • Help clients structure a tax-advantaged estate plan
  • Facilitate transactions such as establishing and managing a REIT (real estate investment trust) or forming a mutual fund

They can provide tax planning services to help clients reduce their tax burdens, and also help with structuring businesses, advising clients on tax- and estate-related planning, and representing them before the IRS.Mar 29, 2019

Full Answer

Can a tax attorney negotiate with IRS?

However, tax lawyers can negotiate agreements with the IRS, such as offers in compromise, that allow you to pay less than your total balance. As a result, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars while resolving your back taxes at the same time. Tax attorneys can guide you through an audit.

What kind of lawyer do I need for IRS?

If you're seeking tax relief, filing help, audit defense, or anything else related to the California Revenue and Taxation code, it simply makes the most sense to enlist the help of a California tax lawyer.

Where do tax attorneys get paid the most?

New York has a median salary of $114,283 and New York has the highest median salary among all 50 states for tax attorneys.

Are tax attorneys worth it?

If you have back taxes that you need to pay off, a tax attorney can help to negotiate a deal for repayment. A good tax attorney will often be able to negotiate a better deal than you would have been offered otherwise, saving you money on interest payments.

Is it worth going to tax court?

Advantages of U.S. Tax Court Taxpayers who sue the IRS in U.S. Tax Court can expect a very high probability of at least partial success. Approximately 85% of tax court cases reach a settlement before even going to trial.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaTax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.Immigration attorney: $84,000.Estate attorney: $83,000.Public Defender: $63,000.More items...•

How much do top tax lawyers make?

The average salary of a tax attorney is $120,910 per year, according to the BLS. Salaries in the law field range from $58,220 to $208,000....Median Salary.EXPERIENCESALARYMid Career (5-9 Years)$125,000Experienced (10-19 Years)$146,0002 more rows

How do I get an IRS tax advocate?

Call the Taxpayer Advocate's toll-free telephone number: 877-777-4778. Call the general IRS toll-free number (800-829-1040) and ask for Taxpayer Advocate assistance. Write or FAX – Addresses and FAX numbers for Taxpayer Advocate offices are listed in Publication 1546, The Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRSPDF.

How do you get out of tax debt?

Tax Debt: 3 Steps to Resolve Your Debt With the IRSFile your taxes — even if you can't pay. If you have a balance after crunching the numbers, make sure you still file. ... Make a payment plan, delay payment or settle. ... Tap an expert for assistance.

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.

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 is tax attorney?

OVERVIEW. A tax attorney is an attorney who specializes in the interpretation and application of tax laws and policies. Tax attorneys can perform a wide array of services for their clients, including the preparation and filing of taxes. Tax attorneys are knowledgeable about tax laws, regulations, and policies at several levels—federal, state, ...

Why do people hire tax attorneys?

Many taxpayers hire tax attorneys to help reduce their tax liabilities in advance of filing a tax return. A tax attorney can provide related legal documents and offer advice on how to manage your personal wealth to minimize your taxes. Other wealth management services tax attorneys offer include: Estate planning.

What does it mean when the IRS assigns an agent to your case?

If the IRS has assigned an agent to your case, it usually means that the IRS is close to taking action against you. If you do not already have a tax attorney, this is a clear sign that you might want to contact one.

Does the above article give tax advice?

The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.

Paying for a Tax Attorney

According to Thumbtack.com, tax attorneys are charging an hourly rate from “under $200 to over $450 per hour” in 2019. The rate varies for numerous reasons, including the:

Legal Insurance Plan by U.S. Legal Services

When legal issues arise for you or your family, it’s important to have affordable access to an attorney who can help—and U.S. Legal Services has been providing that service for more than 40 years.

It Begins with an Aversion to Taxes

An aversion to taxes is why America exists, but disliking taxes is not an acceptable excuse for failing to pay them: you need legal help to address tax issues.

Prevent Tax Audits and Minimize Tax Exposure

Benjamin Franklin is credited with coining the idiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Although Ben was talking about firefighting in Philadelphia, he could just as well have been referencing the modern American tax system.

An Experienced Tax Lawyer can Argue Against Audits and Penalties and Settle Tax Debts

So, you agree that Ben Franklin gives good advice and wish you had taken it, but the tea’s already floating away in the harbor. Is it too late to benefit from the assistance of a tax attorney and what can a tax attorney do for you?

Practices Areas

For more information or to discuss your tax, legal and accounting needs contact Allen Barron or call 866-631-3470 for a free and confidential initial consultation. Learn about the importance of integrated business strategy and coordination across legal, tax and accounting systems.

What is tax attorney?

What a tax attorney does. A tax attorney is a lawyer who specializes in tax law. Tax attorneys help people arrange their finances to optimize their tax situations, comply with tax rules and handle disputes with the IRS or other tax authorities. Some specialize in areas such as estate, international or business taxes.

Where do tax attorneys practice?

Tax attorneys often practice at law firms or accounting firms. Some may be solo practitioners, meaning they own their businesses and work for themselves. Tax lawyers at law firms tend to advise clients about what to do to get favorable tax treatment in various situations.

How to get help with taxes?

You might be able to get free or low-cost help from a tax attorney by visiting a low-income tax clinic, known as an LITC, in your area. These clinics represent people with income below certain levels and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent you in audits, appeals and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. LITCs can also help people respond to IRS notices or fix account problems. You can locate a local clinic on the Taxpayer Advocate Service website.

How much does a tax attorney charge?

In general, legal work isn’t cheap. According to a survey by Martindale-Avvo, a legal marketing and directories firm, tax attorneys charge $295 to $390 per hour on average. The attorney's length of experience can move the figure lower or higher.

What to do if you have a tax dispute?

If you have a tax dispute; want to sue the IRS, the state or a local tax authority over a tax matter; or if you want a hearing before the U.S. Tax Court, a tax attorney can help.

What is the IRS phone number?

IRS Phone Number: Customer Service and Human Help. by Tina Orem. The main IRS phone number is 800-829-1040, but these other IRS phone numbers could also get you the help you need.

Do tax attorneys need a license?

A law license. An attorney must have a law license to practice law. You can verify whether a tax attorney has a license to practice law in your state by searching your state’s bar association website. Signs of advanced education or specialization. In most states, you must also graduate from law school in order to get a law license.

How Do I Know When to Hire a Tax Attorney?

If you are having a problem with the IRS or just questions and concerns, you need to hire a tax attorney. You want to locate and hire a good tax attorney as soon as possible because if you suspect you may need one, you probably do.

What Is the Difference Between a Tax Attorney and a CPA?

By offering a comparison between the two professions, it is by no means intended to disparage CPAs, whom we pride ourselves in having a good working relationship with. Rather, we firmly believe that people are a function of what they do and think the differences between the two should be highlighted.

Why are going businesses attractive to the IRS?

Going businesses make particularly attractive targets for the IRS because they: 1) usually have a variety of business assets that the IRS can seize to satisfy the tax liability and 2) going businesses generate cash which can also be used to pay the liability.

What does it mean to have an attorney help you with an offer in compromise?

Having an attorney help you with an Offer in Compromise increases the chances the tax agency will accept it. There are many hoops to jump through to meet the stringent requirements for acceptance:

Which government agency handles California state taxes?

Both government organizations administer the income tax code; the IRS handles federal taxes and the Franchise Tax Board handles California state taxes. Because it has fewer resources, the FTB will piggyback off results of an IRS audit but focus on areas where the margin of taxpayer error is higher:

What happens if a tax agent shows up at your door?

If tax agents show up at your door with questions, an investigation is open and anything you say can be used against you.

Can a CPA provide an exemption?

Neither a CPA nor a tax preparer can provide that exemption.

What is a tax attorney?

A tax attorney is a type of lawyer who specializes in tax laws and procedures. As with most law professions, tax attorneys often specialize in a specific tax-related area. This may include:

How much does a tax attorney cost?

An attorney’s cost is based on factors ranging from location to years of experience, tax law specialty, and workplace (such as a law firm versus a tax relief agency). How they charge is also important in determining your price; an hourly rate may be more costly for a complex tax situation than a flat rate.

What is the role of a tax attorney?

The role of a tax attorney. Tax attorneys are lawyers who have gone through law school, passed their state’s bar exam and emphasize tax issues in their practice.

Who can help with tax issues?

However, two of the most reliable and well-known professionals that can aid you with various tax problems are the tax attorney and the CPA, both of which offer different — though often overlapping — services.

What is the difference between a tax attorney and a CPA?

While a tax attorney is typically reserved for more specific and complex tax issues whereas the CPA is usually utilized on a more regular basis to keep your financial records in order and prepare your taxes , the advantages of having a two-in-one professional are hard to overstate.

What can a CPA do?

However, one of the most beneficial services a CPA can offer is the ability to review or audit a business’ financial records to identify problem areas that need improvement, as well as where you are in good standing.

What is the role of a CPA?

The role of a CPA. CPAs dedicate their education — which is extensive — to a broad range of accounting fields. From auditing and taxation to bookkeeping and business strategy, CPAs are one of the most versatile financial planners available.

Do CPAs have to be dually licensed?

Not only do dually-licensed Attorney-CPAs have the financial background to understand the intricate details of your company’s balance sheets, but they are also able to advise on business structure to reduce tax liabilities and hopefully help you avoid any trouble with the IRS.

What Can a Tax Attorney Do for You?

A tax attorney has the required knowledge and skills to handle complicated tax problems such as back taxes, IRS audits, liens, cases of non-compliance, and so on. Since a tax attorney is a lawyer, he or she can represent a taxpayer before the IRS and also in the tax court.

What are the problems that tax payers face?

There are many tax problems taxpayers face, such as back taxes, IRS audits, tax liens, tax levies, IRS notices, and so on. Though not all tax issues may need you to start looking to hire a service, some may need handling by experts.

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