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Ozzie Gomez
- December 25, 2023
Tax issues can be complicated matters, especially when they go beyond filing annual returns. From estate planning to tax disputes to negotiating back taxes, tax attorneys touch every aspect of your financial life. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate these tax situations on your own. In fact, it is recommended that you don’t.
Some taxpayers want to go it alone because they feel it will save them money. For instance, they are under the impression that hiring a tax lawyer will be too costly. The reality is that a tax attorney can help you maximize your financial situation. This includes everything from minimizing your tax liability to handling communication with the IRS.
And perhaps you weren’t aware that tax attorneys could communicate with the IRS on your behalf. The good news is they can, and then some.
If you are having tax issues, or need to make sense of your situation, a tax attorney is your go-to. Here are some of the more common examples of what tax attorneys do.
What Does a Tax Lawyer Do?
A tax attorney is a trained and certified lawyer who specializes in tax law. To be clear, a tax attorney is different than a certified public accountant, or CPA. A CPA also specializes in tax and accounting matters, but at a lower level and discipline than a tax attorney.
Tax attorneys have attended law school and passed the state bar exam. This is the main differentiator between them and CPAs. Since they have a law degree on their side, they should be considered for legal tax matters. And this means much of their job revolves around legal research.
If you are disputing a tax liability for one reason or another, legal research is your ally. And this legal background also empowers a tax attorney to communicate with the IRS on your behalf. Indeed, CPAs are also authorized for this role. However, there is no question that a law degree gives an attorney a leg up in these conversations.
And these conversations don’t necessarily have to be in person. There might be times when the IRS is reaching out to you to address a matter. And there is no question that if they are reaching out, it is likely a matter of importance. A tax attorney’s law degree means they know how to advise clients on these matters.
Usually, this communication arises from an IRS audit, but not always. If the IRS is reaching out about back taxes, for instance, you don’t want to say the wrong thing. Nor do you want to agree to something too quickly. As a taxpayer, you have all sorts of options, and a tax attorney can help you navigate those options.
As you know, owing back taxes is not the same as committing tax fraud. And this brings up an important point about legal matters pertaining to taxes. Specifically, a tax attorney does not only handle matters that are legal in nature.
When trying to get your back taxes sorted out, you might be discussing options for tax settlement. These options can range from installment agreements to offers in compromise. A tax attorney can help you decide which route makes the most sense for you. But more than that, they can help you understand why.
If nothing else, a tax attorney provides you with a full picture of your financial situation. This includes potential outcomes and improvements for tax preparation. And with this in mind, the question about whether a tax attorney is worth it is pretty clear.
Matters Typically Handled by Tax Attorneys
Hopefully, a tax attorney is not limited to a specific type of tax situation. Whatever your tax issue tends to be, a tax attorney can help you through it. But here are some common examples of tax duties that tax attorneys are known for:
Drafting Documents
Whether you are dealing with personal taxes or business taxes, there are plenty of forms. This is especially the case if you are an independent professional. It is easy to make mistakes regarding these forms.
But there are also forms pertaining to your plan moving forward. If you are settling a tax dispute, there will be payment forms and others that require your signature. Having a tax attorney on your side means these forms say what you want them to say. And you can rest easy knowing you have signed the right forms, in the places.
Advising Clients
There are all sorts of reasons to seek the advice of a tax attorney. Settling a tax dispute is one thing that readily comes to mind. But what about estate planning, for example? This is a scenario that leaves no room for error, and with a tax attorney, it won’t.
But you might also seek advice from a tax attorney regarding tax preparation and planning. If you are starting a business, a tax attorney can guide you through tax laws and regulations. There is no reason to not address all of your tax code questions from the get-go.
Representing Clients
We have touched on this already, but again, there is no one-size-fits-all tax dispute. The edge that tax attorneys bring to the table is their experience. Tax attorneys are versed in both legal and non-legal tax court matters. This is the kind of experience you want on your side regardless of your situation.
Let their expert voice speak on your behalf. It will mean a better outcome for you, and a clearer understanding going forward.
We Can Help
At Innovative Tax Relief, we know that tax issues can be a burden, but we can help. We have a team of tax professionals who are ready to provide you with a tax resolution whatever your situation might be. While we are not tax attorneys, we work closely with all kinds of clients to navigate tax scenarios. And if hiring a tax lawyer is the right move, we can help you with that as well.
From tax preparation to tax disputes, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to tax issues. However, there is one destination that can address all of your issues. Fortunately, you have already found us.
Schedule a Free Consultation
We understand that tax liabilities or other tax burdens can feel like there is no end in sight. The reality is you have options, and it is worth your time to hear them out. Contact our office today and see where you stand. You might even be surprised as you start to navigate your path forward.
