Did you know that a tax attorney is not just a lawyer? That’s right; there’s a big difference between tax lawyers and tax attorneys. Not surprisingly, a large demand for high quality tax attorneys exists not just because they represent federal government tax collections agencies but also because they’re highly trained experts who know how the IRS really does business. Some IRS tax debt attorneys are CPA s or registered agents that means they should be accredited by the United States Department of Justice to practice law. Because of this, those attorneys who choose to become IRS auditors must pass a rigorous, nationwide ethics examination.
When hiring tax attorneys to help taxpayers with their back taxes, it’s important to first determine if they have appropriate experience in dealing with tax debt. It’s not enough to hire an attorney-to-be simply because his father is an accountant. A good attorney-to-be will have personal and professional experience dealing with the IRS as well as a great deal of knowledge about the complex IRS legislation. So how do you go about hiring tax attorneys?
Start by asking your local bar association for a list of tax attorneys. You can also ask friends and family for referrals. If you find several attorneys who appear to have experience working with tax debt resolution, make appointments for a consultation. Most tax attorneys offer free introductory consultations to potential clients. During your introductory meeting, ask them about their practice and whether they specialize in tax fraud or tax evasion.
Tax evasion and tax fraud are very serious offenses. They carry criminal penalties and long jail terms. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to hire tax attorneys who have experience handling such cases. Some tax attorneys work exclusively with clients who have criminal convictions. Others represent clients with civil tax disputes.
The IRS is notorious for its Byzantine tax laws. This makes it extremely difficult for ordinary taxpayers to understand and follow the system. It can cause enormous damage to a person’s finances. If the IRS discovers an error in your tax return, it usually does not send a notice of audit. Many taxpayers inadvertently pay additional taxes during the year simply because they failed to understand the complicated tax laws. Professionals who handle tax disputes represent many different types of taxpayers.
Tax attorneys also deal with property taxes. In Florida, property owners must obtain a tax lien attorney before submitting a tax deed application. Property owners generally must submit an application for a tax deed prior to selling a property. Attorneys who represent taxpayers who are appealing tax delinquent property tax payments often have a very close relationship with the local court systems and their own tax delinquent clients, said VirginiaTaxAttorney.Net.