Often times, people don’t really consider hiring a tax attorney. But when you unexpectedly get a letter from the IRS saying you owe the government some money, what are you going to do?
Well, you have two options: ignore it or pay the amount specified in the letter. The first option will only lead to more problems, so it seems like your best option is to pay. But are you going to pay for it without even looking closely at the problem?
Almost every company, large or small, has encountered such a situation. But being in business, most of these people and organizations know exactly what to do. They’re not going to give up without a fight, so they hire tax attorneys to help them determine what to pay and which tax bills to ignore. If you have a good lawyer, he will be able to help you walk the tightrope and not fall into the abyss, so to speak.
The first is the first
Before you hire a tax attorney, you should ask yourself if you really need one. Obviously only you can answer this question as you know your real situation. If you have to pay only a small amount of money, you can waive the services of an attorney. However, it would be wise to seek the advice of an attorney on how you can prevent this situation from happening again in the future. You may not even be charged for this little consultation.
However, if the tax problem is complicated and too technical for you to handle, now is the right time to hire a tax attorney. There are other scenarios where it will be important to hire a tax attorney, such as if the IRS is investigating you or you want to sue them for making a mistake on your tax bill.
How to find the right tax attorney
When selecting the right attorney to represent you, you should choose one that you feel comfortable dealing with. You should also be able to relate to him in a professional and friendly manner.
The things you need to be definitive about your attorney are their credentials and their experience. He should be able to provide you with proof of the following:
• Your law degree, preferably an advanced tax degree
• Your license to practice in any state in which you are permitted to practice
• Your tax specialties
• Your professional fees
It would also be nice if the attorney is also a CPA, although it’s not really a requirement. His CPA experience will be of great help if your tax problems involve accounting matters, but be prepared to pay higher fees for this type of attorney.
A good thing to always remember when hiring someone is not to be easily impressed with credentials. Focus on your job accomplishments because that will show if you have used your credentials effectively in your profession.
It would also be nice if you could ask for recommendations. Your friends and family may know of a good attorney who has helped them resolve their tax problems with the IRS. Hiring a tax attorney in this way will allow you to find one that can really help you with your tax problems.