Tax Help
Find Help for Back Taxes, Late Returns and Liens
You may be a tax compliant, filing all your returns on time and having no issues with the tax authorities in the past. Without warning you receive the dreaded certified mail from the IRS and find a 30-day notice to pay an amount the IRS claims you owe.
Stunned and amazed and your first instinct is to take on the IRS. Since the case appears simple and a tax attorney seems like an expensive proposition, you decide to represent yourself. Remember, taxes are based on law and can be interpreted in many different ways. The IRS agents though sporting a friendly demeanor are highly trained professionals and it is their duty to assess the maximum possible amount of tax due. You have a right to appeal the agents audit report but if you are not aware of it, it is not the agent’s responsibility to protect your rights. You stand to lose thousands of dollars. Think about it, if you had an infection would you self medicate or go to a clinic and get it removed by a doctor who is professionally trained for this type of procedure. Do yourself a favor and consult with a tax attorney. Tax laws are like a mystery for most of us, however for professional and qualified tax attorneys they are familiar stories.
All the contents of the discussion you have with the IRS is recorded in some form and agents can misconstrue any statement you make. Remember, any false statement made to a federal agent is a serious crime and can result in criminal indictment. Seemingly innocuous statements made by a taxpayer may be interpreted in different ways resulting in more harm than good.
Tax laws are complex and as mentioned earlier can be interpreted in many different ways. Many a times, taxpayers are confronted with more serious and complex issues than the ones they originally attempted to resolve.
A good tax attorney will act as your shield and handle all the communication with the IRS. The IRS agents are on the government’s side and are not expected to protect you, whereas your tax attorney is on your side and is well aware of your entitlements. In 1998, the Congress offered significant procedural protection to taxpayers. However, in the event you choose to represent yourself you lose this first line of defense. A tax attorney will help you make the most of the protection the Congress gave you as a taxpayer.
Hiring the services of a competent professional to help with the IRS can save you money. It is important to seek tax help from those with specialized education in taxation. The annual budget for the IRS is increasing every year and additional employees and enforcement personnel are added. More than a million audits are done each year and it won’t be long before you face an IRS issue. Professional tax help may seem like an expensive you cannot afford, but piece of mind will surely be worth the cost.
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