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Step 1
Ask your personal attorney, tax preparer or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for a referral for a reputable tax attorney. Although those contacts can provide you with tax advice, they may not have the experience in tax law or be able to represent you when dealing with the IRS.
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Step 2
Ensure the tax attorney is not only a member of the American Bar Association and state bar, but also has advanced tax law training like a Master of Law degree in taxation. In many states, only tax attorneys certified in that specific state can deal with the IRS on a client’s behalf. As an added plus, some tax lawyers are also CPAs, which can also give them additional insight into your case.
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Step 3
Consult with potential tax attorneys before retaining one. Ask for references to ensure the tax attorney has extensive experience and a successful track record negotiating IRS audits. You may also want to find a tax lawyer that specializes in income tax cases.
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Step 4
Choose a tax attorney who takes time to review your information and explains the IRS audit in understandable terms rather than simply making lofty promises. The tax lawyer should also be willing to work in conjunction with your financial planner or tax preparer, if necessary, to give you the best service possible.
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Step 5
Discuss fees before you retain a tax attorney to ensure the services are within your budget. Some tax lawyers charge per hour (often in the $200 to $400 range), while others have flat fees to negotiate with the IRS or handle IRS audits. Ask about possible payment plans and about the additional cost if the case ends up in tax court.
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Step 6
Find a low-cost assistance for your IRS audit through your local Legal Aid office or through a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic if you can't afford the tax attorney. (See Resources below for a link to the clinic list.)
Comments
Kallicat said
on 1/29/2009 Wonderful tax attorney tips.