Tax Attorneys – Hire a Business Tax Lawyer

Find an Attorney for Strategic Tax Planning or IRS Debt Relief

Oct 7, 2009

When hiring a business tax attorney, look for a professional with the proper education, prior successes, and certifications to handle a tax plan or help with IRS relief.

Finding a business tax attorney or an income tax lawter can be a daunting task. Whether a business needs tax strategy advice for planning purposes, or an individual is in need of IRS tax relief, a tax lawyer can help navigate the often-confusing tax landscape. When looking to hire a tax attorney, it is important to focus on educational qualifications, proper certification, and prior successes. Do not stop there, however. Be sure to shop around for counsel that fits the specific needs of the business or individual searching.

A tax attorney is foremost a lawyer. This means that the individual has attended an ABA accredited law school, graduated, passed the bar exam for the state where the attorney practices, and is currently in good standing with that bar association. These are the basic, minimum qualifications that an attorney must possess.

Tax, however, is an extremely complex area of law, and tax attorneys will often have an additional year of schooling, called a Masters in Tax or an LLM in Taxation. This means that the lawyer took an entire year of only classes in taxation. Finding an attorney with a Masters in Taxation is one way to ensure that the lawyer is committed and knowledgeable about tax law.

Accounting Background as an Additional Qualification

Apart from an advanced degree in taxation, look for an attorney who is also a CPA or has a degree in accounting or finance. This does not necessarily provide the same level of knowledge as a lawyer with a tax specialty LLM, but such counsel will be more knowledgeable than a general practitioner.

Check up on Current Qualifications and Disciplinary Actions Against an Attorney

Also, make sure that the lawyer is licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where the suit is being filed. Once a few names of tax attorneys have been collected, enter them into the local bar association website to determine credentials, current licensing, and whether they have been disciplined by their local bar association.

Often, bar associations will provide a referral to an attorney that practices in a specific area upon request. Alternatively, if someone needing the help of a tax lawyer already has an estate planning attorney or a general practitioner, start there when asking for a referral.

Estate planning lawyers are a particularly good source of referrals, because many estate planning attorneys received the same masters in taxation as tax lawyers, due to the complex tax problems that come up frequently in estate planning. Thus, they may have many reliable peers that they know who primarily engage in tax work.

Advertisements are also a way to find potential tax attorneys, but do not rely on advertisements solely without checking out the lawyer on the local bar web site. Assess a potential attorney's track record and past successes by doing a web search of their name or even directly asking them what they have done for individuals in similar situations. Get a list of references if possible.

Talk Cost and Potential Solutions Before Retaining an Attorney

Lawyers are ethically obligated to disclose their fee schedules in a manner that is understandable to clients. Whether they choose an hourly fee, a flat rate, or a retainer fee should be disclosed to the client prior to retention. In some states, the attorney is required to get this schedule set forth in writing and signed by the client prior to representation. Do not be shy in asking a lawyer what they charge for which services and when. There should be no surprises when it comes to legal bills.

If an attorney is not forthcoming with fees, dodges questions, or is not willing to put fees in writing, do not use that lawyer. There are many qualified attorneys who are willing to be upfront and honest in their dealings with clients.

A Lawyer Needs all the Facts to Give Tax Relief Help

Also, be honest about the situation when speaking to a lawyer. Hiding facts, whether due to embarrassment or what is perceived as confidential information, will result in an attorney not being able to give an honest assessment of a client's situation.

Lawyers are ethically obligated to maintain confidentiality, even if the client ultimately retains another attorney. So, be honest in what services are needed and find out if the lawyer is equipped to handle the job. This means nailing down exactly what the attorney is capable of and how he or she plans to help. For example, is the lawyer capable of reducing tax debt through IRS negotiations, able to stop garnishment of wages, or able to create a tax planning strategy and how.

Only Retain an Attorney Who Communicates Well

Last but not least, if an attorney does not respond to calls or emails, do not retain that lawyer. This does not mean that the attorney is at the beck and call of the client. Lawyers are busy, and often, a client calling twenty times per day will not help solve that particular client's problems. However, if the attorney is already not responding to calls or emails, and the client has not even signed a contract for services, then that lawyer may be too busy to adequately serve the needs of new clients. Attorneys should be professional, attentive, organized, on deadline, and should be committed to helping clients solve their problems.

The copyright of the article Tax Attorneys – Hire a Business Tax Lawyer in Taxes is owned by Alia Luria. Permission to republish Tax Attorneys – Hire a Business Tax Lawyer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.