When and Why You Need to Hire an IRS Tax Relief Lawyer

When you got out of bed this morning, you probably didn’t expect to be looking for a tax relief attorney. The most common reason one might seek a tax relief attorney is receiving a letter from the IRS for back taxes or receiving an audit. The audit may be the result of one or more of your past tax returns. In either situation, you should seek the services of a reputable IRS tax relief attorney.

Communications with the IRS
A tax relief lawyer contacts the IRS on your behalf. They can help you by being present during your audit and help you negotiate agreements if necessary. If you are a taxpayer who has ignored IRS notices and letters, you may be threatened with criminal charges that may include tax evasion. Once you know you are the target of an IRS investigation, you should hire or consult with a tax professional or attorney.

Your lawyer will assure the IRS that the investigation is being taken seriously. They will also work alongside the IRS to make sure your audit goes smoothly and help you reduce your back taxes and settle for an affordable number.

Offer in Compromise Agreement
An offer in compromise (OIC) is a type of agreement made between the IRS and the taxpayer to settle tax liabilities for less than the amount due. To qualify for the OIC, you and your attorney will need to show the IRS that:

• You cannot pay the full amount they ask for, either through a lump sum or an agreement to pay over time.
• There is doubt about the total amount of the tax liability.
• Due to exceptional circumstances, full payment would cause financial hardship, be unfair or inequitable.

To qualify for the OIC, you and your tax relief attorney will need to apply and pay the application fee if it applies to your circumstances.

Tax Evasion and Fraud
Tax evasion and tax fraud are criminal offenses charged by the IRS when citizens refuse to file tax returns, pay taxes, or fail to disclose all sources of income. The charges include fines, interest on taxes owed, prosecution fees, and even jail time. If you discover that IRS agents have been dispatched to your home or office, it’s time to hire an IRS tax attorney.

You should never try to handle these types of charges or investigations on your own. You could inadvertently be further incriminating yourself by speaking only to IRS officials, so it is always recommended to have a tax attorney present when speaking with the IRS. IRS tax relief lawyers understand the laws that relate to your specific tax case and can argue your case in the most favorable way for your situation and obtain the best result. So, if you’ve recently been audited by the IRS or owe a lot of back taxes that you can’t pay, contact a tax relief attorney today.