WHY A TAX ATTORNEY?

In today’s world there are many people seeking to help solve your tax problems. They range from “independents” with no professional designation, former IRS employees (revenue agents and officers), accountants, certified public accountants, tax preparers, attorneys and others. You have significant advantages choosing a tax attorney for solving your IRS problems. For one the tax attorney is a specialist who deals with the tax law on a daily basis. It is not a part time occupation nor is it something done occasionally. They are trained to “know” the tax law and to find and understand the loopholes and solve your problem. Additionally and of extreme importance to you, as a client you enjoy the attorney-client privilege. Statements made to your attorney are private and cannot be obtained by the IRS. Other professionals and even enrolled agents of the IRS do not enjoy this privilege to the extent of an attorney-client relationship. The clearest example of this is in a criminal tax investigation the only professional you continue to have a privilege with is your attorney. Your tax attorney is also trained to be your advocate. He can take your case to a higher level than other professionals. For example, he can continue your right of appeal to the federal courts. By starting with the tax attorney you pay one person to represent you from “beginning to end” and never start over or pay two fees, two people to learn the same facts, research the same tax law and represent you in your tax matters.

Be aware that the IRS only recognizes Attorneys, CPA’s and Enrolled Agents as authorized to negotiate on your behalf. Many people hire “part timers” to prepare their annual return, use the company bookkeeper or even a friend. Others may choose a CPA to prepare their return. CPA’s are trained experts in the financial area, but their tax return preparation time is limited typically to 2-3 months each year. The rest of their time is on other matters. Attorneys from other practice areas are also highly trained individuals. However, a non-tax attorney will be representing you in a tax matter which may well be the first (and last) time he will handle your particular issue. His research time alone can exceed the total time of the tax attorney. After the research the non-tax attorney must then determine how to handle and negotiate your problem!

You need a specialist who deals on a daily basis with tax issues and facts similar to those faced by you. An experienced tax attorney knows the tax laws and the regulations. He has probably addressed your issue or one similar and negotiated the matter with the IRS. His professional time is dedicated to this type of work. It is not, as it will be for a CPA or non-tax attorney, a training ground. This is the tax attorney’s daily business. He is trained to locate and emphasize the ambiguities in the tax law and seek out the gray areas to support your position. This benefits you because the tax laws are frequently not “open and shut”. He will analyze your situation and seek the best solution; not just “fill out the forms” and routinely follow the IRS proposed solution.