JCOHS Lawyers and Attorneys

“You’ve probably read in the newspapers of various celebrities and successful business who manage to avoid or at least substantially reduce their UK taxes – whilst a significant proportion of the general public are paying close to 50% of their income in tax. Well, there’s nothing to prevent you using some of these techniques to slash your UK taxes as well, depending on your circumstances.

Here’s some of the techniques that the Rich & famous use:

Make the most of your offshore status

People like Mohammad al Fayed make tremendous use of their non UK domiciled status. If you’re an overseas national and were born overseas (typically your father will also have been a non UK domiciliary at the date of your birth) you can avoid paying any tax on your overseas income and capital gains. The main condition to this is that you need to keep the income or proceeds outside of the UK. As you’d expect though there are ways around this to enable some of the proceeds and income to be brought into the UK free of taxes

Make the most of your spouses offshore status

If you’re lucky enough to have a husband or wife that is either non UK resident or non UK domiciled you can use their offshore status to your advantage. This is what Philip Green did (the billionaire owner of BHS). His wife is a resident of Monaco and he ensured that she extracted dividends from his UK companies free of UK (and overseas) tax. This saved him paying UK tax of around £200Million that he would have otherwise had to pay if he’d extracted the dividends.

Using a tax efficient holding company.

Famous bands such as U2 and the Rolling stones make use of some of the best offshore companies to avoid paying tax on much of their income. U2 for example used to fall within the Irish tax regime which had a longstanding tax exemption for artists. When this loophole was tightened up, they moved their holding company to the Netherlands to take advantage of tax free royalties. There are lots of other countries that can also offer tax efficient holding companies such as Spain, Denmark and Cyprus. Using tax efficient trading companies.

Multinationals such as Coca Cola make good use of a string of offshore companies to ensure that they can redistribute profits within the group to reduce the overall ‘effective’ rate of corporation tax. (It is reducing this effective rate that is the main focus of many in house tax lawyers lives!)

Actually move overseas Celebrities such as James Blunt, Michael Schumacher and Boris Becker have all moved offshore to ensure they have only limited UK tax obligations. They’ve based themselves in Switzerland and are local residents. The beauty of Switzerland is the ‘fiscal deal’ which allows the tax liability to be fixed at an artificially low amount.

So there you have it – some ideas to get you thinking about how you could use the offshore tax planning techniques of the rich and famous. For more detailed articles on offshore tax visit www.wealthprotectionreport.co.uk

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By: Lee Handum

About the Author:

Matter of James P. Colliton (First Dept.; Admitted to Bar: 1989). Discipline imposed: Disbarred

This one ends with a whimper, rather than a bang.

Attorney Colliton worked at the top law firm of Cravath Swaine & Moore, earning, like, half-a-mil ($500,000) a year. He had a wife and kids upstate in Poughkeepsie, and spent his days perusing the complexities of our tax laws.

Colliton, age 39, had a taste for underage girls. You may remember this case from the newspapers. Arrested in September, 2006, Colliton claimed that the two teenage sisters that he had sex with, aged 13 and 15, were imped to him by their mother.

Before he could be arrested, he tried to run away. He ran to Toronto, Canada, but was released due to a communication foul up. He fled back to Manhattan.

Finally, he was arrested alone in his room at a flea bag hotel in Manhattan. This criminal mastermind made the desk clerk suspicious when he tried to register under two different names.

He was recognized, and the cops called.

According to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, Colliton was carrying identification in the name of “James Sullivan,” and “had a bag with a lot of cash in it and a lot of American Express gift cards.”

Finally, as related by the Departmental Disciplinary Committee:

On October 2, 2007, respondent [Colliton] pleaded guilty in Supreme Court, New York County, to rape in the second degree in violation of Penal Law § 130.30(1), a class D felony, and to patronizing a prostitute in the third degree in violation of Penal Law § 230.04, a class A misdemeanor, in full satisfaction of Indictment No. 0861-2006. On that same day, respondent also pleaded guilty to rape in the third degree in violation of Penal Law § 130.25(2), a class E felony, in full satisfaction of Indictment No. 1748-2006. The charges to which respondent pled guilty alleged that he engaged in sexual intercourse with a person who was less than 15 years old and a person who was less than 17 years old, and that he patronized a prostitute who was less than 17 years old. On October 11, 2007, respondent was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year on each charge, to be served concurrently, and was required to register as a sex offender.

And the case ends with a whimper: Upon conviction of a felony, Colliton was automatically disbarred, and so holds the Departmental Disciplinary Committee.

Commentary: This rather dry opinion marks the end to a high-paying legal career. It being well known that prison is particularly tough for child molesters, one can only wonder as to how tough prison will be for a child-molesting tax attorney.



By: Gary E Rosenberg

About the Author:

Tax attorney’ is nothing but a lawyer, who is aware of tax law complications. One might need the suggestion and expertise from a reputed as well as qualified tax attorney in several situations. Most significant part is to get the right individual for a job, because they’re the one from whom he or she is about to obtain tax help. One might be suggested to take up an experienced tax professional rather than tax lawyer. One should understand those things which could be carried on by tax attorney prior in hiring someone.

Several things can be performed by tax lawyer. Most essential service which could be rendered by tax lawyer is to help people in their financial and tax planning. This could be only applicable if people have sizable properties. If they possess sizable properties, they might need suggestions on property planning strategies for helping them to file property tax returns.

One could even get the tax lawyer services for the business tax setting up and as well as in devising business strategies. The entire novel venture requires of those professionals assistance for framing their ventures’ legal structure. Any kind of international business would even require the assistance of such professionals.

Any kind of sensitive information could be shared along with this type of attorney, because they’re not permitted for testifying in opponent to their clients. There’s some level of attorney – clientele confidentiality.

Payment of tax is actually made simple through revenue services, because they’re providing instalment agreement. Such scheme has made huge amount’s payment like tax simple. Such agreements contain reasonable terms which make them well known. Only tax attorney could help one in using instalment agreements for a highest probable extend.

Such attorneys could even assist one in the ‘bankruptcy analyses. They should offer their statement for making the bankruptcy as legal. The bankruptcy analysis process is extremely tricky that even the well-experienced lawyers face difficulty in understanding the process complexities. Every circumstances related to the bankruptcy is quite unique and a consultation of an expert is required to tackle such circumstances perfectly.

If one has unfiled tax returns then taking the assistance of the attorney who is experienced in the taxation should be approached as he or she could assist one in clearing their tax returns. Opting for the assistance of tax lawyer would help one immensely by clearing their unpaid taxes and saving one from further trouble. Actually, unfiled tax returns are liabilities which require to be given special attention.

Anything which requires one to face the tax court should be dealt by having consultation along with the tax lawyer, therefore by this one would be able to understand as to what it’s all about and as well as how one should face this. There’re numerous companies providing tax help for the entrepreneurs as well as to common people. These people support one in clearing the questions regarding taxation as well as help one in all their complications regarding tax. One more thing which requires the consultation if the tax lawyer is when one goes for appeals. Appeals are dealt with fine care because they’re those cases which have been already ruled against him or her. Now – a – days, the tax lawyers play great role in the business.



By: Martin

About the Author:

So you want to study for a law degree take up a career as a lawyer? Many people have misconceptions on what the legal profession is all about. Contrary to what you watch on TV and movies or from newspaper reports, lawyers do most of their work in offices and legal libraries instead of just socking out exciting legal cases in courtrooms. Lawyers meet clients in homes, offices, hospitals or even in prisons. So the career of a lawyer may not be as glamorous as what is commonly being portrayed or thought to be.

Lawyers in private practices usually work long and irregular hours while conducting research, meeting and entertaining clients, or preparing legal papers during non-office hours. It is a fact that most successful lawyers often work long grueling hours and this is one of the most common reasons why many lawyers continue to drop out of the legal profession and embark other careers. They may face particularly heavy pressure when a case is being brought up for trial and they must be continuously educated on the latest laws, conventions and judicial decisions.

Although a lawyer’s work usually is non seasonal, there are exceptions such as for the tax lawyers and other law specialists.

Newly hired lawyers usually start as law associates and work with more senior and experienced lawyers. After several years of gaining experience and responsibilities, some lawyers are admitted to partnership in law firms or they may set up their own law firms.

As lawyers get more experienced and reputable, they may be nominated and appointed as magistrates and judges. Others may opt for a career in the academia becoming legal lecturers and educators. Some lawyers also work in large corporations and become legal advisors under employment.

It was reported that lawyers in USA held about 730,000 jobs in 2004. About 3 out of 4 lawyers practiced privately, either as partners of law firms or in their own solo practices. Most salaried lawyers held positions in the government civil service or with big corporations.

Government lawyers work for many different government agencies, especially so in the departments of justice, treasury, and defense. Many salaried lawyers are also employed as house counsel by public utilities, banks, insurance companies, real estate agencies and other commercial businesses.

Employment of lawyers is expected to grow as a result population and economic growth. There is also an increasing demand for lawyers and attorneys in health care, intellectual property, venture capital, antitrust and environmental legal issues. However, competition for lawyers though is expected to be fierce because of the large number of law graduates graduating from universities, colleges and law schools every year.

Therefore, if you want to have a career as a lawyer, do not think of the legal profession as a glamorous one. Being a successful legal eagle requires a lot of hard work and skills, just like in any other noble profession.



By: Chris Chew

About the Author:

The downside of the corporate entity, however, had to do with taxes. Simply put, a double taxation situation arose because the corporation had to pay taxes on its profits and then the shareholders had to also pay taxes on their dividends and earnings.

The IRS eventually got around to dealing with the double taxation issue. Well, Congress did. Instead of changing how the corporation was taxed, Congress enacted Subchapter S of the internal revenue code. This section, of course, lends its title to the name of the “S” corporation.

The goal with the new tax code section was to give small business a break when they used corporations. Instead of dealing with double taxation issues, small businesses could elect to be treated differently. By electing to be an S-corporation, they could pass through the finances of the business to their personal tax returns much like a partnership. This is not a tax article per se, so the important thing to understand is the tax burden is less with the S election.

In passing the code, Congress also limited the situations in which it could be used. The restrictions are fairly basic. You can have no more than 75 shareholders. The shareholders can be individuals, but not LLCs or C corporations. Congress also required you to show your cards early on your designation. You have 2 months and 15 days from formation to declare your S status by filing form 2553 with the IRS.

You will note from the above discussion, there is no mention of states. This is because the S corporation is purely a federal tax issue. Many states do not even recognize that S corps exist for tax purposes, meaning they tax it exactly like a C corporation. Obviously, you will have to check your states view on the matter.

Regardless, the important thing to tax from this article is the S-corporation is largely a tax issue on the federal level. When it comes to forming the entity in your state, you just file the basic corporation papers required by your secretary of state. The S election is then made with the IRS.



By: SD Lawyer

About the Author:

Tax law is a highly specialized area of expertise and there are many different types of taxes. Thus, not all lawyers have expertise in all types of tax issues or problems. As a result, it would be a good idea on your part to prepare a bit more in looking for a good tax lawyer than might be the case with other areas of legal expertise.

The biggest fear of most Americans is a tax audit. If the IRS audits you, it is time to retain an experienced tax lawyer. Audits are undeniably scary things. That being said, not all audits are equal. The IRS, in fact, uses three different types of tax audits. The tax attorney is the person who can help you now.

Correspondence tax audits are the tool used most by them. In these audits, if it lets you know there is a problem and asks for more money or information. If they are asking for information that makes you nervous, go see a tax lawyer. If they are asking for money, determine whether you are comfortable paying it or want to fight it.

Office audits are a step up from correspondence audits. You are asked to come to an office with documents and/or information. It is highly recommended that you do not go without an experienced tax audit lawyer. If you do, the agent may try to get you to say incriminating statements or provide information for which they have no right to get. A good tax audit lawyer will put a stop to such tactics.

Field audits are the stuff of legend. In a field audit, they come to you. An agent will appear at your office or home and start rifling documents. This should scare the “you know what” out of you. In such a situation, you must get a tax audit lawyer. They will often sit down with the agent as the audit occurs. This is particularly effective since the lawyer can effectively push the agent in directions that are helpful to you while avoiding less comfortable areas.

When the IRS comes calling, it is extremely important to take the situation seriously. They aren’t auditing you unless the agency believes you are playing games with your taxes. The agent’s mindset will not be whether you have done something wrong. Instead, it will be how to find proof you’ve done it. This mindset often leads to further tax assessments and even jail time for tax evasion.

If they contact you regarding an audit, you could be looking at years of stress. Once you make the smart choice of retaining a tax audit lawyer, you need to pick the right one.

You want to select a tax audit lawyer who does nothing but fight for you. He or she should have at least seven years of experience doing this and probably more. Again, you don’t want an inexperienced lawyer to be learning while defending you. The definition of wisdom is learning from your mistakes. You want a lawyer who already has wisdom, not one who will gain it on your case.



By: Ron Finkelstein

About the Author:

Looking for a new career and comfortable working with figures? Then you might consider becoming a tax attorney. It is well worth investigating what the training might involve – people faced with an impending battle with the IRS or confusion over the tax laws, highlight the fact that tax attorneys are in demand.

The rules and regulations that surround things like filing your tax returns and making appropriate documentation often need further clarification. Some people just don’t fully understand what they are doing and as a result could end up with stiff penalties for their ignorance. A tax attorney can help with these problems and make life easier for many people.

In order to be successful as a tax attorney then you need to learn the tax code and laws, inside out. Then, if a person needs assistance with Internal Revenue Service issues you will be able to help. A good tax attorney can help organize and analyze the information that is needed to appease the IRS – if you can do this then your services will be in demand. The complex forms that need filling in can be overwhelming for people without that specialist knowledge.

There are a number of things that could prove a problem with the IRS. If you can’t account for any mistakes you have made then you could be liable for heavy penalties. This could result in your hard earned dollars going to fines and additional penalties. If the IRS takes action against you over your past tax filings, you may need to employ a tax attorney if you want to avoid any prosecution for fraud.

Tax attorneys are called upon to help in a number of different areas. Someone may request help with their Payroll Taxes – or they may be called to speak on behalf of someone facing penalties from the IRS. Tax specialists represent those who have filed late returns for one or more years and can argue for a lenient payment plan for their clients. Tax attorneys choose whether they want to be paid by the hour or whether they will charge on the basis of a given assignment.

What An Attorney Should Be Acquainted With

A tax attorney should be familiar with state and federal codes and how these operate. It is also advisable to develop a working knowledge of various incomes, properties and other personal wealth as these are all liable to taxes. A tax lawyer should be an expert in the ways of state and federal laws. This means all the possible taxes that exist. This may include sales, gift, as well as inheritance taxes. It is also advisable for a tax attorney to be familiar with the laws regarding the estates of the recently deceased.

A regular tax-related attorney should be able to deal with all of this information. A tax fraud attorney on the other hand is employed by those who have made a few mistakes in their tax filings. Some attorneys develop a specialist area and their services therefore are specific to the needs of particular individuals and businesses. The attorney may also specialize in one of two main tax issues: the IRS or another taxing authority. Either way, a tax lawyer is often in demand for protecting parts of people’s incomes and solving complex business issues.

Prerequisites Needed

To become a tax attorney you need training which results in the qualification of Juris Doctor or equivalent degree. Once you have the right educational credentials, then you need to be licensed by a State Board of Law Examiners if you want to practice as an attorney or counselor. If you really are interested in becoming a tax specialist then you may consider applying to a good law school. They will have various entry qualifications that you may need to fulfill first. Do some research on the different institutions and their requirements first.

Summary:

If you want to become a tax attorney you need to find out what they do first. A tax attorney helps people to deal with their taxes in the proper manner. An individual or a business may need the help of a tax attorney for a variety of reasons – including mistakes in their returns or late tax returns. You need quite a high educational level to become a tax lawyer.



By: Brooke Hayles

About the Author:

Are you extremely worried about your tax debt? Do you think the IRS may decide to come after your assets soon enough? This is not a situation to take lightly. You have to be on your game if you are going to get out of tax debt without any bumps in the road. One thing you definitely want to consider is hiring a tax lawyer. When you do this you are getting many benefits including these three:

1. You do not have to communicate with the IRS direct if you hire a tax lawyer. Instead, your lawyer will do all the talking and all you have to do is stay up to date behind the scenes. This does not mean that you are totally off the hook, because you still have to do some work. But at the very least you will not have to communicate directly with the IRS.

2. Everybody in tax debt will have questions, no matter what they may be. If you are tired of getting the run around you can find all the right answers by hiring a tax lawyer. You will be amazed at how much better you feel about your situation when you have a lawyer on your side that can answer questions and show you the way.

3. A tax lawyer is not always as expensive as many believe. Before you hire any tax professional, attorney or not, you need to know how much you are being charged and when you will owe the money. Make sure you are comfortable with what your tax lawyer is going to charge before you sign up for them to work on your case. You have enough money problems. You don’t need a tax lawyer trying to take more money from you.

Now do you see why getting tax debt help through a lawyer is a good idea? You can benefit in the three ways listed above, as well as many others. If you are in need of help to eliminate tax debt the first thing you should do is consider your options, which includes hiring a lawyer.



By: Manuel Davis Jr.

About the Author:

It is extremely important for off shore companies Costa Rica to have a tax lawyer in Costa Rica which will be able to help them with their investments and prevent them from paying any more taxes than required. A tax lawyer in Costa Rica is capable of helping people figure out which type of business charter is right for their particular business. It is possible for off shore companies Costa Rica to make a lot of profits by moving their businesses to these Central American companies. 

 

There are many companies that are having a difficult time staying afloat trying to manufacture products that people are capable of affording. These are many advantages to choosing to have a couple off shore companies Costa Rica. One advantage is the fact that it is possible to find cheaper labor in Costa Rica which will allow you to make an affordable product. This is why many companies are moving their production to off shore companies which helps them create more affordable products. It is important to get into contact with a tax lawyer in Costa Rica before deciding to open any off shore companies Costa Rica. 

 

It is very difficult for companies in the United States to compete with companies that are creating products for less using cheaper labor from other companies. People are obviously going to choose to purchase the products that are cheaper regardless of where they were made. This is why many companies are developing off shore companies Costa Rica where they’ll be able to receive tax incentives and create more affordable products for their customers. 

 

You should contact a tax lawyer in Costa Rica when thinking about creating a few off shore companies Costa Rica. These people will be able to explain your options to you. They will also be able to explain the work laws in the country to you. You’ll then need to take this into consideration and determine whether or not opening a few off shore companies for you will be a good idea or not. It is a good idea to keep your headquarters in the United States and then have a few off shore companies which will be able to create cheap products. This is one of the few things that you should consider discussing with your tax lawyer in Costa Rica. 

 

The tax lawyer will also oversee your taxes and make sure that the government receives your tax payments. It is important to allow a tax lawyer to handy these types of responsibilities to make sure that your taxes get paid on time and you don’t end up falling behind.  You should also consider contacting a law firm in Costa Rica to see if they can help you set up a business and help protect your trade and copyrights. You should consider contacting a tax lawyer in Costa Rica to see if they can help you setup an off shore banking account. 



By: Vikram Kumar

About the Author:

Finding a tax professional to solve your tax problems is like the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Make the right choice and all your wounds will be healed. Make the wrong choice and you’ll be turned into a screaming shriveled skeleton. Whether it’s a tax attorney, certified public account or certified tax resolution specialist (CTRS), it’s important to choose your tax representative wisely.

If you’ve got tax problems, like delinquent tax returns, back taxes, payroll taxes or other tax collection or audit issues, your first instinct may be to open up the yellow page or Google or ask around for recommendations. Great, now you’ve got some names, but how can you find the right expert to give you the IRS help you need?

To avoid paying a high hourly rate unnecessarily, go through this tax attorney/CPA/tax resolution specialist interview checklist first. This checklist will help you weed out the tax relief scammers, as well as the merely inept attorneys and CPAs out there who will leave you with their high fees, your original tax debt, plus additional penalties and charges.

Print out this article and ask the following questions.

Before you face a tax attorney or tax resolution professional, first look in the mirror to get a handle on your tax problem.

Are you looking at personal income tax issues (you are an innocent spouse or a victim of tax fraud), business tax problems (such as unpaid payroll taxes, sales taxes), estate taxes, foundation or charity tax issues? Are you dealing with just federal or state taxes too? Do you have tax problems in multiple states or jurisdictions? Does the IRS know about the issue yet or have you just discovered it? Did the IRS contact you but you’ve buried your head in the sand hoping it would go away? Are your records a shambles? Can you attempt a true reckoning of what happened? Has the IRS come to your home or place of business? Has the IRS demanded an in-person audit? Has the IRS garnished your wages, put in tax liens or seized any property?

Answering these questions will help you decide what kind of tax help you need.

When you get tax problem resolution professional recommendations from friends, you need to compare apples to apples. While a CPA will have a cheaper hourly rate than a great tax lawyer, they can’t do what a good tax lawyer can. A great CPA can put your tax records in order so you can get a true accounting of the “historical” road just travelled, but they probably shouldn’t take you into battle with the IRS because they don’t spend all their time negotiating tax resolutions the way specialized tax professionals do. You need someone who battles the IRS for a living, who has learned the latest laws and knows all the secrets to helping resolve your tax problem.

That’s why some tax resolution firms offer a team of expert tax professionals to help you get the best possible outcome for your tax settlement.  So before you rack up those high hourly charges, you need to make sure you are talking to the right tax professional who can do the job for you. You will be hiring this tax attorney, so treat your initial consultation as what it should be, a job interview.

Questions to ask a tax attorney, CPA or certified tax resolution specialist:

About the firm:

1. How long has they been in business solving IRS problems? The longer they have been handling negotiations with the IRS the better.  A lawyer or CPA firm may just do tax law on the side and not be dedicated to knowing the ins and outs of IRS negotiations.

2. How many tax attorneys do they have on staff? (Some firms are only CPAs, some are nothing but former IRS agents, some are straight law firms with only one or two tax attorneys). If you don’t do tax resolution day in and day out, you don’t know all the loopholes, tricks and tools. Look for someone who is a certified tax resolution specialist, they have to take a special exam and have a number of years of experience and continuing education in this field. There are only about 200 in the entire country who actually do this as a living.

3. What is their success rate with tax cases? Don’t take a generic number here. Ask about the success rate for cases like yours. Don’t expect a perfect score. For example in most cases the Offer in Compromise is a starting offer. Only about 2% are immediately accepted by the IRS. The more important number is comparing cases like yours. What is the total dollar amount negotiated in settlements divided by total dollars in tax, interest and penalties owed? In short, how much did these tax attorneys save their clients?

4. Do they offer a guarantee? Run away if they do. No one can guarantee anything.

5. Does the law firm or tax resolution company want all the money up front? If they do, run. Once tax professionals have your money, they have no incentive to go the extra mile for you. If your tax attorney, tax resolution specialist or CPA wants some “good faith money” that’s fine.

6. Do they give you a high pressure sales pitch? If they are pushing that hard, that’s a warning sign to stay away. In many cases when you get a sales pitch you are talking with a salesperson, not a tax attorney or tax resolution specialist who can help you.

7. Check out your potential tax attorney or tax resolution firm with the Better Business Bureau, but keep in mind the volume of people the company serves. If the company has 20 complaints over three years but has served 5,000 clients in that time, that’s a 0.4% failure rate, or said differently a 99.6% satisfaction rate. Even that can be misleading because the BBB only tracks complaints, not resolutions. Even if the client got a full refund and 100% satisfaction, the client can’t withdraw their complaint once it is filed with the BBB. You could also Google their name with the words “complaint,” “rip-off” and “scam.” And if they are a tax attorney, check with your state’s bar to see if they have any complaints against them.

8. Ask for the names of the people who own the law firm or tax resolution company. If your contact is elusive on this, run. Bottom line, you need to know who runs the show. You need the name of the owner, NOT the senior tax attorney. If your IRS case goes south or the tax attorney handling your case is a problem, you need to know exactly who you can complain to or who to seek redress from.

9. Find out the name of the tax attorney or tax resolution specialist who will be taking your case. Find out how quickly they respond to your inquiries. Do they answer their phone or email promptly? Ask for references of satisfied customers for that specific tax attorney or tax resolution professional. (Given the confidentiality of tax resolution work, a personal reference for a tax attorney might be hard to come by.)

10. Does the tax attorney or tax resolution firm have experience in multi-jurisdictional issues? Because the IRS is a federal agency, there are three people permitted to practice before the IRS. You have to be an active licensed member of the state bar, a certified public accountant actively licensed or an enrolled agent. No matter where they live, they can represent the taxpayer before the IRS is all 50 states.

11. Will this tax attorney or tax resolution specialist go with you to an in-person audit? Although 90% of tax resolution work is done over the phone, electronically or via FedEx, sometimes you need a tax attorney to literally hold your hand in an audit. But don’t choose a tax attorney just because they have an office near your home. An accident of geography doesn’t mean they are the right tax attorney for the job. In many cases a national firm such as ours can make sure you never have to darken the door of an IRS audit.

12. How can they help you if the IRS wants to come to your home or business?

13. Is the firm just a tax form filler? Just because they prepare a lot tax returns doesn’t mean they are ready to battle the IRS. There are a number of tax resolution and “tax attorney” scams that do nothing but type up an Offer in Compromise and just mail it to the IRS. That’s all the service these “tax attorneys” provide. These companies are at best, a waste of time and money and at worst, a one-way ticket to big trouble.

14. What are their prices? Don’t be penny-wise but pound-foolish. Don’t just lock onto a tax attorney or tax resolution firm’s low price. Look for value and the number of services you get. Will this tax attorney or tax resolution professional give you preparation of all IRS forms, all backup documentation, and all negotiation with the IRS?



When you meet or interview your tax resolution specialist or tax attorney ask them:

1. Where did this tax attorney or CPA go to school for tax resolution? How current are they (how much continuing education is this tax attorney taking)?

2. How long has this tax attorney or tax professional practiced tax resolution, not straight tax law but real battle with the IRS for tax resolution?

3. What percentage of their jobs are tax problems like yours?

4. Who is their direct supervisor? What is their contact information?

5. Does the individual tax attorney, CPA or tax resolution specialist have references?

6. What is his/her personal success rate? (How many Offers in Compromise settlements have been accepted and what was the negotiated amount owed versus the initial amount of taxes owed and penalties? In short, how much has this individual tax attorney or tax resolution professional saved clients? How does this tax attorney or tax resolution specialist compare to the rest of the firm: above average or below?)

7. What sorts of releases for tax liens, levies, etc. have they achieved? How fast?

8. What sorts of penalties (like mine) have this tax attorney/ tax resolution specialist gotten waived?

9. What sorts of installment agreements in situations like mine has this tax attorney or tax resolution professional negotiated and what was the payment schedule?

Once you are convinced you have found the tax attorney or tax resolution specialist that can help you, you’ll feel like you’ve found the Holy Grail. Choose wisely.

For more information on achieving a tax resolution for your IRS problems or back taxes, visit www.taxresolution.com for a free tax relief consultation or call 866-IRS-PROBLEMS.



By: Michael Rozbruch

About the Author: