A Guide for Hiring a Tax Lawyer

For many individuals and businesses, hiring an experienced tax lawyer can be one of the best decisions in life. Tax lawyers are specialized professionals engaged in improving your tax situation. Tax lawyers focus on tax laws that include different types of taxes such as income tax, estate tax, cross-border taxation, and more. Besides reducing tax liability, they also act as taxpayer advocates before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other government authorities. The two primary services offered by these professionals include- tax planning and resolving tax conflicts. Tax planning services are widely used by corporations and high-net-worth individuals to streamline their financial affairs to reduce their tax bills.

The job of a tax attorney is to assist you in complying with tax regulations and resolving tax issues. They can assist you in filing an appeal, representing you in an audit, or negotiating a payment plan with the IRS. They can assist you with federal, state, and municipal taxes. So, whether you need assistance in filing your tax return or need a cross-border tax plan, hiring a tax lawyer is the smart choice. But how to choose the right professional?

Hiring a Tax Lawyer

The majority of tax attorneys have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, and many have an LLM in taxation from a law school. Tax lawyers must pass the bar test to get licensed to practice law. No matter what type of tax-related services you need, make sure to consider a few things when hiring a tax lawyer, such as:

1.       Review Credentials

When looking for a tax lawyer, make sure to inquire about qualifications such as licensing and certifications. They should have tax law experience and be certified by the state in which they practice. Inquiring about qualifications can help ensure that you are working with a skilled tax lawyer who can assist you with your tax issues. Every state's court commission or attorney registry can confirm that the person is an attorney.

2.       Specialization and Success Rates

Your tax attorney must be a specialist or have competence in the area of tax law that your circumstance requires. For example, if you're looking for help with estate taxation, don't hire a lawyer specializing in state tax issues. The lawyer should have ample experience in a specific field of tax law in which you require assistance. Always ask about their specialty and success rates. A skilled tax lawyer will have experience to deal with the IRS and should have a high success rate in cases similar to yours. They should also be able to provide you with a free consultation so you can see how they would manage your tax concerns. Also, find out their courtroom success percentages. You don't want to employ a lawyer who has a low success rate and is unlikely to win your case.

3.       Consider Reputation

When choosing a tax lawyer, reputation and referrals are crucial. It is critical to ask around for suggestions from individuals you trust. You can create a list of high-rated tax lawyers and then start narrowing down your options. To make the best choice, look for someone highly trusted by others. Besides reputation, don’t forget to check their availability and affordability. You don’t want to hire a tax lawyer who isn’t trusted by other businesses or someone too busy to answer your calls.