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When Do You Need a Tax Attorney?
By William
Perez, About.com Guide
See More About:
working with an accountant
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When Do You Need a Tax Attorney? Tax
attorneys are lawyers who specialize in the complex and
technical field of tax law. Tax attorneys are best for
handling complex, technical, and legal issues.
You definitely need a tax attorney if:
You have a taxable estate, need to make
complex estate planning strategies, or need to file an estate
tax return.
You are starting a business and need
legal counsel about the structure and tax treatment of your
company.
You are engaging in international
business and need help with contracts, tax treatment, and
other legal matters.
You plan to bring a suit against the IRS.
You plan to seek independent review of
your case before the US Tax Court.
You are under criminal investigation by
the IRS.
You have committed tax fraud (such as
claiming false deductions and credits) and need the protection
of privilege.
What you should look for
Tax attorneys must have a Juris Doctor
(J.D.) degree and must be admitted to the state
bar. Those are the minimum requirements for practicing
law. Additionally, tax attorneys should have advanced training
in tax law. Most will have a master of laws (LL.M.) degree in
taxation.
Some tax attorneys also have a background
in accounting. If you are facing a complex accounting as well
as legal matter, you might want to looking for an attorney who
is also aCertified
Public Accountant.
Questions to ask
Is the attorney admitted to the state
bar?
What does the tax attorney specialize in?
How much does the attorney charge?
Can the attorney help you with your tax
case?
If not, can the attorney refer you to
another tax attorney who can help you?
Free and Low Cost Legal Assistance
Tax clinics throughout the United States
provide free or low-cost legal assistance to qualifying
taxpayers. Tax clinics are funded by the National Taxpayer
Advocate. You can find a complete list of tax clinics in IRS
Publication 4134 (PDF file, 4 pages).
How to Find a Tax Professional
Questions to ask a Tax Accountant
Certified Public Accountants
Enrolled Agents
Finding a Tax Attorney
American Bar Association
Association of Attorney/CPAs
Free or Low Cost Help at Tax Clinics (PDF)
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