Getting a letter in the mail from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can signal any number of issues. In some cases, the correspondence provides notice of an audit. When this is the case, it is wise to take the correspondence seriously.
Of course, audits are not the only reason the IRS may question an individual or business. A recent piece in Forbes delved into IRS dealings with groups seeking nonprofit status. The piece notes that those groups who had legal representation were less likely to face inappropriate questions compared to the groups that represented themselves.
Those who find themselves as the recipient of an audit notice or as the subject of another line of questioning from the IRS may wonder whether they need to seek legal counsel. Three reasons to consider hiring a tax attorney include:
- Complex nature of tax law. Tax law is not an easy specialty within the legal world. Tax law is extremely complex. The Tax Foundation notes that the Tax Code is over 10 million words in length. These pages are filled with legalese and tax terms that can be difficult to translate into layman’s terms.
- Changing nature of tax law. Not only is tax law difficult as is, it is often changing. This evolving nature makes it even more difficult to make sure that current tax law is applied in dealings with the IRS.
- Do it right the first time. The aforementioned Forbes publication continues to explain that a failure to handle tax matters correctly the first time around can end up costing the taxpayer more in the long run. “Sometimes,” the piece notes, “you dig a hole that is bigger, wider and deeper than if you had handed it to a professional from the start.”
If you find yourself in a situation that requires dealing with the IRS, it is wise to contact an attorney before you find yourself in a bigger hole. An attorney can advise you as to whether legal counsel is needed to help resolve your issue. With offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois, the experienced tax attorneys at Robert J. Fedor, Esq., L.L.C. represent businesses and individuals who are in trouble with the IRS in any of the fifty states or abroad. The firm's focus is on individualized strategies leading to permanent solutions for complicated problems.
