Tax Law Lawyers

Tax Law Lawyers in the United States

Tax law touches every person and business in the country. Whether you owe back taxes, face an IRS audit, or need help structuring a business transaction, a tax lawyer can protect your financial interests and keep you out of serious trouble.

What Tax Law Covers

Tax law governs how federal, state, and local governments collect revenue from individuals, corporations, and other entities. It covers income taxes, estate taxes, gift taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, and excise taxes. The Internal Revenue Code alone contains over 10,000 sections, making it one of the most complex areas of American law.

Tax attorneys handle disputes with the IRS, represent clients in Tax Court, advise on corporate mergers and acquisitions, and help individuals plan their estates to minimize tax burdens. They also assist with international tax compliance, nonprofit tax-exempt status applications, and criminal tax defense.

When to Hire a Tax Lawyer

• You've received a notice of audit or examination from the IRS or a state tax agency
• You owe more than $10,000 in back taxes and need to negotiate a payment plan or offer in compromise
• You're starting a business and need guidance on entity selection and tax structure
• You're facing allegations of tax fraud or tax evasion, which carry criminal penalties including prison time
• You need to file estate or gift tax returns for high-value transfers

How the Tax Law Process Works

Tax disputes typically begin with a notice from the IRS or state agency. Your attorney reviews the notice, gathers supporting documents, and responds on your behalf. Many disputes are resolved at the administrative level through correspondence or in-person conferences with revenue agents.

If the dispute isn't resolved administratively, your lawyer can petition the U.S. Tax Court before you pay the assessed amount. About 85% of Tax Court cases settle before trial. For criminal tax matters, the process involves a separate investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, and your attorney's role shifts to full criminal defense.

How Tax Outcomes Are Determined

• Offer in Compromise — the IRS evaluates your income, expenses, assets, and future earning potential to determine whether to accept a reduced payment amount
• Penalty abatement — reasonable cause, such as serious illness or natural disaster, can eliminate penalties that sometimes exceed 25% of the tax owed
• Installment agreements break large tax debts into monthly payments based on your ability to pay over periods of up to 72 months
• Innocent spouse relief can remove tax liability from one spouse when the other was responsible for errors or fraud on a joint return
• Interest accrues on unpaid balances at the federal short-term rate plus 3%, compounding daily until the debt is fully resolved

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back can the IRS audit my returns?

The IRS generally has three years from the filing date to audit a return. That window extends to six years if you underreported income by more than 25%. There is no time limit for fraudulent returns or unfiled returns.

What's the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion?

Tax avoidance uses legal strategies to reduce your tax bill — things like deductions, credits, and retirement contributions. Tax evasion involves deliberately hiding income or falsifying records. Evasion is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.