| Bad things happen to everyone. When financial | | | | range from the simplest of late fees to IRS |
| problems grow beyond control, there are typically | | | | seizures, amendments, un-filed tax returns, wage |
| significant tax consequences. The best strategy is | | | | garnishments, payroll tax problems, and especially |
| to hire a tax attorney, certified public accountant | | | | IRS audits. Tax representation to satisfactorily |
| (CPA), or authorized tax advisor called enrolled | | | | resolve liens and levies is also important. Even |
| agents (EA), to represent you in resolving tax | | | | though hiring a tax professional may seem |
| issues you might have with the Internal Revenue | | | | excessive, you might actually save far more |
| Service (IRS) or other tax authorities. Details | | | | through representation by a specialist. Talking to |
| regarding standards and practices are available in | | | | the IRS yourself is not a good idea. Any tax |
| IRS Circular 230. It is especially important to have | | | | authority is dedicated to collecting revenue that |
| a practiced tax professional handle tax disputes. | | | | they believe you owe them; they will assume an |
| Instead of causing more problems for yourself, let | | | | adversarial role in all negotiations. A tax |
| a third party present your side of a disputed | | | | professional alternatively will focus on reaching a |
| issue. Select a tax representative that has | | | | fair agreement that includes the best solution for |
| experience dealing with your specific issues. A tax | | | | you, |
| professional provides assistance by "removing" | | | | If you are in a complicated legal situation, consider |
| you from the stress of the immediate situation | | | | retaining an attorney. A tax attorney who is also |
| and presenting your "case" for you directly to the | | | | a practicing Certified Public Accountant is, of |
| IRS. Choose a tax professionals that has | | | | course, an ideal combination but obviously more |
| practiced dealing directly with the IRS. They know | | | | expensive. A CPA or EA is equally qualified to |
| all the legal and tax technicalities that could save | | | | handle disputes including those that must be |
| you money. Regardless of how you feel or how | | | | resolved in tax court. Since lawyers are typically |
| serious the matter is, both you and the IRS want | | | | more expensive, a first step is to compare costs |
| to resolve the dispute by finding a mutually | | | | of attorney, CPA, and EA for their counsel. |
| agreeable solution. If you have received an inquiry | | | | Attorneys charge hundreds dollars per hour and |
| regarding how you filed a return, an audit notice, | | | | may not be immediately available to handle your |
| or owe taxes to any tax authority, you need tax | | | | case. A CPA or EA will typically charge less even |
| representation as soon as possible. Under many | | | | if they represent you in court. If you need legal |
| circumstances, it is better to NOT contact the | | | | counsel, contact the American Bar Association or |
| tax authority on your own. | | | | consult the Martindale-Hubble Law Directory. If |
| A tax professional is a representative who will | | | | you need referrals for CPAs or EAs, use a search |
| focuses on successfully bringing about a fair | | | | engine to find the state-specific professional |
| solution to your tax issue. You don't have to be a | | | | societies for CPAs or EAs. Alternatively, contact |
| large corporation to need tax representation. In | | | | the American Institute of Certified Public |
| fact, now more the ever, individual taxpayers are | | | | Accountants or National Association of Enrolled |
| best advised to hire tax professionals provide a | | | | Agents. |
| resolution to their tax problems. Disputes can | | | | |