Facing IRS Problems? Get a Free Consultation with a Licensed Attorney!

Even if you’re considering or already working with other financial advisors such as accountants, financial planners, or enrolled agents, you may still need a tax lawyer for some unique reasons. For example, accountants do a good job in handling day-to-day tax filing and keeping financial records. But, they may not have the legal knowledge to deal with more serious tax issues, like audits or disputes, with the IRS or state tax agencies.

Financial planners help with long-term financial goals, such as retirement savings and investments. While they may give you some tax advice, they usually don’t focus on the legal side of taxes. You’ll need a tax lawyer to guide you through legal tax matters, especially when it comes to major financial decisions like estate planning or business taxes.

On the other hand, enrolled agents are tax professionals authorized to represent you before the IRS, but their knowledge is mostly about tax compliance and filing. A tax lawyer has a deeper understanding of tax law and court procedures and can represent you in more complex legal issues, such as criminal tax cases or large financial disputes.

Tax lawyers offer free consultations to provide you with various benefits. First, as the name implies, the consultation is “free,” which means you don’t have to pay a dime to speak with the tax lawyer. In the United States, the average hourly attorney fees range from $100 to $400, depending on the lawyer and type of case. But with a free consultation, you can speak with a tax lawyer about your tax situation without having to spend anything.

Another significant benefit of free tax lawyer consultation is that the consultation is risk-free. You’re not obligated to hire the lawyer after the meeting, and this freedom allows you to get valuable information about your case before deciding if you need to seek professional legal help. Apart from details concerning your case, you also have the opportunity to assess the lawyer and experience their services to confirm if they’re the right hire for you.

Furthermore, a free tax attorney consultation will help you understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to tax laws. You have the opportunity to ask the lawyer to explain complex tax regulations in simple terms to be sure you know where you stand and what you need to do next. During the consultation, the lawyer can also offer advice that specifically answers your personal or business tax concerns.

Through a tax attorney free consultation, you can find out the potential costs and time frame for resolving your tax issue. This transparency helps you make informed decisions about whether to pursue legal representation and what to expect in the process. The tax lawyer can also show you other possible ways to resolve your tax issues, whether it involves settling a dispute with the IRS, negotiating IRS payment plans, or looking for tax-efficient business structures.

In addition, tax issues can be stressful, and speaking to a tax lawyer can provide tax relief reassurance. Even if you don’t proceed immediately with legal representation, having a professional opinion can give you peace of mind about your next steps.

Although different tax lawyers may have different approaches and conditions for their free consultation, there are various things you can generally expect during the meeting. Understanding these expectations will help maximize your free time with the tax lawyer while getting valuable advice.

First, most tax attorney free consultations last for a relatively short time. You should expect to get between 15 minutes to 30 minutes, and in some cases, up to 60 minutes. Of course, how long the consultation lasts depends on the terms of the tax lawyer or tax law firm and the matter at hand.

Secondly, in most cases, the lawyer will ask you to explain your tax situation in detail. Be ready to provide relevant documents or any information that helps the lawyer understand your tax problem and where and how they can assist. After listening to your concerns, they may also ask follow-up questions to get a clearer picture of your situation. Even though the consultation is free, anything you discuss with the lawyer is typically confidential. Therefore, you can speak freely about your tax problems without worrying about the information being shared with others.

Based on the details you provide, the lawyer may give you initial legal advice. That means they may explain your rights and obligations under tax law, outline possible solutions, or suggest actions you should take to resolve your issue. Note that their advice at this level is typically broad and based on the information you provide at the consultation. Sometimes, the lawyer may walk you through the potential solutions available for your case. For example, if you’re facing a tax audit, they may explain how to prepare and what documentation you need.

Most times, the lawyer will give you an estimate of the time and costs involved in resolving your tax issue. This includes legal fees, filing costs, and an approximate timeline for reaching a tax resolution. Although you may just get estimates, it helps you understand the financial and time commitment you will need if you choose to go ahead. If you decide to proceed, the lawyer will outline the next steps, such as gathering more detailed documentation, filing necessary paperwork, or preparing for negotiations with tax authorities. They may also explain how the attorney-client relationship will work and what to expect throughout the legal process.

Note that you are under no obligation to hire the lawyer after the consultation. The meeting is meant to give you information and clarity on your tax issue, allowing you to decide whether you need further legal assistance. You can use this time to evaluate if the lawyer is the right fit for your needs.

Since free tax attorney consultation periods are usually short, you should learn the best way to prepare so you can maximize the time. Some helpful steps you can take include the following:

1. Be ready to explain your tax situation clearly. Provide key information such as what your tax issue is, when it began, the actions you’ve taken so far, and the outcome you want to achieve. Having these details ready will help the lawyer understand and access your case more quickly.
2. Come with documents related to your tax issue, such as tax returns from previous years, IRS notices, financial statements, etc. The tax lawyer might also need your income tax documents, such as the Form W-2 (wage and salary income), Form 1099-OID (original issue discount on bonds), etc., and your expense-related government documents, such as the Form 1097-BTC (bond tax credit), Form 1098 (mortgage interest), Form 1098-C (charitable contribution of vehicles), etc. These documents will give a clearer picture of where you are with the situation.
3. Define your goals. Think about what you want to achieve from the consultation and the overall resolution of your tax issue. With clearly defined goals, you can channel the discussion to yield more productive results.
4. Make a list of any questions you have about your tax issue or the legal process so that you don’t forget to ask something important during the consultation. Important aspects to ask about include the legal options available to you, how long it will take to resolve the issue, the possible outcomes (both best and worst case scenarios), the fees and costs involved, and the next steps going forward.
5. Be honest with the tax lawyer. Share all relevant details, even the ones that might seem negative or embarrassing, like missed tax filings or unpaid taxes. The more accurate information you provide, the better advice the lawyer can offer. Remember, even during a free consultation, anything you share with the lawyer is typically confidential. You can speak openly about your tax concerns without worrying about the information being disclosed to others, including tax authorities.
6. Bring a pen and paper or take notes. During the consultation, the lawyer will likely provide valuable information and advice. Taking notes will help you remember key points discussed and the next steps, especially if you’re meeting multiple lawyers before deciding on which one to go with.
7. Be ready to discuss costs. Although the consultation is free, it’s recommended to ask about potential costs if you decide to hire the lawyer. Ask for an estimate of legal fees, how billing works, and any additional costs for filing or court fees.