Tax lawyers handle disputes with the IRS and state agencies — audits, appeals, Tax Court, collections — and advise on transactions where the tax consequences are large. Unlike a CPA, communications with a lawyer are privileged, which matters when unfiled returns, unreported income or a criminal referral are possible. Collection alternatives include installment agreements, offers in compromise, penalty abatement and innocent-spouse relief.
What a tax lawyer does
- Represents you in audits, appeals and U.S. Tax Court
- Negotiates installment agreements, offers in compromise and lien/levy releases
- Resolves unfiled years and voluntary disclosures with criminal exposure in mind
- Advises on business structure, sales, and estate and gift tax
When you need a tax lawyer
- You received an audit notice, Notice of Deficiency or levy notice
- You owe more than you can pay or have years of unfiled returns
- An IRS special agent contacted you — that means criminal
- You are selling a business or property with significant gain
Questions to ask before you hire a tax lawyer
- Do I need a lawyer rather than a CPA or enrolled agent for this?
- Do I realistically qualify for an offer in compromise?
- What deadlines are running on this notice?
- Is there criminal exposure, and how do we approach the IRS safely?
Find a tax lawyer near you
Choose your state to see listed firms and the official bar directory for verifying any lawyer’s license.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming