Many small business owners do not have the time or know-how to understand complex tax laws but need legal help. If you’re looking for a tax attorney, you might be overwhelmed with numerous choices and options, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find the right one for your situation.
The IRS and other taxing agencies are looking for tax attorneys. So how do you find the right tax attorney to help you with your business?
We’ve written about this topic before, but the importance of finding the right tax attorney for your business continues to grow.
Finding the right tax attorney isn’t just finding someone with experience in your industry. It’s a matter of finding someone who has experience working with small businesses.
You want to find a tax attorney specializing in helping clients with various business needs, not just taxes. And once you’ve found the right tax attorney, it’s important to work with them continuously.
What is a tax attorney?
A tax attorney is a lawyer who specializes in taxes. Individuals or businesses can use them. Tax attorneys are often required to take an exam to become certified by the American Bar Association. Most companies can use a general accountant to help with the accounting, but tax lawyers must be familiar with the tax code. When you work with a tax attorney, they can help you file the correct forms, file taxes on time, and prepare for audits.
Researching tax attorneys
Researching tax attorneys is a daunting task. Hundreds of thousands of tax lawyers are in the country, and you can’t possibly know them all.
So how do you decide which ones are the best?
Here’s how I go about it:
1. Make a list of your tax liabilities and obligations
This is crucial. If you don’t know what you owe, you’ll end up paying the wrong tax lawyer.
2. Contact your local bar association
Each state has a local bar association, and they are usually happy to give you a list of practicing attorneys.
3. Look at reviews
You can look at reviews for each attorney, but this approach has a few problems.
For example, one review may say the lawyer is excellent, and another says the lawyer is awful. Which assessment is accurate?
There’s no easy answer to this, so you must consider your options.
4. Talk to other clients
Talking to other clients lets you understand what they think about the tax lawyer.
5. Ask around
Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.
6. Make an appointment
Finally, schedule a meeting with the tax lawyer to discuss your case.
Working with a local tax attorney
As a small business owner, you can save money and time by working with a local tax attorney. This is especially true if you’re starting. Working with a local tax attorney can also provide several benefits, such as helping you understand local and federal tax laws, being able to file a tax return in your own country (if you’re from another country) and having access to experienced professionals who can assist you with the paperwork. Tax law can be confusing and overwhelming, so don’t try to tackle it alone. Hire a professional to take care of the legal matters, and you can focus on your business.
What to expect from a tax attorney
The IRS and other taxing agencies are looking for tax attorneys. So how do you find the right tax attorney to help you with your business?
You’re probably wondering what your tax lawyer should be able to do for you.
If you’re starting a new business, you should look for someone familiar with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and be sure to ask if they have experience in helping business owners. You should also ask if they are an American Bar Association (ABA) member. The ABA offers free membership to all attorneys, and it is the largest organization of attorneys in the world.
While you may prefer to hire an attorney with a good reputation, many tax attorneys are not members of the ABA. Ask for the organization’s contact information to see if they’re a member. It would help if you also looked for an attorney with a solid track record. Ask for testimonials, and ask how long they’ve been in practice.
What should you be looking for in a tax attorney?
You must choose a tax attorney who knows your industry inside and out. A good tax attorney will have a thorough understanding of your industry and will be able to tailor their services to your specific needs.
This includes understanding the differences between tax laws, regulations, and codes.
It’s also important that the tax attorney you choose is reputable. Ask around, talk to other tax attorneys, and see what you think about the tax attorney. You may even be able to ask your accountant, lawyer, or bookkeeper if they’ve worked with this particular tax attorney before.
You can even reach out to local businesses and ask them how they feel about this tax attorney.
The bottom line is that you want to find a tax attorney who’s proven that they can provide exceptional service and meet your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions Tax Attorney
Q: Where should I start looking for a good tax attorney?
A: I would start by finding someone you are comfortable with, but keep in mind that there are a lot of tax attorneys out there, and you need to find the right fit for your situation.
Q: How do I know if I need a tax attorney?
A: If you want to know how to find the right tax attorney for you, there are some factors that you can look at. If your tax situation is complicated, you need someone qualified and experienced in tax law. Someone with a good reputation in your community can be a good option.
Top 3 Myths About Tax Attorney
1. Only large businesses need to hire a tax attorney.
2. An accountant should be able to handle all my business taxes.
3. I will save money by going to a tax attorney.
Conclusion
It can make or break your tax compliance, and it’s a very important part of any business, so it makes sense to hire a qualified and reputable lawyer. Finding the right tax attorney is challenging. You need to find someone who knows the ins and outs of the tax law, can communicate clearly and has the right experience. I’ve used a couple of different tax attorneys in the past, and I can tell you that they’re not cheap, but they are well worth the investment.
