Hiring a tax attorney is a must if you have any questions about your taxes. They can answer these questions and help you with the process.
But, the answer to the question of cost for a tax attorney , of course, will depend on the complexity of the case.
How the Cost of a Tax Attorney is Calculated
The billing option for hiring an attorney can be handled two ways:
- Hourly rate – In some scenarios, an hourly rate makes sense when the nature of the legal issue is uncertain. Clients can potentially save money by paying hourly.
- Flat fee – This billing method is more applicable when the scope of the legal issue is more clearly defined. It also helps the client by knowing upfront the total cost of the services.
Most tax attorneys will charge clients at an hourly rate, as each case can be very different. In all cases, the fees should be discussed at the very beginning of representation.
Every client deserves to have an idea of what the case may cost. And a good tax attorney will give an estimate based on his experience over the years with similar cases, and possibly based on whether he knows the Internal Revenue Service agent involved.
When to Hire a Tax Attorney
A tax attorney can help you with many different aspects of your taxes, from filing to audits. They can also help you with complicated tax issues like partnerships, trusts, or estates.
At times, just a one-hour consultation, costing anywhere from $200 to $500, might be all that is needed to guide the client and get the answers that are needed for their tax issues.
Additionally, the client deserves to be fully apprised of the work that is being done on his or her case, as well as the potential future costs remaining at any stage of the representation.
Ultimately, the best time to seek out legal advice on a tax matter is as soon as possible. Getting ahead of the IRS in the effort will always benefit you and your case.
You can start with an internet search on “tax attorney near me free consultation” or “affordable tax attorney near me” to get started.
The Real Cost of Hiring a Tax Attorney
If you are unable to afford a tax attorney, you can contact the IRS directly. But, this can be intimidating and overwhelming. There are step-by-step guides available online for you to use if you do plan to handle the tax issue on your own.
Also, there are legal assistance options for low income taxpayers. In 2014 the IRS adopted a Taxpayer Bill of Rights as proposed by the former National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson. It applies to all taxpayers in their dealings with the IRS. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights groups the existing rights in the tax code into ten fundamental rights, and makes them clear, understandable, and accessible.
Alternatively, you may want to seek out a tax attorney that offers a payment plan. This will allow you to spread out your tax fees.
But, the real cost of a tax attorney is the time, financial, and emotional drain that taxpayers spend by trying to navigate the process on their own.
A Phone Call is the First Step
At the law offices of Jeffrey L. Cohen, we specialize in tax law, which gives us the experience to understand the nature of a tax issue and to determine the scope of a case based on the thousands of tax law cases we have handled over the years.
The lowest cost of a tax attorney is realized when you hire a tax attorney with experience to move as quickly and efficiently to help you resolve your tax issue.
How much does a tax opinion cost?
We actually can provide you with a ‘no cost’ phone consultation to help you understand your legal options.
Call us today.
