Found an issue on this page? Let us know and we will look into it as soon as possible.
Tax Attorneys
85,302 verified tax attorneys across the United States. Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation. Compare verified tax attorneys nationwide by experience, peer ratings, and client reviews — get matched with counsel in any state, free for clients.
Tax law sits at the intersection of complex federal regulation, state-by-state variation, and high-stakes enforcement. A tax attorney handles matters where the cost of being wrong is significant — IRS audits, large back-tax liabilities, international reporting, business tax structure, and complex estate planning — with the attorney-client privilege CPAs and enrolled agents cannot offer.
Common tax matters
IRS audit defense and Appeals representation
Offer in Compromise and installment agreements for tax debt
Innocent spouse relief
Tax court and federal court litigation
International tax: FATCA, FBAR, expatriation, foreign trust reporting
Business tax structure (entity choice, S-corp election, partnership planning)
Estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning
State and local tax disputes
Criminal tax defense for willful evasion or fraud
When you need a tax lawyer vs a CPA
A CPA is the right professional for preparing returns and routine planning. A tax attorney is the right professional when matters become adversarial (audit, collections, tax court), when complex transactions need structured planning (M&A, estate, international), or when potential criminal exposure exists — because only attorneys provide privilege over communications.
When to call a tax attorney
You received an IRS audit notice or notice of deficiency
You owe significant back taxes and need a collection alternative
You have unreported foreign accounts or income
You are planning a transaction with significant tax consequences
Routine IRS resolution matters typically cost $2,500 to $7,500. Complex audits, Tax Court litigation, and international compliance projects can cost much more. Many tax attorneys offer a free initial consultation to evaluate the matter.
What is an Offer in Compromise?
An Offer in Compromise (OIC) lets you settle tax debt for less than the full amount owed when full payment would cause economic hardship or when there is doubt about collectability. The IRS rejects most OICs filed without expert preparation; an experienced tax attorney structures and supports an offer that has a real chance of acceptance.
Can I be jailed for owing back taxes?
Almost never for civil non-payment of properly-reported taxes. Criminal prosecution requires willful tax evasion, fraud, or filing false returns. If you have potential exposure, talk to a tax attorney — not a CPA — because criminal exposure makes the attorney-client privilege essential.
Do I have to disclose foreign bank accounts?
Yes. U.S. citizens and residents with foreign accounts totaling more than $10,000 in aggregate must file an FBAR annually. Penalties for non-compliance are extreme — sometimes greater than the account balance. A tax attorney can guide you through Streamlined Compliance or Voluntary Disclosure to come into compliance.
How long can the IRS collect on a tax debt?
The IRS generally has 10 years from assessment to collect a tax debt. Certain events (bankruptcy, OIC submission, installment agreement) toll the period. A tax attorney can analyze the collection statute expiration date (CSED) and structure a resolution that takes advantage of approaching deadlines.
What is innocent spouse relief?
Innocent spouse relief releases one spouse from joint tax liability when the other spouse improperly reported or omitted income without the relief-requesting spouse’s knowledge. It applies to joint-return filers who later discover their spouse’s misconduct — commonly in divorce situations.
