The core of our practice is providing strategic and practical legal representation to solve tax controversies. We begin with a thorough examination of the issues and prepare an honest evaluation of potential solutions. A cornerstone of our client-first approach is to “be real” with our clients, giving an up-front assessment of the probability of success and what it will take to get there. Too often taxpayers are led by tax advisors to make arguments that simply do not work, or are steered away from settlement opportunities that may have been the best option. Sadly, the beneficiaries of such advice are the tax advisors, whose fees continue to accrue while their client is led down the wrong path.
Following our initial assessment is experienced representation. When handled alone, a tax audit or appeal is an unnerving experience. You may fear that anything you say may be used against you, and you are correct. You may be unsure of your rights and suspect that the government is making unreasonable requests or taking improper actions. You may not understand what the auditor is asking for, and in the process of trying to give him what he wants you may spend an inordinate amount of unnecessary time and labor. Worse, you may provide unrequested information that highlights a new issue. You may be confused about deadlines and appeal procedures, and fear that you may lose your right to protest or appeal a tax assessment.
We know what to do. Whether at the federal, state, or local level, we have the qualifications to represent you during audit, the administrative hearing/appeals process, collection proceedings, and formal court appeals. We serve as your advocate and communicate with the tax authority on your behalf. We know your rights and when they are being violated. More importantly, we know how the system works and how to productively engage in negotiations with the tax authority. We understand when and where opportunities for settlement lie. Finally, we know how to comply with the complex procedures and deadlines that can endanger a taxpayer’s otherwise valid claim if not followed closely.
If you have a tax issue, please contact us sooner rather than later. The earlier we get involved, the earlier you will have strategic and sound representation to resolve your problem.
Please find below a list of the many tax controversy issues we regularly handle for our clients:
Federal Taxation
- IRS Income Tax Audits/Appeals
- Federal Payroll Tax, Employee vs. Independent Contractor Determinations
- Responsible Officer / Trust Fund Recovery Penalties
- Penalty Abatement
- Liens and Levies
- Collection Due Process Hearings
- Collection Appeals Process Hearings
- Installment Agreements
- Offers in Compromise
- Tax and Bankruptcy
Multistate representation
- Audits / Appeals
- Refund Claims
- Income and Franchise tax
- Sales Tax
- Excise Tax
- State Payroll Taxes (e.g. Texas Workforce Commission)
- Hotel Occupancy Tax
- Nexus Determinations for sales tax or income tax
- Multistate Private Letter Rulings
- Multistate Voluntary Disclosure Agreements
- Insolvency Requests and Payout Agreements
Local Tax
- Business Personal Property Tax Valuations