Are you searching for an experienced California and IRS tax attorney? When legal professionals refer to California or IRS audits or tax issues, they are usually speaking of the types of interactions that a person or business might have with the IRS or a California tax agent, other than standard tax filing. These can include delinquent filing, audits, revenue officer interviews, payroll tax audits, trust fund issues and penalties, as well as collection actions such as liens, levies, garnishments, and asset seizure. There are several steps to the successful resolution of a California or IRS tax controversy, and in cases where the outcome is unsatisfactory, additional options, such as mediation, appeals, and ultimately litigation, may be required.
It is not in your best interests to communicate with the IRS or any California tax agency directly. An experienced California and IRS tax attorney is able to make contact with the appropriate agency on your behalf and handle all communications. If you have been contacted by the IRS or a California tax or revenue official for an interview or audit, it is crucial to seek an experienced tax attorney with the depth of expertise required to understand the financial underpinnings of the issue in question, as well as the accounting and legal expertise to help you navigate through it.
This is especially true when you are working to reduce, limit, or mitigate the impact of an audit or payroll/trust fund issue associated with your business.
Any tax lien can affect your property rights and your credit rating, among other things. Most people with a tax lien on their property want to resolve it as soon as possible. The IRS offers several options for removing one, including:
- Paying the tax debt, if you do not contest it and can afford it. This releases the lien within 30 days.
- Discharge of property. This can allow you to sell a specific piece of property, with some or all of the proceeds from the sale going toward the tax bill.
- Withdrawal. This removes the public Notice of Federal Tax Lien and makes sure the IRS is not competing with other creditors. Some additional withdrawal options may be available under the IRS’s Fresh Start initiative.
Keep in mind that a lien is not the same thing as the IRS or a California tax agency seizing property. That is known as a levy. Financial accounts, bank accounts, and property seized in a levy are used to pay the alleged debt.
The prospect of facing an audit, investigation, tax lien, levy, or garnishment can be frightening for any individual or business. With the help of an experienced California and IRS tax it is absolutely possible for you to limit the emotional, and financial impact of any tax challenge or controversy on your life, business, and money.
