Millions of Americans find themselves struggling to pay back taxes because of an unforeseen life event. If this is something that applies to you, you deserve a second chance and an easier way to pay back taxes.
This all starts when you begin to seek a tax debt attorney. Lawyers feel so intimidating, you might feel lost when it comes to choosing the right one.
There are a few questions that you should ask an attorney before signing their contract, but we want to help you out. Listed below are a handful of questions that will ensure you find a lawyer who will do their best to resolve your tax debt.
Read on!
1. What Experience Do You Have With IRS Tax Debt?
When looking for a tax debt attorney to help you, you should ask questions related to experience and qualifications. Ask the attorney what experience they have with IRS tax debt and what credentials they hold.
If the lawyer specializes in tax debt specifically, it is a good sign that they are knowledgeable. Find out if the potential attorney has successfully handled cases in the past, and the outcome of those cases.
This will help provide you with an accurate picture of the attorney and how they can help you.
2. Can You Review Any Penalties or Interests I Might Be Facing?
When considering issues related to an accrue tax debt, penalties and interest can be a major worry. Asking the right questions and getting the right answers can make all the difference.
So, it is important to start by asking about any penalties or interest can you be facing. This will help to determine the potential financial outcome of your current tax situation.
The attorney should be able to give you an estimate of the fines, penalties, and interest you may have to face.
Additionally, the attorney should be able to provide a breakdown of what they will be looking out for and the steps they are taking to bring a resolution to your case.
Make sure to ask questions and get an understanding of what the process is when looking to settle any outstanding debt.
It is also important to understand what rights and obligations exist when dealing with tax debt. Understanding the full extent of the remedies available can help to keep your finances safe in the long run.
3. Are There Any Ways to Appeal the IRS Determination?
If you’ve received a determination from the IRS that doesn’t suit you, it’s important to find out about ways to appeal it. Talk to your tax debt attorney to determine what steps you can take to appeal the decision.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, there might be several opportunities to challenge the IRS.
The attorney will review your situation and advise you on the best way to challenge the determination. Be sure to ask your attorney about deadlines and procedures necessary for a successful appeal.
If there are possible defenses that you can use, make sure that your attorney mentions them in the appeals process.
Your attorney will be able to tell you what forms or other documents you need to submit to appeal the IRS determination. Ask them about which documentation is necessary so that your appeal can be successful and the decision reversed.
Additionally, if the IRS gives you an unfavorable outcome when you file an appeal, your attorney can help you begin the process of dealing with your debt and resuming the payment of any outstanding taxes.
4. What Are the Terms of Your Representation?
When it comes to finding a tax debt attorney, it is important to ask about the terms of their representation. This includes finding out what type of representation they will provide.
Will they represent you in all matters related to your tax debt, such as in court proceedings or alternative dispute resolution forums? Will they provide advice on how to address tax debt or will they provide legal representation?
Be sure to ask about the scope of services they provide, the cost of representation, and the timeline in which services will be provided.
5. What Potential Outcomes Can I Expect?
Your attorney will be able to review the specifics of your case and provide insight into the possible outcomes, such as a repayment plan, an offer in compromise, or a discharge or cancellation of tax debts.
Consider asking your tax debt attorney about the possible outcomes with the least amount of financial and personal stress to you, as well as the pros and cons of each outcome before making a final decision.
Doing this can help you make more informed decisions about your tax debt issues.
6. Are There Any Payment Plans?
When dealing with tax debt or hiring a lawyer, asking them if there are any payment plan options is essential. Payment plans are an agreement to make consistent payments towards the debt over a specified amount of time and they can provide an avenue to help individuals and businesses become debt free.
Knowing the details of these plans is important so you can determine which plan best suits your needs and budget.
7. How Long It Is Likely to Take to Resolve Your Debt?
When it comes to a tax debt attorney or hiring an attorney, one of the most important questions to ask is how long it is likely to take to resolve your debt.
It is essential to understand the timeline of your specific tax resolution process because this will help you plan your finances accordingly.
A tax attorney should be able to provide you with an idea of how long negotiations with the IRS are likely to take, as well as what you can do to ensure that your tax resolution is timely and successful.
This timeframe can vary depending on factors such as the severity of your taxes and the complexity of the case. Additionally, ask your attorney if they have any strategies or tips to shorten the processing time.
Having a clear understanding of the approximate timeline of your tax resolution process will help make the entire process smoother.
Hire the Best Tax Debt Attorney Today
Tax debt can be overwhelming, but working with a reliable tax debt attorney can make all the difference. Don’t wait any longer to hire a tax debt attorney; tackle your tax debt head-on and get your finances back on track.
Contact a trusted one today and receive personalized, expert advice on how to overcome your tax debt.
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