Running into trouble with the IRS can be stressful. If you have filed your taxes properly and well in time, you may feel even more confused and troubled. Tax laws are complicated and it is sometimes difficult to understand the reason for the issue. At the same time, you would want to resolve it at the earliest because it can give you sleepless nights.
A professional consultation with a tax attorney is the best approach to get out of the rough patch. But what about finding the right professional to handle your case? What factors should you consider while hiring someone? Will they ensure that things are handled in your best interests? Here are some tips that you can follow for finding the best tax attorney to look after your case and get things sorted out.
- Ask for recommendations
Even before you start looking, ask around for recommendations. Tax issues are common and almost everyone you know may have come across them once or more. So it is most likely that they know a good tax attorney and can recommend them to you. Also, check online to find some reputed ones in your area. Browse websites to know about the firm, team members, track record and cost. You can have a fair idea about their competence from their websites. You may even find genuine reviews from real clients stating facts about the service quality and reliability.
- Meet them personally
Of course, you may check the websites of law firms to know all about their skills, experience and track record. But a meeting in person is mandatory before you decide. Shortlist a few firms or lawyers that you think you can consider for your case. Schedule personal meetings with them because you would want to see their office and interact personally. Do tell them everything about your case upfront and see what they have to say. Your first interaction itself will give you an idea about their expertise. Also, ensure that you have a comfort level with them.
- Look for a professional/firm that offers transparency
Whether you hire a professional or a firm, prioritize transparency. They should be open to communication all the time because you would want to be aligned with your case throughout. Do ensure that they are available whenever you need their services or advice. Clarify facts about the costing and billing as well because you would not want to end up with someone you cannot afford. Ask clearly about the extra costs such as admin support costs and retainer costs because they will affect the overall expense of hiring them.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions
Since you will trust them with your tax case, don’t hesitate to ask questions before hiring an attorney. Ask about their qualifications and credentials. Talk about the cases they have handled in the past for helping clients minimize their tax issues and more. Ensure that they have worked on cases similar to yours. If you are considering a large law firm, do ask for meeting the lawyer who will be looking after the case. As a prospective client, you are entitled to know who would be handling your case and whether he/she is good enough.
- Ensure that they are right for you
Just finding someone who looks good does not mean that they are right for you. Before you sign on, explain the nitty-gritty of your case to them and see what they have to say. Even if you have to pay for the initial consultation, do it because you should not settle for anyone but the best. The attitude and confidence they show will enable you to judge their competence. Once you feel that they are good enough, go ahead and hire them.
- Don’t compromise to save some dollars
Consider the skills, experience and service quality of a tax lawyer or firm and weigh them against the cost of hiring them. Don’t compromise on these factors just to save some dollars because you may end up in deeper problems by hiring someone who is not good enough. Tax laws are complex and you may even do something wrong without knowing. Handling such issues requires a great deal of skill that only a seasoned attorney can offer. So even if you have to pay a little more, find someone you can trust to do the best.
A good tax lawyer can be your savior. Moreover, finding one keeps you future-proof because you may face diverse issues from time to time. So, you may need their services in the future as well. Make sure that you do extensive homework before you collaborate with someone you can rely on.
