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If you have a complex tax profile, it is not uncommon to make a mistake or misunderstand what you need to submit to the IRS. In many of these cases, it is possible to resolve the issue administratively and without serious consequences from the IRS.
Call an Alexandria tax attorney if you received notice from the federal government or believe you may have a tax issue that could lead to problems. An experienced tax law firm could review your situation and execute a strategy to resolve the controversy as favorably as your circumstances allow.
The IRS selects a given number of taxpayers for audit every year, and an audit notice does not necessarily mean the IRS suspects fraud or intentional tax evasion. However, thorough preparation for an audit can expedite the process and ensure it goes smoothly.
A legal professional could review the audit notice and the taxpayer’s documentation before sending it to the IRS. When the agency schedules a field audit, an Alexandria tax lawyer could represent the taxpayer and handle all communication with the IRS.
If you believe audit results are incorrect, a lawyer could review and advise on submitting the case to the IRS Office of Appeals with the goal of potentially reversing the auditor’s decision. If an audit appeal is unsuccessful, it may be possible to take the case to Tax Court.
For one reason or another, taxpayers sometimes fail to file tax returns or pay the full balance of what they owe. In many cases, failing to file is the result of not knowing the process or an inability to pay, rather than an intentional attempt to evade their tax obligations.
An Alexandria tax law attorney could help a taxpayer get back into compliance through official, IRS-sanctioned methods. The attorney could discuss the possibility of filing delinquent returns, arrange for collection alternatives, such as installment payments, and assess the possibility of penalty abatements.
Sometimes taxpayers with offshore holdings do not report them as required. Several voluntary programs allow taxpayers who failed to report offshore financial holdings, or pay taxes on income derived from foreign investments and accounts, to bring themselves into compliance. Each program has specific benefits and requirements, so it is wise to consult a legal professional before deciding to voluntarily disclose offshore accounts. It is also wise to contact an attorney about properly filing an FBAR or complying with FATCA before their due date.
When the IRS suspects someone willfully evaded taxes or intentionally underpaid, they have the authority to undertake a criminal investigation and possibly refer the case to the Department of Justice for prosecution. Although this is the worst-case scenario, it is usually possible to settle the matter administratively with only civil penalties.
A tax law firm in Alexandria could review your financial documents and tax filings to identify red flags and badges of fraud that the government might be scrutinizing. They could compile and present evidence indicating that any underpayment or failures to file were inadvertent, and not intentional attempts to defraud.
Furthermore, a lawyer could negotiate the release of a tax lien or resolve a tax levy that was placed on a taxpayer’s assets, or help a business come up with an alternative payment plan for a trust fund recovery penalty.
If tax problems weigh heavily on you, Pontius Tax Law is available to work on a response. We can resolve most tax issues administratively and will strive to do so with as little hardship to you as possible. The greater the value of your assets in question, the more service we can provide.
Get an Alexandria tax attorney by your side if you have been contacted by the IRS or believe you could be. Contact us about your concerns and set up a consultation.
Pontius Tax Law, PLLC is a tax law firm that strives to resolve sensitive tax problems through trust, dedication and value. The law firm was founded by John Pontius with offices in Washington, DC, Rockville, MD, Bethesda, MD, Fairfax, VA, and Alexandria, VA. Mr. Pontius represents individual and business clients with sensitive and serious tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. His client base is local, national, and international.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Pontius has represented businesses and individuals with complex tax issues in the following areas: FBAR examinations, offshore and domestic disclosures, FATCA, FIRPTA, tax planning, unfiled tax returns, release of tax liens and levies, trust fund recovery penalty, IRS and state audit examinations, as well as appeals, penalty abatement, U.S. Tax Court litigation, along with defense of tax fraud and evasion. If you require assistance from a tax lawyer, contact Mr. Pontius to discuss your situation.