The United States Internal Revenue Code (IRC) has grown to gargantuan proportions since its inception. It’s convoluted, and compliance is a challenge fraught with worrying about doing something wrong. It’s a legitimate concern.

Besides the IRC, there are tax laws on income, estates, capital gains, vice and sin, businesses, employment or payroll, property, import, and gifts.

In the IRS’s press release for their 2018 fiscal year report^[1], they said that their conviction rate was 91.7% — a very high number, and one of the highest of all federal law enforcement agencies. However, they also revealed that the criminal investigation unit’s agent number was the lowest since the early 1970s. The IRS is traditionally underfunded and overworked, and the trend looks like it will continue. The IRS wants to be busy with the very biggest tax cases, so they’re more than ready to negotiate with your tax lawyer.

The right tax attorney can provide expert guidance and negotiation skills. Here is how to find the right one for your situation.

The Details about Tax Attorneys

Of course, there are situations where hiring an accountant^[2] or tax preparer can be appropriate, but there are also benefits that only tax attorneys can provide. Unlike accountants or tax preparers, tax attorneys are skilled negotiators equipped with legal expertise in the field of finance and taxes. They also have the benefit of attorney-client privilege.

Attorney-client privilege is of paramount importance in legal dealings. Your lawyer may not release any information about your case without your permission. An accountant or tax preparer cannot offer you that benefit.

Also, unlike an accountant or tax preparer, a tax attorney is there to handle complex legal issues specifically associated with your tax situation. You can hire one after a problem occurs, or you can hire one to help you avoid problems in the first place.

Other benefits of hiring a tax attorney include: