For many people, establishing a relationship with the right tax attorney is not as easy as it seems. We tend to use different tactics and techniques to select what we perceive to be the right one only to later feel like we should have done more homework.

Some of us tend to rely on word of mouth from a friend or family which for the most part is based on superficial strengths. They are a nice person, knowledgeable and really performed well for me and my family.

It is difficult to compare these factors from one tax attorney to the next and many of us are unaware of which questions to ask in order to determine whether there truly is a match between the customer's needs and the tax attorneys qualifications and specialty.

Below you will find eight questions that will provide a baseline to find the right attorney for you.

These questions are designed to provide you with the answers you need to analyze all of the different strengths and weaknesses of a prospective Tax Attorney and shield you from getting ripped off and guiding you to hire the right tax attorney.

So here goes,

Question1. Are you a member of the state bar association. This may seem trivial and you would be surprised how many people hire an attorney that is not authorized to represent you in your state.

Question 2. Are you a CPA or what is called an enrolled agent. An enrolled agent is an individual that has experience working with the IRS and would therefore have a deeper understanding of the process involved in working with the IRS.

Question 3. To what extent do you have experience in dealing with the IRS? Ideally you want your Attorney to have atleast 5 years of experience in the areas of Appeal and Collections. This usually insures that you have someone capable of negotiating deals in your favor with the IRS.

Question 4. What area of the law do you currently specialize in and for how long have you been working that area? Tax law is very broad and to the extent that you can pin point your search to the specific niche that your problem revolves around, that will serve you very well.

Question 5. Do you feel that you can help me with my specific tax problem? They are always going to say yes and you need to read between the lines. They are always going to feel that they know enough about your are to justify having you as a client. You need to ask probing questions that are answered with a direct, relevant example in your specific problem area.

Question 6. What has your success rate been when you have handled cases like mine? If he or she has successfully handled cases like your in the past, there will be an excellent chance that they will be prepared for all of the potential results of your legal process and they will work out the best deal possible.

Question 7. Can you provide raving fans, AKA references? This may not be easy due to the sensitive and private nature of the subject matter. However, it is critical to get a sense of how successful and happy your attorney has been in similar situations.

Question 8. What are all of the things that are included in your legal fees? Here is where you determine how much value you are truly receiving from you lawyer and how much you will invest in them.

Ask these questions to a minimum of 3 Tax Attorneys and you will get a feel for which one you bond with and will provide you the best service.