A tax attorney is a lawyer that specializes in United States tax laws as they relate to individual taxpayers, small business owners and self-employed individuals. They are in practice to aid those people who are having issues with the Internal Revenue Service or with the tax-collecting department of their particular state.

If you owe back taxes and are struggling to keep up with the interest and penalties that are accumulating, or if you are worried about liens on your property and in general feeling as if you are in over your head, a consultation with a tax attorney is a good idea.

Tax attorneys can represent you in the event you get into trouble with the IRS. They can work with the IRS in reducing or eliminating the fines you are charged and removing any liens the IRS may have placed on you. The information you share with your tax attorney about your tax situation is protected by attorney-client privilege, which means he or she cannot be compelled to testify against you should your situation land you in court.

Tax attorneys, for the most part, primarily focus on handling tax cases. They are up-to-date on the most current tax policies, which makes them useful for any client who does not understand the law and how it applies in their situation. Some tax attorneys are also certified public accountants and are useful in the event you are having accounting issues with your taxes. A tax attorney is able to analyze your financial records and statements, determine the reason the IRS levied a penalty, and see if there any were errors made on their part. Errors are very common, and if your tax attorney discovers the IRS has made one in your case, your tax penalties can be eliminated. A tax attorney can also remove a tax lien from your home by helping you reach a settlement with the IRS or working out a reasonable payment plan. Through the services of a tax attorney, you may even be able to get loans to finish making your payments.

If you are in trouble with the IRS, the earlier you hire a tax attorney to help you, the better off you will be. As time passes, the penalties on your taxes snowball and your financial situation becomes more and more dire. It is best to resolve your IRS issues quickly for your own peace of mind.