Not every one will need the use of a tax attorney but their usefulness cannot be underestimated when you do need to hire one. First understand that there is a big difference between a tax attorney and a person who prepares taxes, such as a CPA or bookkeeper. If you hire an attorney, anything you say to them is completely confidential. Unlike a CPA or bookkeeper that can be called to testify against you in court should you ever be audited and brought to trial. There are several reasons you may need to hire a tax attorney.

The first and most common reason to hire a tax attorney is that you are in trouble with the IRS. Being audited and dealing the IRS is many people's worst nightmare. If you get in this situation, it means that your figures didn't add up and the person who has prepared your original tax filings has at the least made an error or at worst was completely incompetent. By hiring an attorney, he/she will be able to give you the best legal ways of working with the IRS so you can come to a mutually agreed upon conclusion.

Another reason to hire a tax attorney is they understand that the tax laws are not just black and white. There are many shades of gray between the two. He/she can give you many different legal ways to solve the problem and get the IRS of your back.

He/she will also act as a go between you and the IRS. Everyone knows the intimidation tactics the IRS will use to try and get you to cooperate. A good lawyer understands these tactics and how to "fight" them on good legal reasoning. He/she is on your side and basically; he/she will fight your battles for you.

If you owe a significant amount of money in back taxes hiring a tax attorney is your best option. People who try to take on the IRS alone usually end up paying more than those who are legally represented. With attorney-client privilege, you will be able to honestly talk to your attorney about exactly what went wrong so they can find the absolute best options for you. He/she knows the tax law inside and out and can come up with a solution for both the short term and the long term. You cannot underestimate the bully tactics of the IRS. If you ignore them, they will pursue you even more aggressively.

If you own a business or have a larger estate, you should also consider consulting with a tax attorney. He/she will make sure all your assets are set up according to the required tax laws. This can save you thousands of dollars in tax deductions and give you the peace of mind that everything you are doing is above reproach.

The above situations are good reasons to hire a tax attorney. Not every person needs a tax attorney. For instance, if the IRS sends you a letter saying an error was made and you owe such-and-such amount, just pay it.