Can someone give me any info they can on what its going to cost me to hire a tax lawyer. I know every case is different, but i dont want to get ripped off, and i aslo want to be prepared finacially before hand as well.... a little about my situation, i owe about 30,000 from the last 5 years of taxes. im going to submit an offer in comprimise as well, and info on what an average tax lawyer would cost would be great. thanks
You don't need a lawyer but someone who is experienced with that type of work. Just make sure they HAVE done many tax work with the tax authority and ask them what their experience and success rates are. In this type of specialty work, some don't charge by the hour, but a deposit, a percentage savings, some hourly rate and some flat rate.
Don't get taken to the cleaners. Lot's of competition. Look in your local phone directory or get referrals from friends and other people.
There are non-attorney's that can represent you in front of the IRS (they hold some certification to allow them to help you). The disadvantage is that a non-lawyer cannot give you legal advice (i.e. suggest and wlak you through bankruptcy).
Either way, get represented quickly, the longer you wait, the less options you have available to you.
You're between a rock and hard place, kinda like an oxymoron. You can't pay for the past and you can't afford for the future. But you need the best advice and representation.
Either get a financial sponsor like friends and family or get any free help you can, which is better than no help. But then some might work against your best interest because the matter in the wrong hands will commit your future financial affairs and can cost you more in lost opportunity than your original tax debt.
Locally ... in general, it is in excess of $200 per hour for a Tax Attorney and $110-150 for a CPA with appropriate experience.
* One highly respected and well known premier Tax Attorney quoted $250 for an initial one-hour telephone consultation.
This guy "wrote the book", but a phone consult might be a waste of time/money because the time might be spent "explaining" the probably complex situation, and not benefit from an hour of legal advice.
* Another less experienced attorney offers one free phone and one free in person consult ... and quotes a $5,000 retainer and $310 per hour. Later said he might "consider" $1-2,000 as retainer with a percentage of savings rather than an hourly fee.
Maybe not the one because nothing is really "free". That free in-person time is really when they expect you to "hire" them. If the attorney in that hour cannot give you a clear example of options, and the mechanics by which they operate, forget it.
You could try your local bar, or family/friends who have good Financial planners/accountants for recommendations.
Depending on your situation, you could just go to the local IRS office and plead your own case.
You should read up about "offers in compromise" which is a current buzz-word ... and be very careful. There's loads of stuff on the IRS site and elsewhere on the net.
It's pretty specific as to when they are accepted, and my understanding is that it is only the penalties that may be reduced/abated but not the actual tax debt if accurate.
Again ... look into your options and proceed with caution.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Not bad there OBAF. Hope your advice is not too late. eddie might be in jail by now. Just kidding. Where you've been when they needed you?
Those rates seemed low compared to the Northeastern part of the country. How current is it and what area of the country are those services again? I'm accustomed paying the higher rates of almost twice that consulting them.
02-14-2004 05:15 PM
Just kidding. Where you've been when they needed you? 
