Orlando State Tax Attorney

Orlando State Tax Lawyer

Taxpayers are responsible for state and federal taxes. Florida’s lack of a personal income tax draws many employees and entrepreneurs, but that does not mean there are no state taxes. Businesses and individuals may need to pay property taxes, sales taxes, unemployment taxes, and corporate income taxes in some cases, in addition to federal and local taxes. An Orlando state tax attorney can help ensure you pay the necessary taxes individually or for your business.

When you have a complete understanding of your tax responsibility, you are more likely to avoid violations, penalties, and adverse actions by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state tax agency. These laws can be complicated, however, and an attorney can help you navigate them.

Tax Smith Tax Attorneys: Representing Florida Taxpayers

At Tax Smith Tax Attorneys, we understand that taxes and tax law are frequently frustrating and confusing. Our goal is to help you understand your responsibilities and prevent disputes or penalties. If you are facing tax liabilities or debt in Orlando, we can determine how you can limit or eliminate those penalties so you can effectively pay back your debt. We work with individual and business taxpayers and have decades of experience helping our clients resolve their taxes.

Finding the right tax attorney team is important because you need to feel comfortable with your legal team and feel that you can rely on them when you need them. At Tax Smith Tax Attorneys, we want to provide you with the legal support you need to deal with tax disputes, audits, investigations, and other complex legal issues.

Potential Tax Disputes in Orlando

Both state and federal taxes can result in disputes and legal issues with the IRS or the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR). Some of the most common tax disputes include:

• Tax penalties. Penalties can be assessed for late tax returns, use of dishonored checks, not depositing employment taxes on time, or inaccurate information. Some of these penalties can accrue interest and may even apply after a full tax debt is paid. There may be options to remove these penalties and their interest or limit them, such as arguing reasonable cause or challenging the accuracy of the penalties.
• Employment tax issues. Businesses must pay state taxes like re-employment and payroll taxes, as well as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, federal unemployment taxes, federal payroll taxes, and other required taxes. Businesses need to fulfill their tax obligations, including properly categorizing their employees correctly.
• Tax audits. Audits can be made by the IRS or the state DOR. Audits can occur for many reasons but can become more serious if noncompliance or discrepancies are discovered. An attorney can help businesses and individuals prepare for an audit, ensure things are in order, and protect taxpayer rights.
• Liens and levies. If a taxpayer ignores their tax debt, one action that state or federal authorities may take is imposing liens or levies on property and bank accounts. These collection actions can be very overwhelming, and it’s important to act quickly to address them.
• Property tax. Disputes over-assessed property taxes can be complicated and require resources to revolve. An attorney may be able to help lower a property tax liability.
• Innocent spouse relief. This allows spouses who were unaware of their spouse’s or ex-spouse’s tax issues to avoid being held liable for tax debt. There are other qualifications that must be met, and an attorney can help determine taxpayer eligibility.
• Tax fraud and tax evasion. If the IRS or DOR believes that a taxpayer is deliberately avoiding paying full taxes, the agency may assess civil penalties or file criminal charges. This may include underreporting income, hiding assets, adding deductions, employee misclassification, and other actions. An attorney is crucial in these cases.

FAQs

Q: Can a Tax Attorney Negotiate With the IRS?

A: Yes, a tax attorney can negotiate with the IRS on behalf of individual and business taxpayers. An attorney is useful for negotiating methods to resolve penalties, interest, and back taxes, helping you remove your tax debt. This may include negotiating a payment plan, penalty abatement, or other solutions.

Tax attorneys can also help in other areas of tax law, such as IRS audits and audit defense or criminal charges of tax fraud and evasion. They can help limit the stress of dealing with the IRS.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Tax Attorney and a CPA?

A: The main difference between a tax attorney and a CPA (certified public accountant) is their area of focus in tax law. Both are educated and informed in tax laws but prioritize different areas.

A CPA typically focuses on filing taxes for individuals and businesses and helping taxpayers plan their finances. A tax attorney focuses on litigation and negotiation with tax agencies, including tax debt resolution, audit representation, criminal investigations and charges, and other legal needs for taxes.

Q: How Much Does a State Tax Attorney Cost in Florida?

A: State tax attorney in Florida costs vary based on many circumstances. There are many factors which can make this rate much higher or lower, including:

• The type of legal services needed, such as whether you need tax preparation services or audit representation.
• The attorney’s fee structure for that type of legal service.
• The skill, past success, and abilities of the attorney you hire.
• The complexity of your unique tax case needs.

Discuss fees with your attorney prior to hiring them.

Q: Does the IRS Ever Settle for Less?

A: Yes, the IRS does settle for less, but it is available to a very small amount of taxpayers. An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an option for some taxpayers to settle their entire tax debt for a lower amount. An OIC is an incredibly useful option for those who qualify. You may qualify for this option if you are unable to pay the full tax debt; doing so would place you in financial hardship, or there is legitimate uncertainty if you owe the stated amount of taxes.

Secure Help From a State Tax Attorney

At Tax Smith Tax Attorneys, we want to help taxpayers in Orlando navigate their state taxes and any tax disputes with ease. We can help you with many legal tax needs and provide you with the knowledge and resources needed to resolve them efficiently. Contact our firm today.