Dealing with a tax problem can feel overwhelming, whether it’s a notice from the IRS or a demand from a state tax agency. The complex web of tax laws and the aggressive collection powers of these agencies can leave you feeling lost and anxious.
At McCauley Law Offices, we understand the stress that comes with tax debt and disputes. Our team of experienced tax attorneys, led by Greg McCauley, Esq. and Greg McCauley Jr., Esq., provides expert tax litigation and resolution services. We offer a powerful combination of national-level expertise and a deep understanding of tax laws to help you find a path forward.
This guide will give you an overview of the most common tax problems we handle and explain why having a tax attorney on your side is your best defense against both state and federal tax authorities.
Common Tax Problems and Legal Solutions
When facing a tax problem, it can feel like you’re backed into a corner, but you have rights and options. Our firm handles a wide range of issues, providing strategic legal counsel from start to finish.
1. Aggressive Collection Actions: Levies and Garnishments
When tax authorities don’t receive payment, they often resort to aggressive collection actions. A bank levy allows the IRS or a state tax agency to seize funds directly from your bank account. A wage garnishment is a legal order to your employer to withhold a portion of your paycheck to pay your tax debt.
Our Legal Solution: The most critical action is to act immediately. As tax attorneys, we can contact the tax agency on your behalf and use our legal standing to negotiate for the immediate release of a levy or garnishment. Our primary goal is to stop the bleeding and then work on a long-term solution, such as a manageable payment plan.
2. Tax Audits and Assessments
Whether it’s a personal or a business tax audit, a notice from a tax agency is a serious matter. These agencies are empowered to scrutinize your financial records for discrepancies and can make an assessment that you owe more money.
Our Legal Solution: An attorney can represent you in an audit, preparing you for questioning and handling all communication to ensure your rights are protected. We can help you challenge an unfair assessment by building a strong, documented case to either reduce or eliminate your tax liability.
3. Unfiled Tax Returns
Unfiled tax returns are a common problem that can lead to severe penalties. When you fail to file, the government can file a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf, which often overstates your tax liability and ignores deductions or credits you may be entitled to.
Our Legal Solution: Our first priority is to get you back into compliance. We can help you file all delinquent returns, ensuring that all applicable deductions and credits are claimed to minimize your tax burden. Filing these returns is often a prerequisite for many other tax relief programs.
Why Choose a Tax Attorney?
When facing a tax problem, you can choose from a few types of representatives. But a tax attorney offers unique advantages that are crucial in complex or high-stakes cases.
- Attorney-Client Privilege: Only a licensed attorney can provide attorney-client privilege. This means all communications between you and our firm are confidential and cannot be used against you in court. This protection is essential for a full and frank discussion of your case.
- Legal Expertise and Litigation: As Esq.-designated attorneys, Greg McCauley and Greg McCauley Jr. are trained in the law. We are not just preparing tax forms; we are building legal arguments. This legal expertise is invaluable in audit defense and can be the deciding factor if your case needs to be appealed to tax court.
- Comprehensive Representation: A tax attorney is the only professional who can represent you in all aspects of a tax case—from negotiation with the IRS and state agencies to litigation in federal and state courts. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully litigating against the IRS and can take your case all the way to a trial if necessary.
At McCauley Law Offices, we believe that no one should have to face a tax problem alone. We are committed to providing aggressive, compassionate, and effective legal representation to individuals and businesses burdened by tax debt.
If you’re facing a tax issue, don’t wait for the situation to get worse. Contact McCauley Law Offices at (610) 686-9839 for a confidential consultation at one of our three convenient locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
