Latest news with #AnnualFilingSeasonProgram
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Can a tax attorney help with the IRS?
It's tax filing time, and for many Americans, that means extra financial stress. Some may be unable to pay their tax bills or could find themselves adding onto already existing tax debt — putting them further in deep with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you're dealing with these problems, a tax attorney may be able to help. "A tax attorney is a lawyer specializing in tax law who helps clients manage complex tax issues, disputes with the IRS, audits, and legal tax strategies," says Stewart Willis, president of Asset Preservation Wealth and Tax. "Unlike other tax professionals, they offer attorney-client privilege, ensuring confidentiality." Still, a tax attorney isn't right for every scenario, and this type of legal help can get expensive. Here's when pros say you might want one — and when you can use a traditional tax pro or handle an issue yourself. Need help with your IRS tax debt? Get it here . As Willis noted, tax attorneys can be helpful if your situation requires discretion, as they're required to keep anything discussed confidential, per legal code. They can also assist with IRS audits , tax liens and levies, and wage garnishments , according to Willis, and can be particularly helpful if you're dealing with very large tax debts — even negotiating with the IRS on your behalf. When you'll really want one, though, is if you find yourself in a dispute with the IRS and are facing down tax court. "Tax attorneys are authorized to practice before the IRS and tax court," says Rob Burnette, CEO of Outlook Financial Center. "If you feel your case is headed for tax court, a tax attorney is your only choice. Others — like an IRS enrolled agent — can represent you in front of the IRS but not tax court." Find out more about resolving your IRS tax debt today . Technically, a tax attorney can help you with anything, from filing your tax return to doling out general tax advice, "but they will be the most expensive choice," Burnette says. For this reason, they're best used for serious and significant tax issues. Filing your returns or getting a tax extension , for example, are probably not things you'd use a tax attorney for. "Simpler matters — like minor tax errors, straightforward payment plans, or basic filings — can usually be handled directly or with a CPA," Willis says. If you find yourself being audited, your tax preparer can help with the initial phases, as long as they have the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) designation . "If the process is escalated beyond the initial discovery and review stage, an IRS enrolled agent will be needed to represent the taxpayer before the IRS," Burnette says. This will typically cost much less than using a tax attorney. "A tax attorney would need to take over any case that gets appealed to tax court," Burnette says. There are many types of tax professionals, including tax preparers, CPAs, IRS enrolled agents and tax attorneys. If you're facing tax debts, a tax relief company may be able to help, too. If you're not sure which is needed in your case, talk to a financial advisor or the professional who helps with your annual tax returns. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Las Vegas tax preparer pleads guilty to filing false tax returns for clients
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas tax return preparer pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns for clients, resulting in at least $550,000 in tax loss, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Keisy Altagracia Sosa pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. Since at least 2007, Sosa has operated National Tax Service, a tax return preparation business in Las Vegas. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2016 to 2021, Sosa prepared and filed with the IRS false tax returns on behalf of clients. The tax returns falsely claimed dependents, claimed fictitious Schedule A expenses, such as sales taxes paid and unreimbursed employee expenses and claimed fictitious Schedule C expenses purportedly associated with a business operated by the taxpayer, the DOJ said. The IRS sent multiple letters notifying Sosa that the returns that she filed appeared inaccurate and that she may not have met her due diligence requirements. The letters also reminded her of those obligations and directed her to resources with more information about those obligations. However, after receiving the letters, Sosa continued to prepare false returns, according to the DOJ. Sosa's sentencing is scheduled for June 11 and the maximum statutory penalty is three years in prison as well as a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. The DOJ wants to remind taxpayers to remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. Tax preparers that promise larger refunds than their competition may place taxpayers at risk of being part of a criminal scheme. The IRS urges all taxpayers to verify that the information on their tax returns is correct before filing. For more tips on how to safeguard yourself against unscrupulous tax preparers, and for information on how to find a preparer, visit the IRS website. The IRS also offers tips on choosing a tax professional as a small business taxpayer. Additionally, the IRS has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers to help taxpayers find professional, credentialed preparers recognized by the agency or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
