Perhaps you’re concerned about your tax situation—specifically, you’re worried about getting into hot water with the IRS. Enlisting the help of a tax attorney before you prepare your tax return this spring is a sure-fire way to help you navigate the process, particularly if your tax situation is complex.
Your hope is that an attorney will help you with preparing your return as well as address other lingering tax issues that won’t go away on their own. What attorney-client privilege does for you during this time of year is allows you to work through any complex tax matters with ease and with confidence.
What exactly is attorney-client privilege? Are discussions surrounding the preparation of a tax return or other tax matters privileged?
Here’s an overview on what attorney-client privilege is. Learn what it is, and how we at Delia Law can help.
A Glimpse at Attorney-Client privilege
What is attorney-client privilege? This legal concept is designed to protect any communications between you and your attorney so that they remain private and confidential.
Attorney-Client Privilege and Already Filed Tax Returns
You might be wondering what attorney-client privilege is when it comes to tackling an IRS controversy involving past tax returns. This legal concept ensures that if your attorney is representing you or advising you regarding returns that you have already filed, he or she must keep your communications with him or her private.
Audits
So, what is attorney-client privilege when it comes to dealing with an audit in particular? If your attorney is providing you with advice in the administrative setting regarding a tax issue, the concept of attorney-client privilege in New York applies to your situation. After all, your attorney is doing more than simply verifying that the information included in a particular return is accurate. Rather, your attorney is giving you advice concerning legal issues that involve case law or the interpretation of a statute.
Appeals
You may additionally be wondering what attorney-client privilege is in a situation involving appealing the outcome of your tax audit. The good news is that according to this legal concept, your attorney must keep your discussions with him or her private if he or she is representing you before the appeals office of the IRS. This is especially true considering that the appeals process is quite similar to litigation, an area in which attorney-client privilege broadly applies.
Attorney-Client Privilege and Tax Return Preparation
Because federal and state tax laws are quite complex, taxpayers interested in filing returns often need legal assistance to resolve issues related to tax compliance. This is especially true if your financial situation is a sophisticated one, a return preparer with no legal background might not be able to adequately prepare your return for you. After all, taxation has many gray areas, and making the wrong decision when filing your return can get you into legal trouble.
In this situation, you need the reliable tax advice of an attorney. Of course, you might be wondering what attorney-client privilege is when it comes to filing tax returns. If an attorney chooses to help you with filing your return, any communication you have with him or her during this process—including email, for example—must be kept private. In other words, discussions surrounding the preparation of a tax return are privileged.
Protect Yourself During Tax Season This Year with Help from a Reputable Attorney
You may be facing some serious tax issues as we enter a new year. For instance, perhaps you have not filed taxes for the past few years, thus leaving you with hefty back taxes. Or, maybe you’re facing the threat of having your wages garnished by the IRS. Perhaps you’re worried about facing a life-crippling IRS tax levy or lien.
No matter what tax problem you may be facing, the good news is that we at Delia Law can help. We can guide you in pursuing one of several IRS tax relief options, such as an offer in compromise, where you may be able to settle a good portion of your tax debt through a personally beneficial tax relief settlement. Another option that may work in your case is a payment plan to the IRS, where you arrange to pay back a portion of what you owe each month.
The great thing about working with us is that we also adhere to the principal of attorney-client privilege in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. That means discussions surrounding the preparation of a tax return are privileged no matter where you speak with our professionals.
Get in touch with us to find out more about what attorney-client privilege is and how we can use this in combination with our extensive expertise to protect your financial best interests during this tax season.
