Choosing a Tax Attorney or CPA

What is a Tax Attorney?

Taxes are payments that are required by individuals that exist in tandem with financial, commercial, and consumer activity. Within a tax-based society, these fees may be incurred for a multitude of reasons and through a variety of means; Taxes can range in their collection process, procedure of payment, and respective rate(s). While certain Taxes may be required by the entire populace, other Taxes may be required by a finite group of individuals.

Tax attorneys are legal professionals specializing in the legal field of taxation, which can include auditing, corporate tax law, accounting, and finance. Tax lawyers and attorneys can assist individuals in further understanding both the terms and requirements latent in utilizing a tax preparation program, in addition to the provision of assistance with regard to the authenticity and legality expressed in any or all tax forms.

Tax Attorney vs. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

While both of these professions require secondary degrees, advanced education, and highly-specialized training, the certifications latent in each respective profession differ with regard to tax law:

1. A Tax Attorney is an individual who specializes in the legal field of taxes and taxation, which can span a multitude of corollary factors including a variance in types of taxation, supplementary legality, and expressed legislation with regard to the nature of activity applicable to the taxes in question. For example - in the event of commercial or consumer tax law - it is not uncommon for that Tax Attorney to specialize in commercial, consumer, and tax legality.

• Many taxpayers find this to be beneficial both in the analysis process, as well as the preparation process with regard to specific taxation; supplementary experience may allow a Tax Attorney to utilize a heightened understanding of legality with regard to legal fields that may overlap

• A Tax Attorney may be able to set-forth appeals, applications for tax relief, or compile deduction requests; a Tax Attorney will be able to authenticate tax preparation reports with regard to their latent validity and legality

2. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional typically specializing in accounting, finance, and taxation. In contrast to a Tax Attorney, a CPA specializes in the preparation of tax reports and statements typically in lieu of strict legal analysis of implicit circumstances; while a CPA will prepare tax forms and statements with regard to their clientele, they are not permitted to offer any legal advice with regard to the preparation of such documents - however, a CPA may ensure that all taxes are filed legally and ethically.

• A CPA will investigate possible tax breaks, deductions, and potential tax relief, yet in prohibited from preparing legal documentation; however, a CPA is permitted to suggest consultation with a Tax Attorney

• While a CPA is not authorized to substantiate the expressed legality of respective activity, a CPA may authenticate that the tax preparation submitted exists in compliance with all legal protocol and parameters

Tax Assistance

A Tax Attorney may be of value to individuals operating in a multi-faceted commercial situation in which a variety of legal realms are applicable. However, individuals are encouraged to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to receive all necessary documentation with regard to the filing of taxes. The IRS can be contacted through their toll-free telephone number: (800) 829-1040.

NEXT: E-Filing Taxes