What should I do if I receive a letter or notice from the IRS or state tax authority? You should review the Notice carefully to identify which tax year has an issue, then reach out to a tax professional for more information and guidance.
What is an Offer in Compromise, and am I eligible to apply for one? An Offer in Compromise is the process by which you can enter into a settlement agreement with the Internal Revenue Service for the balance of your tax liability. Although anyone can apply for one, it is not a straightforward process of offering an amount you believe the Internal Revenue Service will take. Suppose you are interested in an Offer in Compromise. In that case, it is best to discuss that option with a tax professional and complete a full financial analysis to determine if you qualify.
What are the potential consequences of not filing or paying my taxes on time? Failing to file or pay taxes on time can have various consequences, from having penalties and interest added to your balance, the Internal Revenue Service filing on your behalf with no allowable credits, to more drastic measures of Wage Garnishments, Bank Levies, and liens of property.
How can I avoid penalties and interest on unpaid taxes? The best way to avoid penalties and interest is to pay the tax debt as quickly as possible. If you cannot pay in full, penalty abatement may be an option, depending on your situation.
What are my options if I disagree with the results of an IRS audit? If you disagree with an IRS audit, you can contest the determination via the appeals process or Tax Court, depending on where you are in the process.
Can you help with payroll tax or employment tax issues for my business? Yes, the IRS takes payroll and employment tax issues very seriously and is very aggressive in its pursuit. Having representatives who understand the process is key to overcoming these types of problems.
What is tax relief, and how do I know if I qualify? Tax relief is the process of exploring your options to your tax situation. The best way to know if you qualify is to speak to a tax professional about your situation.
How do tax laws affect cryptocurrency holdings or foreign bank accounts? Now that the IRS has provided guidance on cryptocurrency, we know to treat it as property and an investment. This means that you only pay taxes on the net gain (the current value minus what you paid for it). This is important because with the initial basis, your tax liability could be much higher. As for foreign bank accounts, proper reporting of them is the key issue for most taxpayers. The IRS has strict rules and deadlines for Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR) and more stringent penalties for missing them.
What steps should I take to correct a previously filed tax return? If you need to correct a previously filed return, you should verify whether the statute of limitations for amending a return has expired. If you have time remaining, you will need to confirm the mistake and prepare an amended return to correct any inaccuracies. Lastly, you should mail it via certified mail to the appropriate service center for your state, listed
here.
Do I need a tax lawyer or a CPA, and what’s the difference? The difference between a Tax Lawyer and a CPA is the level of representation they can provide. A tax lawyer can represent you before various taxing authorities and courts to correct past mistakes, while a CPA can help prevent issues through proper filing and maintaining records.
How long have you been practicing tax law? I have been practicing tax law for over 11 years
Do you focus solely on tax law, or do you practice in other areas as well? While I specialize in tax law, I also assist clients with business formation issues from a tax perspective.
What types of tax matters do you most often handle: individual, business, international, or estate-related? I most often handle individual and business tax matters.
Have you represented clients in audits, appeals, or tax court proceedings? Yes, I have represented clients in all three types of matters.
Are you authorized to represent clients before the IRS and state tax agencies? Yes, I am authorized to represent clients nationwide before the IRS and the Florida Department of Revenue.
What’s your experience with negotiating settlements, such as Offers in Compromise or installment agreements? I have over 11 years of experience negotiating the full range of settlements, from Currently Not Collectible to Offer in Compromise, with the IRS and the Florida Department of Revenue.
How do you help clients manage and minimize future tax liabilities? I assist clients in managing future tax liabilities by educating them about laws and regulations so they understand and can plan for the next steps. I also offer tax planning services to help reduce future tax liabilities.
Do you provide legal advice for business formation and tax structure planning? Yes, I do provide legal advice for business formation and tax structure planning.
How do you keep clients informed about deadlines, requirements, and risks? All of our clients gain access to our secure client portal, which allows for secure messaging to relay upcoming deadlines and calendar events as reminders. Additionally, the portal enables secure document sharing to protect all confidential and sensitive information.
How do you stay updated with changes in federal and state tax laws? I follow various tax news websites and take advantage of the Continuing Legal Education offered by the bar associations to which I belong.
Do you offer ongoing tax compliance support? Yes, I provide post-resolution tax compliance through yearly tax monitoring.
How do you charge for your services: hourly or flat fee? The fee for the services depends on the type of work involved. Some matters will be billed as a flat fee, while others will be charged on an hourly basis.
What is included in your legal fees, and are there any additional costs I should be aware of (e.g., filing fees, expert witnesses, court costs)? The Client will cover all costs related to the Attorney's representation, including court fees, deposition expenses, expert and investigation fees, long-distance charges, messenger, photocopying, and process server fees. We aim to keep you informed about potential costs during your case.
Can you help me resolve tax debt or negotiate a payment plan with the IRS? Yes, that is our specialty at the Lamarre Law Group: helping people resolve tax debt or negotiate a fair payment plan with the IRS.
Do you offer free consultations, or do you charge for the initial meeting? Everyone gets a free 15-minute consultation.
Do you offer payment plans or flexible billing options? Yes, we offer flexible billing options up to twelve months.
Are retainers required, and if so, how much? Is unused retainer money refundable? Retainers are required, typically amounting to 30% of the estimated fee. The refundability of unused retainers depends on the fee structure. In an hourly fee arrangement, used retainers will be adjusted accordingly. In a flat fee setup, the retainer is earned upon submission and is therefore non-refundable.
How will you keep me informed about the progress of my case or matter? You will receive updates on your case via phone calls and secure messages in the client portal.
Who will be my main point of contact at your firm? Will I work directly with you or with a team? I will serve as your main point of contact, and all communications will be directed to me.
How quickly do you respond to emails, phone calls, or messages? Please allow 48 business hours for my response.
How often can I expect updates about my case or legal matter? You will get an update every three weeks unless there's an urgent issue.
What’s the best way to communicate with you: email, phone, client portal, or in-person meetings? The best way to communicate with me is through the client portal, followed by email, since I am on the phone with the IRS quite a bit.
What should I do if I can’t pay my tax bill in full? Speak to a tax professional to discuss potential options you may have.
How do tax liens and levies work, and how can they be removed? ● Tax liens and levies are two separate enforcement tools the IRS uses to collect delinquent taxes. Tax liens allow the IRS to attach to real property to secure its interests and collect outstanding tax liabilities. This does not necessarily mean they will enforce the sale or foreclosure of the property; typically, the IRS uses this tactic to secure its interest in the proceeds from a property sale that occurs during the collection period. There are various complicated methods to remove a lien, but the most straightforward is to pay the balance. A tax levy is one of the most aggressive enforcement actions the IRS can take against an individual. A levy will wipe out all funds cleared and pending in a bank account at the time of issuance. If a levy has been issued, you have at most 21 days to negotiate a resolution to release those funds. Otherwise, the IRS will apply the funds to the outstanding balance.
Can you help me if I’m facing criminal tax charges or investigations? Yes, we can help those facing a criminal tax investigation. We have a network of Federal criminal defense attorneys here in Florida with whom we work closely.
What is the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance? Tax avoidance is the legal practice of reducing taxes by utilizing tax credits and deductions. Tax evasion is the fraudulent concealment of taxes by hiding or failing to report income or falsifying records.
How does the statute of limitations affect my tax liabilities or audits? The statute of limitations is the amount of time the IRS or tax authority has to collect any outstanding tax liability or to make any adjustments to any filed return. If the statute of limitations runs out with an active balance, that balance is now considered zero as if it never existed. For audits, if the statute of limitations passes, the taxing authorities are no longer able to make any adjustments.
What are the tax implications of selling property, investments, or a business? The tax implications of selling property, investments, or businesses are dependent on its type and the length of time you've held them. It is in your best interest to discuss the implications with a tax professional.
Can you assist with IRS identity theft or tax refund fraud issues? Yes, I can help you navigate the process for identity theft and refund fraud issues.
How can I deal with back taxes from previous years? The best way to handle back taxes from previous years is to consult a tax professional who can help you understand your options and clarify the actual balance and its causes. Once you have that information, that tax professional and you can develop a solid strategy to resolve the liability.