BEST TAX RELIEF ATTORNEY

rd1551@sbcglobal.net asked:

I posed this ? to the Tax Office who refuses a homestead exemption I’ve had since 1983.They referred me to the Appraisal District office for ownership changes and courthouse for Deed/Title filing.both summarilly ignored my ?. Attorneys’ receieve hundreds for title search and transfer. Is this neccessary to ensure the appraisal district office gives my name only to the taxing/exmption entity as owner.

Owe back taxes? Not dealing with it yet? You are not alone but there is a solution to your back taxes problem and your tax procrastination.

Any tax attorney or tax resolution professional will tell you that most of their clients who owe back taxes made the problem worse by procrastinating. It is a very human response to a scary problem. However, there’s a solution to “back taxes terror” and “failure to file” syndrome. What tax procrastinators need to fear, is not the amount of back taxes owed, but fear itself.

Back taxes terror can take a number of forms. If solving IRS problems seems too difficult or you feel like you don’t know enough about the tax code, there’s tax help available from a good tax attorney or tax resolution professional. If you’re afraid of the world knowing you screwed up your taxes, that’s nothing compared to failure to file penalties or even gong to jail for tax evasion. Don’t let your back taxes fear get the best of you when it comes to the IRS. People tend to ignore their back taxes problems hoping they will go away – but back tax debt will only get worse.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to every back taxes problem, such as negotiating partial payments via IRS payment plans, applying for tax settlements through the Offer in Compromise program, etc. But the first step is getting over your fears by contacting a tax attorney or tax resolution professional now.

Everyone procrastinates to some degree, however procrastinating when it comes to taxes can be detrimental to your overall financial wellbeing. But there’s hope for tax procrastinators! Procrastination is most often caused by anxiety, not laziness. Back taxes terror isn’t like other forms of tax procrastination. Paralyzing back taxes terror snowballs when you know you owe the IRS delinquent back taxes and your nightmare ratchets up knowing that each delay getting IRS help on your unfiled tax returns or back taxes exposes you to IRS audits, tax liens, wage garnishments, delinquent tax penalties, fines and even jail time for tax fraud.

Procrastinating on unfiled tax returns and back taxes can come in a few varieties.

1. The IRS hasn’t sent you a letter yet, so you think they’ve forgotten about your back taxes.

Maybe you are delinquent on your taxes because you didn’t file your taxes for a number of years and are hoping the IRS doesn’t notice your back taxes owed. Bet your bottom dollar that the IRS will discover every unfiled tax return at the worst possible moment and then the IRS will go after your assumed debt from back taxes with levies, wage garnishments, tax liens, delinquent tax penalties and a tax audit of your federal and state returns.

The sad part of unfiled tax returns is that people who fear back taxes actually end up losing money that would rightfully be theirs.  Bankrate states that  “According to the IRS, 1.3 million individuals who failed to file a tax return in 2004 left a total of $1.2 billion in unclaimed refunds in the coffers. Half of those nonfilers would have received a refund of more than $552. Some also may have been eligible for the refundable earned income tax credit.”

If you haven’t gotten an IRS back taxes notice yet, run to your nearest tax attorney or tax resolution professional as soon as you can. Being proactive gives you an advantage so you can work on YOUR timetable rather than the IRS’  even while your time is running out. Remember, the key to beating tax procrastination is taking bite sized baby steps. The first all important step is contacting a tax attorney or tax resolution professional today. Let them hold your hand through this back taxes process. Taking care of a client’s anxiety is what a good tax attorney and tax resolution professional does.

2. You get a scary-looking letter or notice from the IRS and you’re so terrified you can’t even open the envelope.

So you stuff it under a pile of magazines, hoping it will go away. No such luck. It won’t.  But don’t panic. Most IRS notices are about simple math or form errors. Even if you use tax preparation software, you could’ve clicked on the wrong check box (for example “head of household” doesn’t mean who holds the remote control). Many of these errors actually work in your favor with the IRS owing you money. By not opening that letter, you are letting the IRS keep money that should be yours. But if the error works against you and you owe back taxes, delaying your response won’t make it any easier. The IRS will levy penalties on you and could ratchet up their investigation into a multi-year tax audit. If you feel the IRS is in error or you can’t pay your back taxes, you should contact a tax resolution professional or tax attorney. On no account should you talk to anyone at the IRS yourself. (See below.)

3. You open the big bad scary IRS tax audit letter and you are paralyzed with fear.

If you feel you are out of your depth, you are. Leave this back taxes issue to the professionals. Contact a tax attorney or tax resolution professional. A willful delay paying your back taxes or responding to the IRS could mean jail time.

Did you know it is a misdemeanor in this country not to file a legally required return when due? That’s the whole reason why actor Wesley Snipes went to jail! Even if you haven’t filed one year – it is still considered delinquent. Open your IRS letter and call a tax attorney or tax resolution specialist immediately to make an action plan.

If it is a correspondence audit letter, it will show your filed returns versus what the IRS shows was filed on your behalf by other parties. If you don’t respond with expert help then you will get another letter forcing you to go to tax court or pay up! You will also be sent to collection for your back taxes. This is why you need to go to a tax resolution professional or tax attorney, to resolve your back taxes issues before you get sent to collection!

The wrong thing to do is not respond to your letter. The other wrong thing to do is not get professional help! Here’s why: every audit we go to is an eggshell audit because the first thing that the nice auditor is going to do is ask you 54 questions – so that you can incriminate yourself. Over half of the referrals to the IRS’s criminal investigation division come from that very nice lady or gentleman you’re sitting across the table from. It’s like going to court without a lawyer.

Whether you are a chronic procrastinator or person of action, you only have one choice to deal with your back taxes problem: get expert help! A good tax attorney or tax resolution professional will make you a tax relief action plan. A back taxes solution might be an offer in compromise; the IRS will accept a much smaller lump sum for the total back taxes debt that’s owed- if you can prove that you do not have the future ability to pay the IRS off. If you try to handle your back taxes issues yourself, you’re going up against the most brutal collection agency on the planet and they are trained to say “no”! They are not in the business of saying yes to writing off back taxes and that is why you need tax expert representation!

You need to act today. Often the fear of back taxes results in tax problems compounding for years, until it starts to affect other areas of your life (self-confidence, frustration, personal/family time). So if this is you, the solution is: Stop the procrastination. Let a tax resolution professional help you cope with the pressures of back tax debt and begin the important task of overcoming them so you can regain your personal (and financial) freedom.

Okay back taxes procrastinator, you now know what to do. It is time to get started. You’ll feel better.

For more information on achieving a tax resolution for your unfiled tax returns or back taxes, visit www.taxresolution.com for a free tax relief consultation or call 866-IRS-PROBLEMS.

By: Michael Rozbruch

rachael asked:

After my father died, my grandmother fought my mother for the life insurance he had left us. They went to court and settled, with mother receiving a much-reduced amount on the policy and the rest being split among my grandmother, aunts and uncles.

My mother first received a letter from the IRS saying she owed a ton of money in taxes on the life insurance money. She called them and they corrected themselves, but still said she owes taxes on a portion of the money. The portion in question is money that came from the settlement and was paid to the attorney.

I thought life insurance money wasn’t taxable (outside of estate taxes). The money my mother received from the settlement which she used to pay the attorney who handled the settlement is still life insurance money, right?

Should that money be taxable?

If you have ignored earlier notices from the IRS urging you to pay your unpaid taxes or informing you about some errors in the calculation of your taxes, then the IRS will start using their heavy weapons. They will send you a Notice of Intent to Levy. This notice simply means that they are tired of talking to you and now are ready to take serious action against you by choking your financial blood flow.

This basically means that they can snatch away your bank balance, your wages, your assets such as your car, your boat or your home and also bonds, stocks or life insurance policies which you might have. For example, if a wage levy or wage garnishment as it is called is levied, your employer will then have to withhold a large portion of your paycheck, which will be transferred to the IRS in case you are unable to solve your IRS problems within 21 days.

In case of a bank levy, your bank manager will be instructed by the IRS to freeze the amount in your bank account, which the IRS feels, you owe to them. You can still use your bank account to deposit or withdraw money, but the amount, which you supposedly owe to the IRS will remain frozen till you can sort out the matter. If you do not sort out your problem within 30 days, then that amount will get transferred to the IRS, which will make it more difficult to get back.

So, the first thing to do, once you do get a Notice of Intent to Levy is to contact your tax attorney or if you are able to handle it yourself, then directly contact the IRS. The intent is to make it clear to the IRS that you are serious about resolving the problem as soon as possible. In case you cannot pay your taxes due to an extreme reason such as bankruptcy or a serious illness in your immediate family, then those relevant documents have to be submitted to the IRS. Your Tax Attorney will be able to show you the correct way out once he knows the details of your case. There are many attorneys who are willing to do a free assessment of your case. You could try contacting a few to take their opinion. But since time is of the essence, it is imperative that you contact them immediately.

You could also go to the official site of the IRS, to check out the meaning and derivatives of all the forms and documents related to your case. Your Tax Attorney could also help you to fill out a form known as the request for collection due process form, which entitles you to a meeting with the IRS officer before any actual action against you is taken. If you do not submit this form with 30 days, you can still arrange a meeting, but your bank account or wage will be frozen.

The form contains a section, which may allow you to pay your back dated taxes in installments in case you are unable to pay your tax at one go. However, this is subject to your discussions with your Tax Attorney and the IRS officer. These installments will also include your penalty and interest amounts. There is also one more section called the ‘Offer In Compromise’, where you can offer to pay the IRS and amount, which is less that the amount that they are demanding from you. One more section is the innocent spouse relief, where, if you feel that you are being penalized by the IRS because of actions take by your spouse or ex-spouse, then that too can be explained to the IRS in this section.

In case you feel that the IRS has made an error in sending you the Notice of Intent to Levy and that you do not owe them any money, then you will have to contact your Tax Attorney and he can direct you to take the matter to court, depending on your case. This can mean a long drawn battle and should be considered only as a last step.

So, whatever your strategy, it is very important to get into action the minute you receive the Notice of Intent to Levy from the IRS. Going slow is going to only harm you and make the case of the IRS even stronger.

By: Kris Koonar

……..LIKE A BOSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! asked:

Alabama: At Least We’re Not Mississippi

Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can’t be Wrong!

Arizona: But It’s a Dry Heat

Arkansas: Litterasy Ain’t Everthing

California: As Seen on TV

Colorado: If You Don’t Ski, Don’t Bother

Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only Dirtier and With Less Character

Delaware: We Really Do Like the Chemicals in Our Water

Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids

Georgia: Without Atlanta We’re Alabama

Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha’ami Leeki Toru
(Death to Mainland Scum, But Leave Your Money)

Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes… OK, Maybe Not, But The Potatoes Are Real Good

Illinois: Please Don’t Pronounce the “S”

Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free

Iowa: We Do Amazing Things With Corn

Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States

Kentucky: 5 Million People; Seven Last Names

Louisiana: We’re Not All Drunk Cajuns

Maine: We’re Really Cold, But We Have Cheap Lobster

Maryland: A Thinking Man’s Delaware

Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden’s

Michigan: First Line of Defense From the Canadians

Minnesota: 10,000 Lakes and 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 Mosquitoes

Mississippi: Come Feel Better About Your Own State

Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars at Work

Montana: Land of the Big Sky, the Unabomber, Right-Wing Crazies and Very Little Else

Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest

Nevada: Whores and Poker!

New Hampshire: Go Away and Leave Us Alone

New Jersey: You Want a F**kin’ Motto? I Got Yer F**kin’ Motto Right Here!

New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent Pets

New York: You Have the Right to Remain Silent, You Have the Right to an Attorney…

North Carolina: Tobacco is a Vegetable

North Dakota: We Really are One of the 50 States!

Ohio: We Wish We Were In Michigan

Oklahoma: Like the Play, Only No Singing

Oregon: Spotted Owl — It’s What’s For Dinner

Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal

Rhode Island: We’re Not Really An Island

South Carolina: We Have Never Actually Surrendered to the North

South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota

Tennessee: The Educashun State

Texas: A Whole ‘Nother Country!

Utah: Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus

Vermont: Yep

Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs and Slackjaw Yokels Don’t Mix?

Washington: Help! We’re Overrun By Nerds and Slackers!

Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?

West Virginia: One Big Happy Family — Really!

Wisconsin: Come Cut Our Cheese

Wyoming: Wynot?

source:http://www.jokes.com/funny/america/state-slogans

Portland, ME (November 26, 2007) –  Twenty-eight lawyers from Verrill Dana, LLP have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2007 edition of New England Super Lawyers.  This impartial and well-respected annual guide recognizes the top five percent of lawyers in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.  The rigorous selection process includes peer nominations, a blue-ribbon panel review and independent research on candidates.  Advertising in the New England Super Lawyers guide has no bearing on the selection process.

Portland attorneys included are Eric D. Altholz (Employee Benefits/ERISA); Juliet T. Browne (Environmental); Anthony M. Calcagni (Real Estate); Roger A. Clement, Jr. (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights); Judith M. Coburn (Estate Planning & Probate); Christopher J.W. Coggeshall (Real Estate); Douglas P. Currier (Employment & Labor); Beth Dobson (Banking); Gregory S. Fryer (Business/Corporate); Gregg H. Ginn (Employee Benefits/ERISA); James G. Goggin (Intellectual Property); Mark K. Googins (Business/Corporate); William S. Harwood (Administrative Law); David C. Hillman (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights); Keith C. Jones (Business/Corporate); James T. Kilbreth (Business Litigation); William C. Knowles (General Litigation); Alan D. MacEwan (Business/Corporate); Christopher S. McLoon (Tax); Richard G. Moon (Employment & Labor); Charles R. Oestreicher (Real Estate); James C. Palmer (Real Estate); and A. Robert Ruesch (Construction Litigation).

Boston attorneys included are James F. Coffey (Business/Corporate); Gene D. Dahmen (Family Law); Donna M. Evans (Business Litigation); George P. Field (Business Litigation); and Gail Pennington (Estate Planning & Probate).

“We are honored that so many of our lawyers were chosen for this distinct recognition,” said Verrill Dana Managing Partner David E. Warren.  “While only five percent of attorneys practicing in New England were selected, nearly 30 percent of Verrill Dana lawyers were chosen for inclusion.  They, along with their colleagues, help to make Verrill Dana one of the most respected law firms in New England, and beyond.” 



About Verrill Dana:



Verrill Dana, LLP is a full service law firm with more than 100 attorneys conducting a nationwide practice from offices in Portland, Augusta, and Kennebunk, Maine; Boston; Hartford; and Washington, DC.  To learn more, visit our website at www.verrilldana.com.



By: lplank

Brian R asked:

Alabama
Hell Yes, We Have Electricity.
Alaska
11,623 Eskimos Can’t Be Wrong!
Arizona
Yes, But It’s A Dry Heat.
Arkansas
Lituracy Ain’t Everythang.
California
By 30, Our Women Have More
Plastic Than Your Honda.
Colorado
If You Don’t Ski, Don’t Bother.
Connecticut
Like Massachusetts, only smaller.
Delaware
We Really Do Like The Chemicals In Our Water.
Florida
Ask Us About Our Grandkids
And Our Voting Skills.
Georgia
We Put The Fun In Fundamentalist Extremism.
Hawaii
Haka Tiki Mou Sha’ami Leeki Toru
(Death To Mainland Scum,Leave Your Money)
Idaho
More Than Just Potatoes…
Well, Okay, We’re Not, But The Potatoes Sure Are Real Good
Illinois
Please, Don’t Pronounce the “S”
Indiana
2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free
Iowa
We Do Amazing Things With Corn
Kansas
First Of The Rectangle States
Kentucky
Five Million People;
Fifteen Last Names
Louisiana
We’re Not ALL Drunk Cajun Wackos, But That’s Our Tourism Campaign.
Maine
We’re Really Cold, But We Have Cheap Lobster
Maryland
If You Can Dream It, We Can Tax It
Massachusetts
Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden’s And Our Senators Are More Corrupt!
Michigan
First Line Of Defense From The Canadians
Minnesota
10,000 Lakes… And 10 Zillion Mosquitoes
Mississippi
Come visit And Feel Better About Your Own State
Missouri
Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars At Work
Montana
Land Of The Big Sky, The Unabomber, Right-wing Crazies, and Honest Elections!
Nebraska
Ask About Our State Motto Contest
Nevada
Hookers and Poker!
New Hampshire
Go Away And Leave Us Alone
New Jersey
You Want A ##$%##! Motto?
I Got Yer ##$%##! Motto Right here!
New Mexico
Lizards Make Excellent Pets
New York
You Have The Right To Remain Silent,
You Have The Right To An Attorney…
And No Right To Self Defense!
North Carolina
Tobacco Is A Vegetable
North Dakota
We Really Are One Of The 50 States!
Ohio
At Least We’re Not Michigan
Oklahoma
Like The Play, But No Singing
Oregon
Spotted Owl… It’s What’s For Dinner
Pennsylvania
Cook With Coal
Rhode Island
We’re Not REALLY An Island
South Carolina
Remember The Civil War?
Well, We Didn’t Actually Surrender Yet
South Dakota
Closer Than North Dakota
Tennessee
Home of the Al Gore Invention Museum.
Texas
Se Hable Ingles
Utah
Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus
Vermont
Too liberal for the Kennedys
Virginia
Who Says Government Stiffs And Slackjaw Yokels Don’t Mix?
Washington
Our Governor can out-fraud your Governor!
West Virginia
One Big Happy Family…Really!
Wisconsin
Come Cut the Cheese!

Wyoming
Where Men Are Men… And The Sheep Are Scared
Home of Brokeback Mtn.

The District of Columbia
The Work-Free Drug Place!

kierres asked:

I am an accounting major undergrad graduating in the fall. I have a 3.2 gpa. I want to become a tax attorney but I do not know what test I should prepare for first LSAT or the to determining if I’m going to law school first or graduate school. P.S. I am not trying to be in school forever.

It’s possible to settle your IRS tax debt, but it presents a challenge. Proving you can settle your tax debt for less is a daunting experience. You have to contend with pages of IRS paperwork rife with technical terms. Settling tax debt is indeed a reality and it can be done. However, there’s a lot you need to know before you attempt to settle your IRS tax debt.

Rebuking the Lies – There are many rumors about settling IRS tax debt all over the web. While it is true that some people have settled their IRS debt for extremely low amounts, only a small percentage of people can qualify for very low IRS settlement offers. And only people who display desperate situations can have their IRS debt settled for “pennies on the dollar.”

Another misconception is that you can choose any IRS settlement amount and the IRS will approve it. It’s not that simple. In fact, it’s not simple at all. You have to submit Form 656 Offer in Compromise. You will have to detail your entire financial situation to the IRS. They will determine if the offer you send is fair or not, based on your income and assets. If your income and assets exceed the amount of your offer, your offer will be denied.

The Benefits of Settling Your Tax Debt – The first and obvious benefit of settling your IRS tax debt is saving money. IRS tax debt settlements have the potential to save you thousands of dollars. Secondly, IRS settlements quickly take care of your tax debt. When you choose to pay your IRS debt in monthly payments, penalties and interest continue to accrue on the account. But when you actually settle your IRS tax debt, the tax debt does not continue to grow. It is paid off in a “lump sum”. By comparison, paying monthly will make you feel like there’s no end to your tax debt problem.

Qualifying for IRS Settlement – Not everyone will qualify to settle their IRS tax debt. The IRS is going to weigh your finances very carefully. They need to know your gross income amount. Next they will look at the amount of money in your bank account, and the value of every single asset you own. If any of these amounts are the same or exceed your total IRS tax debt, you will not be approved for an IRS settlement.

Applying for an IRS Tax Debt Settlement – In order to “apply” for an IRS tax debt settlement, you need to file Form 656 Offer in Compromise. It will help you to include any documents supporting why you need IRS settlement. You can show them your income has dropped significantly, or that you’ve lost your assets, or anything else pertinent to your “desperate situation”.

You must double check to make sure you have filled out everything as fully as possible and signed the form. Leave nothing blank. If you make a mistake, your IRS settlement will be denied. You have to include a 20% settlement with your offer. So make sure you do it right, because the money is non-refundable. There is much riding on proper completion of Form 656 and the completeness of your supporting documents!

Getting Professional Help – You can try to fight the IRS “toe to toe” without any help. But you are not likely to succeed. There are too many laws and regulations that ordinary taxpayers simply are not aware of. So where do you start when it comes to settling your IRS tax debt? The best solution is a simple one. Consult with an IRS tax professional that will negotiate with the IRS for you. Having a tax professional on your side greatly improves your chances of winning and ultimately being approved for the IRS settlement!



By: Mansi Gupta

Taxes are based on laws. Since laws are made by human beings, they are imperfect. A good Georgia tax attorney can help you because of this innate imperfection of laws. How?

First of all, let us consider the factor of time: no man can predict what will happen in the future. New technologies and industries are developed on a regular basis. Because of this, no law can truly cover every event happening every day. A good Georgia tax attorney can help you by making use of the time factor to find loopholes in different tax laws. He or she should be creative in order to pull this off. This involves a lot of research and familiarization of history of tax laws and different factors affecting those laws. By finding certain laws that could serve you and not burden you, a good Georgia tax attorney would be able to help you solve your problems.

There is also the matter of interpretation. All of tax law can be interpreted in different ways. A good Georgia tax attorney would be able to spot any ambiguity or erroneous interpretation in tax laws to help you with your case. A good Georgia tax attorney will be able to show you a number of different ways to interpret tax law in the light of various statutes, the internal revenue code, IRS rulings and a number of other legal standards. This means that you will have a number of different solutions in your hand.

There is always the question of what is effective and what is creative. You might be able to find a Georgia tax attorney who could tell you how to solve a problem the conventional legal way. This is the “effective” Georgia tax attorney. However, there are a few who are able to “think outside the box.” These Georgia tax attorneys can look at a problem from a very unique perspective. A Georgia tax attorney who is creative can solve a problem and save you a lot of time and money in the process.

The general view of people today is that we live in a world of compromise. And they might be right. In this world today, there are no absolutes, not even taxes. A good Georgia tax attorney will be able to form a compromise between you and the IRS. Yes, you can actually settle with the IRS. Why?

Well, the IRS itself knows how complicated tax laws can be. They also know that they are capable of error. Because of this, they are willing to negotiate with any person who realizes that the tax laws are not perfect. A good Georgia tax attorney can help you by coming into agreement with the IRS and giving you a break. This of course, is only possible if you actually can prove that some sort of error has been made.

A good Georgia tax attorney will be able to help you if he or she has extensive experience in dealing with the IRS. This is because he or she would know what goes on in the minds running the agency. Through extensive experience dealing with the IRS, a Georgia tax attorney would be able to “get into their heads” and settle with them in a way that would be most beneficial for you. This is how a Georgia tax attorney can help you.

By: Jake J Saab