Don’t let tax problems pour down on you in the Emerald City. As a taxpayer or business owner, issues like tax bills, audits, or unfiled returns are always looming. If you’ve fallen behind on tax preparation or you need assistance with other tax-related matters, a Seattle tax attorney can help you determine your options.

IRS Audit Representation

If you’ve received an audit notice from the IRS, you’re probably wondering what to do next. The good news is that many audits are simple inquiries that only ask for minor clarification. However, you are looking at the potential for an extensive, lengthy audit that will require an auditor to cover your financial records going back several years. While you may not believe you’re guilty of any wrongdoing, you may still be responsible for a tax bill and penalties if you failed to pay all taxes owed for any reason. A tax lawyer in Seattle will help you explore tax relief solutions that include everything from an Installment Agreement (IA) to debt forgiveness.

Washington Employment Tax Audit Representation

If you’re an employer in Seattle, payroll and employment tax audits are always looming. Typically, all it takes to trigger an audit is one employee filing for unemployment benefits using a different employment status than what you have on file. These audits are also sometimes initiated at random. A tax lawyer in Seattle can help you navigate this type of audit using your own records to back up your claims.

Washington Department of Revenue Audit Representation

If you’re facing an audit in Seattle, prepare to comply with some pretty extensive demands. The process typically covers income, deductions, and purchases. During a business tax audit, Washington auditors will look at the following:

• Business and occupation tax
• Retail sales tax
• Use tax
• Public utility tax

In most cases, Washington’s audit calendar goes back four years. The purpose of an audit is to correct tax reporting. While you may not have intentionally avoided taxes, any errors identified during the audit could result in a higher tax bill.

International Tax Attorneys in Seattle, Washington

If it’s been a while since you reviewed tax laws for foreign assets, it’s time to bring in a Seattle tax lawyer to help you get current with your obligations. Sitting down with a tax attorney in Seattle to go over all held accounts and assets in foreign countries is a good way to ensure that you’re taking advantage of all foreign tax credits. In many cases, individuals and businesses find ways to reduce double tax burdens.

Seattle, Washington, Criminal Tax Defense Attorneys Handling Tax Evasion Charges

One of the most serious consequences of not filing or paying state taxes is a criminal charge. Unlike a simple audit, this is not something to handle on your own without the help of a tax lawyer in Seattle. In many cases, complying with the IRS or Department of Revenue early on can help you to avoid the most serious repercussions of unpaid taxes. A tax lawyer in Seattle is there to protect you from criminal charges stemming from evasion, fraud, unpaid taxes, and falsified returns.

Audit and Appeals Representation in Seattle

Audit results aren’t final in Washington. If you’re unhappy with the results of an audit that you handled on your own, you can still bring in a tax attorney in Seattle to handle the appeals process. In Washington, you have 30 days from the date your audit report is mailed to submit an appeal to the Administrative Review and Hearings Division.

Payroll, Employment, and Business Tax Lawyers in Seattle

An audit or large tax bill can throw your life into a whirlwind. However, taxpayers in Washington have many resources for preventing serious penalties and consequences that can harm their personal and business finances. In all cases, complying with the IRS or Washington Department of Revenue from the start is the clearest strategy for solving the issue. At Tax Group Center, our experienced Seattle tax lawyers and CPAs have worked on audits of all sizes. The benefit of working with our team of dual-certified CPAs and tax lawyers is that we cover your tax problem from every angle to help you walk away in the best shape possible. If you have questions about a Seattle tax problem, contact Tax Group Center today for a consultation!