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West Virginia Tax Attorney

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Taxes. The word every West Virginian or American, for that matter loves to hate. We pay taxes every day, on almost every thing. If you own a home, you pay property takes. When you make a purchase, you more than likely pay sales tax. Everyone pays federal and state taxes every year. Since we pay them so often, you'd think the general population would know all there is to know on taxes but they don't. That's why having a West Virginia tax attorney on your side can help wade through the complications related to your tax situation. We all know taxes deplete portions of our income, but do we really know what happens when there is an error or oversight when preparing taxes, or what would happen if our tax form is selected for an audit?

These hairy questions can lead to scary thoughts for many Americans, even those who faithfully pay taxes on time and strive for accuracy. It is in these situations where a qualified tax attorney can help defend you against the IRS or the West Virginia state revenue department. A good tax attorney can stop a wage garnishment, delay fines, and negotiate a settlement and payment plan that works for you.

The tax law is defined as a system of laws that describe government levies on codified economic transactions, commonly known as taxes. Tax evasion/fraud occurs when an individual or business intentionally evades paying federal, state, or local taxes through illegal means. Some of these illegal means include overstating their deductions or declaring lesser income, gains, or profits on their earnings. Tax evasion can lead to federal prosecution, meaning fines, prison time and asset forfeiture are all very real possibilities.

On the opposite side of tax evasion and fraud is tax avoidance, which is defined as a process where one has worked out their finances so they can apply the full exemptions and deductions that tax laws provide to diminish taxable income. Tax avoidance avoids the establishment of a tax liability, and is completely legal and should not be confused with tax evasion and fraud, which is a tax that is legally owed already.

Other than the IRS, other departments can also start criminal tax investigations. These include the Postal service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Federal and state tax laws are always changing and continuously complicated you may find trying to decipher such laws may seem more like reading a foreign language than a financial document; this is where a qualified attorney well-versed in the language and procedures of revenue collection comes into the picture.

If you own a small business or are self-employed, then you should review your records with a tax attorney to ensure you are meeting all your tax obligations. You may already have an accountant, but in some situations, that may not be good enough. A tax attorney can help you prepare your records for an audit and sit by you through the whole process. Even if you are being audited, you still have rights, and you need someone to protect those rights and fight for you.

When you begin your search for a tax attorney, your best bet is a personal recommendation from an attorney you know, or from a friend that has dealt with their own tax problems. You will want to research any attorney online and make sure they are members of the West Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Issues revolving around your taxes are too important to simply base your attorney selection on advertisements in the phone book; take your time and do your homework to find an attorney who best suits your situation.