TAXATION
MATTERS
At Hughes Law Office, we offer the following service
in the tax arena:
* Litigation
in State and Federal Courts
* Tax Lien Discharges and other related
Lien Problems
* IRS Disputes
* Michigan Tax Disputes
* IRS and State Collection Matters
* State Property
Tax Matters
* State Property Tax Matters
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
PROCEDURE EXPLAINED
IRS Administrative Procedure - Once a taxpayer has disagreed
with the Revenue Agent, the taxpayer can either Appeal administratively or ask
for a Notice of Deficiency. The Revenue Agent's determinations are not binding
on either the IRS or the Taxpayer. The Agent's determinations are only a starting
point. The first service Hughes Law Office will perform is to help you make a
decision whether an appeal is cost effective.
Administrative Appeals
- To Appeal or Not? It is a very important decision whether or not to appeal a
Revenue Agent's determination to the IRS Appeals Division.
There are
times when an administrative appeal may be appropriate. It may be a better tactic,
however, to file directly with the U.S. Tax Court. If a taxpayer files with the
Tax Court, the taxpayer always has the opportunity to meet with an IRS Appeals
Officer after the case is docketed and before trial.
There are times when an administrative appeal may be
appropriate. It may be a better tactic, however, to file directly with the U.S.
Tax Court. If a taxpayer files with the Tax Court, the taxpayer always has the
opportunity to meet with an IRS Appeals Officer after the case is docketed and
before trial.
We Can Help with Michigan and Local
Tax Disputes
We
are also familiar with all types of Michigan and Local Tax Disputes, including property taxes and Michigan
Income Tax. We have litigated cases before the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
We can also advise clients as to whether
their disputes should be taken to the United States Tax Court - It is often less
expensive for a client to go directly to Tax Court from a Revenue Agent's Decision.
The fee is $60.00 and the Petition is very short and simple. The advantage is
that all issues become fixed. The audit cannot be reopened unless the IRS assumes
the burden of proof. There is even a use friendly small dispute section where
tax payers can represent themselves if they so choose.
Tax lawyers know that state, federal, and even local
taxes impact your finances in ways that most people never think about. For example,
if you want to set up retirement accounts that you can eventually withdraw money
from, a tax lawyer will know how to help you do so in a timely and an efficient
manner. A tax attorney can also help you plan your charitable giving and gifts
to your family in a way that minimizes the tax consequences to you and to the
recipient.
If your estate planning is complex, you may need input
from a tax lawyer to make decisions about trusts and bequests as well. If you're
self-employed, you may need advice from a tax attorney on how to plan your self-employment
tax payments. For example, did you know you'll pay a higher rate than that deducted
from your paychecks as an employee, and you may have to make payments quarterly
instead of annually? And if you have other employees in your business-even one-then
you may need advice on withholding taxes and the employer contribution. A tax
lawyer can help you understand those processes and make sure that you don't incur
any penalties.
Even sales tax can be complex when you're purchasing
high-ticket items, particularly if you purchase them outside the state where you
reside, and may impact your income taxes as well.
If
you have tax issues, whether those issues relate to income taxes, employment taxes,
retirement accounts, estate taxes, or sales tax, get advice from a tax lawyer.
Tax filings and payments are subject to strict deadlines, and in many cases interest
and penalties apply if those deadlines are missed. Get the information you need
from a tax attorney before problems arise.
