Segal, Cohen & Landis, P.C.
Burbank IRS Tax Attorney
Serving Burbank from our Beverly Hills office. Most matters are handled entirely by phone and video.
Burbank's editors, animators, sound engineers, gaffers, and production-company owners live on 1099 income, loan-out corporations, and aggressive Schedule C deductions - exactly the profile the IRS flags for examination, and exactly the profile California's Franchise Tax Board double-audits. When a worker-classification dispute, an unfiled payroll tax liability, or a six-figure proposed assessment lands, the cost of getting it wrong runs into real money fast. Segal, Cohen & Landis - the Beverly Hills firm that has been the nation's premier IRS tax law firm for over 33 years - represents Burbank entertainment professionals and small-business owners in audits, collections, and FTB disputes, fifteen minutes down the 134. Call before the IRS or FTB files a lien or levy; the earlier we engage, the more options you keep.
CA
BurbankCalifornia
IRS & Tax Context for Burbank
All of California →IRS Office for Burbank Taxpayers
IRS Los Angeles Campus (nearest)
300 N. Los Angeles St., Stop 7345, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 576-3140
Federal / Tax Court
U.S. Tax Court — Los Angeles Special Trial Session | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
California tax context
Tax issues affecting Burbank
Burbank sits at the operational heart of the entertainment industry - Warner Bros., Disney, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network anchor a dense ecosystem of post-production houses, animation studios, talent agencies, and freelance below-the-line crew. That concentration drives a specific tax-risk profile.
California income and residency
California imposes the highest top marginal income tax rate in the nation at 13.3% on income over roughly $1 million (including the 1% behavioral health services tax; covered wages separately face 1.3% SDI withholding in 2026 without a taxable wage cap), and the bracket structure climbs steeply well before that. Unlike most states, California taxes the income flowing through loan-out corporations and pass-through entities that entertainment professionals use, and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) - not the IRS - enforces it.
The FTB operates independently of federal authorities, runs its own audit selection, and aggressively pursues residency and source-of-income disputes; a federal RAR (Revenue Agent Report) adjustment automatically triggers FTB follow-up, meaning one IRS audit becomes two state-and-federal exposures.
Freelance creative work
Three Burbank sectors carry outsized risk. First, freelance creative and below-the-line crew - editors, animators, VFX artists, gaffers - file Schedule C with large deductions for equipment, home studios, mileage, and meals; the IRS targets these for hobby-loss challenges and substantiation audits, and the FTB mirrors every disallowance.
Production company payroll
Second, production companies and post houses face worker-classification scrutiny: California's strict ABC test under AB 5 (and the FTB's payroll enforcement) collides with federal Form SS-8 determinations, and a misclassification finding can produce back employment taxes, the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty, and EDD assessments simultaneously.
Loan-out corporations
Third, loan-out corporations and S-corps used by on-camera talent and showrunners invite reasonable-compensation audits, accountable-plan challenges, and the $800 minimum franchise tax compliance traps.
Audits and representation
IRS enforcement in the San Fernando Valley region has sharpened around high-income non-filers, cryptocurrency, and exactly the gig and entertainment income that defines Burbank - areas funded by recent enforcement budgets. Segal, Cohen & Landis is built for this. Federal tax practice before the IRS is nationwide and admission-based, not geographic, so our Beverly Hills base imposes no limit on representing Burbank clients before the IRS - and our location keeps us minutes away for California FTB, EDD, and CDTFA matters that demand a local, California-barred advocate.
Attorney Samuel Landis, Esq. (LL.M. Taxation) brings the federal and state tax expertise this market requires.
IRS Tax Services Available to Burbank Clients
We represent clients in Burbank and across the United States before the IRS, U.S. Tax Court, and state tax agencies. Common issues we resolve:
Why Burbank Taxpayers Choose Segal, Cohen & Landis
Attorney-Led, Not Sales-Led
Every case is handled directly by a licensed tax attorney — never delegated to an unenrolled preparer or case manager. You get attorney judgment from day one.
33+ Years of IRS Experience
Sam Landis, Esq. has spent over three decades navigating IRS Collection, IRS Examination, and U.S. Tax Court on behalf of individuals and businesses.
National IRS Practice
We practice before the IRS in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Your physical location doesn't limit your access to experienced IRS tax counsel.
Client Reviews
Read client feedback and visit our review sources for their current ratings and review counts.
What Our Clients Say
Read client feedback on Google and Trustpilot.
“Sam resolved a six-figure IRS levy in under a week. He communicated every step clearly and got the result we needed. I can't recommend SCL highly enough.”
Michael T. · 2024
“I had an extremely complex FBAR and Form 3520 situation. Sam understood every nuance and handled the voluntary disclosure flawlessly. Genuinely the best in the field.”
Priya R. · 2024
“After receiving an IRS audit notice I was terrified. The team at SCL walked me through everything, represented me completely, and the audit closed with no changes. Worth every penny.”
David L. · 2023
Samuel Landis, Esq. · LL.M. Taxation, Boston University · 33+ years IRS controversy practice
Frequently Asked Questions — Burbank IRS Tax Help
Should I set up a loan-out corporation as a Burbank entertainment professional?
Loan-out corporations (typically S-corps) are common in the entertainment industry to manage income, maximize retirement contributions, and handle business expenses. But they create California filing obligations, franchise taxes, and payroll requirements. SCL advises on structure, compliance, and handles audits when the IRS or FTB examines the entity.
I receive union residuals from multiple studios. Am I audit-prone?
Residual income reported on multiple 1099s, combined with business deductions for a home office or equipment, creates a higher-than-average audit risk profile. SCL defends Burbank entertainment professionals in IRS correspondence and field audits of their Schedule C and related schedules.
Can SCL help with IRS payroll tax problems for my production company?
Yes. Production companies that misclassify workers or fall behind on payroll deposits face IRS Trust Fund Recovery Penalty assessments against responsible individuals. SCL defends against these penalties and negotiates resolution of payroll tax debt for production entities of all sizes.
How quickly can you stop a wage garnishment or bank levy?
In most cases, we can issue an IRS levy release or garnishment suspension within 24–72 hours of being retained, pending IRS processing. The first step is a free consultation to assess your situation.
What is the cost of a tax attorney consultation?
We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your situation. Fee schedules vary by case type and complexity — we are transparent about fees before any engagement.
Attorney-Led IRS Representation
Ready to Resolve Your IRS Problem in Burbank?
Schedule a confidential consultation with a licensed IRS tax attorney. No sales calls, no pressure — just honest legal counsel and a clear path forward.
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Contact an attorney for advice specific to your situation.