Segal, Cohen & Landis, P.C.
Chicago IRS Tax Attorney
Serving Chicago from our Beverly Hills office. Most matters are handled entirely by phone and video.
Chicago taxpayers face a layered enforcement environment: federal IRS collection, Illinois Department of Revenue coordination, and Chicago city tax obligations can all escalate at the same time. Whether you received a federal audit notice, face a wage garnishment or bank levy, have unpaid payroll taxes, or hold unreported foreign accounts, Segal, Cohen & Landis provides attorney-led IRS representation for Chicago and Illinois clients from our Beverly Hills office — all work handled remotely by phone and video.
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IRS Tax Services Available to Chicago Clients
We represent clients in Chicago and across the United States before the IRS, U.S. Tax Court, and state tax agencies. Common issues we resolve:
Why Chicago 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
From Our Blog
The Complete Chicago IRS Tax Attorney Guide
In-depth overview of IRS issues, local offices, and tax landscape specific to Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions — Chicago IRS Tax Help
How does Illinois state tax enforcement coordinate with the IRS for Chicago taxpayers?
Illinois's Department of Revenue participates in the federal-state data sharing program — when the IRS audits a Chicago taxpayer and makes an adjustment, IDOR automatically issues a state deficiency notice for the same tax year. This means a Chicago taxpayer who settles an IRS audit typically receives an Illinois state bill within 12–18 months. Worse, the IRS and IDOR can impose simultaneous federal and state tax liens and levies. SCL coordinates both federal IRS resolution and state tax defense to prevent compounding liability.
What are the most common IRS issues for Chicago commodities traders and financial industry professionals?
Chicago's CME Group and financial sector create unique IRS audit issues: Section 1256 contract reporting (60/40 capital gains treatment for futures), wash sale rules for options traders, and mark-to-market elections for trader status. Hedge fund and private equity professionals in the Chicago Loop face K-1 income from fund partnerships, carried interest classification, and deferred compensation plan reporting. These are among the most technically complex areas of federal tax law — SCL has experience navigating financial industry tax controversies.
Does Segal, Cohen & Landis handle FBAR cases for Chicago's international communities?
Yes. Chicago has large Chinese-American, Korean-American, Polish, and Mexican communities with foreign financial accounts. FBAR (FinCEN 114) must be filed annually for accounts exceeding $10,000 at any point in the year. Unreported foreign accounts carry penalties of $10,000–$100,000+ per year for non-willful violations, and potentially 50% of account value for willful violations. SCL handles FBAR voluntary disclosure, streamlined filing, and penalty abatement for Chicago-area clients.
Can SCL help Chicago restaurant, construction, or staffing business owners with payroll tax problems?
Yes. These are among the most common IRS collection cases in Chicago. Unpaid payroll taxes (Form 941) and trust fund penalty assessments (100% penalty assessed personally against responsible parties) can follow business owners even after the business closes. SCL represents Chicago business owners in payroll tax negotiation, installment agreements, trust fund penalty defense, and offer in compromise proceedings before the IRS.
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 Chicago?
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.