Segal, Cohen & Landis, P.C.
Los Angeles IRS Tax Attorney
Serving Los Angeles from our Beverly Hills office. Most matters are handled entirely by phone and video.
Los Angeles taxpayers rarely fight on one front: an IRS examination almost always triggers a parallel California Franchise Tax Board action, and an FTB settlement does not bind the IRS - nor does the reverse. From entertainment-industry loan-out corporations and 1099-driven gig income to the offshore accounts held across the city's Korean, Iranian, Israeli, and Chinese expat communities, LA generates one of the highest concentrations of complex federal and state tax exposure in the country. Segal, Cohen & Landis has defended Los Angeles-area taxpayers from its Beverly Hills office at 9100 Wilshire Blvd for over 33 years, combining a nationwide IRS practice with deep command of California's enforcement machinery. If you have received an IRS notice, an FTB demand, or an FBAR inquiry, the time to engage counsel is before the deadline runs, not after.
CA
Los AngelesCalifornia
IRS & Tax Context for Los Angeles
All of California →IRS Office for Los Angeles Taxpayers
IRS Los Angeles Campus
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 Los Angeles
California imposes the highest top marginal income tax rate in the nation - 13.3% on taxable income above $1 million (including the 1% behavioral health services tax; separately, covered wages are subject to 1.3% SDI withholding in 2026), a rate that dwarfs the zero-income-tax regimes of neighboring Nevada and Texas. That spread makes residency a high-stakes question, and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) audits departing Angelenos aggressively, scrutinizing where you actually live, work, and bank before it concedes a change of domicile.
Critically, the FTB runs its own audit, lien, levy, and collection apparatus entirely independent of the IRS: a federal Offer in Compromise or audit closure does not resolve a California liability, and the FTB routinely pursues balances long after the IRS case is shut.
Entertainment and local businesses
Los Angeles industry concentrations create distinct exposure. Entertainment professionals operating through loan-out corporations face IRS and FTB scrutiny over reasonable compensation, personal-versus-business deductions, and residency for touring or on-location income.
Real estate and employment taxes
The real estate and development sector - from Downtown to the Westside - draws examination of 1031 exchanges, passive activity losses, and partnership basis. And LA's enormous cash-intensive economy (restaurants, hospitality, garment district, import/export in the Port complex) is a standing target for IRS unreported-income and employment-tax cases, often paired with FTB sales and use tax referrals through CDTFA.
International reporting
Los Angeles is also ground zero for U.S. international tax enforcement. The IRS concentrates international examination agents in its Los Angeles field office, and the city's Korean, Chinese, Israeli, Iranian, and Mexican immigrant communities generate a disproportionate national share of FBAR penalty cases, Form 3520/3520-A foreign-gift-and-trust reporting failures, and PFIC issues on foreign mutual funds. Willful FBAR penalties reach the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the account balance per year - exposure that can exceed the account itself.
The IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures and Voluntary Disclosure Program remain the primary off-ramps, but eligibility and election strategy demand experienced counsel.
Representation from Beverly Hills
Because federal tax practice before the IRS, Tax Court, and Appeals is nationwide, Segal, Cohen & Landis represents taxpayers in every Los Angeles neighborhood - from Bel Air to Boyle Heights - directly from its Beverly Hills base, while bringing 33 years of FTB-specific experience that out-of-state firms simply cannot match.
International Clients
Segal, Cohen & Landis represents international clients across Los Angeles including Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Hebrew-speaking communities navigating US tax obligations.
IRS Tax Services Available to Los Angeles Clients
We represent clients in Los Angeles and across the United States before the IRS, U.S. Tax Court, and state tax agencies. Common issues we resolve:
Why Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles IRS Tax Attorney Guide
In-depth overview of IRS issues, local offices, and tax landscape specific to Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions — Los Angeles IRS Tax Help
Can the IRS and California FTB audit me at the same time?
Yes — and it happens frequently in Los Angeles. The FTB often opens an audit after receiving IRS audit results, but the two proceedings are legally independent. SCL manages both simultaneously, preventing inconsistent positions and minimizing combined liability.
I received an IRS CP2000 notice. What should I do?
A CP2000 is a proposed adjustment based on third-party information the IRS received — 1099s, W-2s, K-1s — that doesn't match your return. You have 60 days to respond. SCL reviews the underlying data, prepares a formal response, and negotiates the adjustment down where the IRS position is overstated.
Does SCL handle FBAR and international tax cases for LA clients?
Yes. Los Angeles has the highest concentration of international tax cases in the country. SCL handles FBAR, Form 3520, PFIC reporting, and IRS Voluntary Disclosure for Korean, Chinese, Israeli, Iranian, and Mexican-American clients — including representation in multiple languages.
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 Los Angeles?
Schedule a confidential consultation with a licensed IRS tax attorney. No sales calls, no pressure — just honest legal counsel and a clear path forward.
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