Navigating Tax Troubles: Why a Los Angeles Tax Attorney is Your Best Bet

Why You Need A Tax Debt Attorney In Los Angeles

Searching for a tax debt attorney Los Angeles is the first step toward relief if you’re facing IRS back taxes, state tax problems, or aggressive collection actions. The stress of threatening notices from the IRS or California Franchise Tax Board can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face these challenges alone.

A Los Angeles tax attorney can provide immediate help by:

• Stopping wage garnishments and bank levies, often within 24-48 hours
• Negotiating Offers in Compromise to settle tax debt for less than you owe
• Representing you in IRS audits and handling all communication
• Removing tax liens to protect your property and credit
• Resolving unfiled tax returns and negotiating penalty abatement
• Defending against criminal tax investigations with attorney-client privilege
• Handling California state tax issues with the FTB, CDTFA, and EDD

The path to resolution is clearer than you think. Tax attorneys in Los Angeles specialize in both federal and California state tax law, understanding how to negotiate the best possible outcome for your situation. Whether it’s personal income tax, business payroll issues, or accusations of tax fraud, the right attorney makes the difference between financial ruin and a manageable solution.

I’m Attorney Samuel Landis, Managing Partner at Segal, Cohen & Landis. With over 15 years of experience, my team and I have helped thousands of clients across California resolve complex federal and state tax problems, protecting their assets and their future.

When To Hire A Tax Attorney: Recognizing The Red Flags

That certified letter from the IRS, the realization you haven’t filed returns in years, or a call from your bank about a frozen account—these are urgent red flags. They signal it’s time to hire a tax debt attorney Los Angeles can provide.

Key signs you need professional help include:

• A large tax debt in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars that you can’t pay. This debt grows daily with penalties and interest.
• Official notices from the IRS or California Franchise Tax Board. A Notice of Intent to Levy or Notice of Deficiency means the agencies are escalating from asking to taking.
• Facing an IRS audit. Whether it’s a correspondence audit or an invasive field audit, you need an expert to steer the process and protect your rights. The IRS closed nearly 600,000 audits in FY 2023, resulting in billions in additional taxes.
• Unfiled tax returns for multiple years. The IRS can file a Substitute for Return on your behalf, which will almost certainly cost you more than if you had filed yourself.
• Accusations of tax fraud or a criminal investigation. This is a serious legal threat. The IRS Criminal Investigation division has a conviction rate of nearly 80%, with most convictions leading to prison time. Attorney-client privilege is essential protection in these cases.
• Aggressive collection actions that directly impact your finances. This includes wage garnishments, where a portion of your paycheck is seized; bank levies, where your accounts are frozen and emptied; and property liens, which damage your credit and prevent you from selling or refinancing property.

If any of these situations sound familiar, you’re facing an urgent legal matter. At Segal, Cohen & Landis, we have over 33 years of experience helping people in your exact position. We understand the stress and know how to stop the collections and create a path forward. Learn more about common IRS Tax Problems we resolve daily.

The Role Of A Tax Debt Attorney Los Angeles In Resolving Your Issues

When you’re overwhelmed by tax problems, a tax debt attorney Los Angeles becomes your advocate, shield, and strategist. We stand between you and the government agencies, handling federal, state, business, and even criminal tax matters.

Tackling Federal IRS Back Taxes and Penalties

Owing the IRS is terrifying as debt grows daily with interest and penalties. We start by getting you into compliance, often by preparing unfiled tax returns. Once filed, we move to negotiating back taxes, using every available legal strategy. This includes pursuing penalty abatement to remove or reduce penalties if you had reasonable cause for non-payment.

When the IRS gets aggressive, we act fast. We work to release a Tax Levy on your wages or bank account, often within 24-48 hours. We also negotiate the withdrawal of a Tax Lien, which is a public claim on your property that destroys your credit. Learn more in our guide on Resolving Back Taxes: Understanding Your Options and the Importance of Tax Attorneys.

Navigating IRS Audits and Tax Litigation

You should never face an IRS audit alone. Our audit representation means you don’t have to speak to the IRS directly. We handle all communications and build a strategic defense to limit your liability. If the audit results are unfavorable, we can challenge them before the IRS Office of Appeals, an independent body within the IRS.

If the dispute cannot be resolved administratively, we are prepared to go to Tax Court. Filing a petition requires navigating strict procedural rules against experienced IRS attorneys. We represent clients in Tax Court and other federal courts, fighting for a just outcome. Explore our IRS Audit Representation services for more details.

Resolving Complex California State Tax Problems

California’s tax agencies can be even more aggressive than the IRS. We have extensive experience dealing with:

• The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for state income and corporate taxes.
• The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for sales and use tax audits.
• The Employment Development Department (EDD) for payroll tax and worker classification issues.

We also defend clients in complex residency audits, where the FTB claims you owe California taxes even if you’ve moved out of state. Learn about our California State Tax Resolution Services.

Handling Business and Criminal Tax Investigations

Business owners face unique risks. Payroll tax debt (Form 941) is especially dangerous because the IRS can hold business owners personally liable through the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP). We defend against these personal assessments and negotiate resolutions to protect you.

The most serious cases involve criminal tax investigations. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division has a high conviction rate, and penalties often include prison time. This is where attorney-client privilege is critical. Your communications with us are protected, a safeguard not available with CPAs or Enrolled Agents. When your freedom is at stake, you need an attorney. For more on business tax issues, see our guide on Business Tax Attorneys in Los Angeles: Key Insights.

Key Tax Relief Solutions Your Attorney Can Secure

Even if you feel like you’re drowning in tax debt, you have options. A skilled tax debt attorney Los Angeles can help you access powerful relief programs through the IRS Fresh Start Program and state initiatives. These are real solutions that can lead to financial freedom.

Understanding the Offer in Compromise (OIC)

An Offer in Compromise (OIC) allows qualified taxpayers to resolve their tax liability for less than the full amount owed. It’s a complex negotiation based on the IRS’s assessment of your ability to pay. The most common path is Doubt as to Collectibility, where we demonstrate that you cannot afford to pay the full debt now or in the foreseeable future. A less common path, Doubt as to Liability, argues that you don’t actually owe the tax in the first place.

Preparing an OIC application (Form 656 and Form 433-A) is like building a legal case. It requires meticulous financial documentation to prove your eligibility. With an acceptance rate around 30-40%, expert representation is crucial to present your case in the most compelling way and improve your chances of success. For more information, read our guide on What to do if you owe the IRS but can’t pay.

Other Powerful Tax Resolution Options

An OIC isn’t the only solution. Depending on your situation, other options may be more suitable:

• Installment Agreements: These allow you to pay your debt over time in manageable monthly payments, typically up to 72 months. This stops aggressive collection actions while you get back on track.
• Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status: If paying your taxes would cause significant financial hardship, we can ask the IRS to place your account in CNC status. This temporarily halts all collection efforts, giving you critical breathing room.
• Penalty Abatement: We can request that the IRS remove penalties, which can be up to 25% of your original debt. This can be granted for reasonable cause (e.g., serious illness) or through the First-Time Abatement program if you have a clean compliance history.
• Innocent Spouse Relief: This protects you from tax debt created by your spouse or ex-spouse on a joint return without your knowledge. We can help you prove you shouldn’t be held accountable.

Often, the best strategy combines several of these solutions. Our experience allows us to tailor an approach specific to your needs. Explore our guide on Essential Los Angeles Tax Relief Options for Economic Relief to learn more.

Choosing The Right Professional: Attorney vs. CPA vs. Enrolled Agent

When facing tax trouble, you’ll find tax attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents. While all work with taxes, they have different qualifications and scopes of practice. Understanding these differences is crucial for resolving serious tax issues.

A tax attorney holds a law degree, is licensed by the State Bar, and often has advanced degrees like an LL.M. in Taxation. This gives them the broadest scope of practice, from tax planning to criminal defense.

What truly sets a tax debt attorney Los Angeles apart is the ability to provide legal representation in court and the protection of attorney-client privilege. Only an attorney can represent you in Tax Court or federal court. Furthermore, your conversations with an attorney are confidential and cannot be used against you, which is vital in sensitive cases.

CPAs are licensed accountants who excel at tax preparation and financial accounting. They can represent you before the IRS in audits and appeals, but they cannot go to court and do not offer attorney-client privilege.

Enrolled Agents (EAs) are licensed by the IRS and specialize in federal tax matters. Like CPAs, they can prepare returns and represent clients in IRS administrative proceedings, but their authority does not extend to court, and they lack attorney-client privilege.

For routine tax filing, a CPA or EA may be sufficient. However, when the stakes are high, the choice is clear. If you face aggressive collections, potential criminal implications, or a case that might go to Tax Court, you need the legal authority and protection that only a tax attorney can provide. At Segal, Cohen & Landis, we provide the comprehensive expertise required for complex tax disputes.

How To Hire The Best Tax Attorney In Los Angeles

Choosing the right tax debt attorney Los Angeles is a critical step in resolving your tax problems. You need an advocate with proven expertise in both federal and California state tax law.

Qualifications to Look for in a Tax debt attorney Los Angeles

Look beyond flashy ads and focus on credentials. A qualified attorney should have:

• A valid State Bar license in California.
• Advanced education, such as an LL.M. in Taxation, or certification as a Certified Taxation Law Specialist.
• A proven track record of resolving cases similar to yours. At Segal, Cohen & Landis, we have over 33 years of experience and have helped more than 25,000 clients.
• Positive client testimonials that speak to their expertise and service.

Take time to Review attorney credentials before making a decision. For more guidance, see How to Find Tax Attorney Los Angeles.

The Hiring Process and Associated Costs for a Tax debt attorney Los Angeles

Most reputable firms offer a free consultation to discuss your case. During this meeting, the attorney will conduct a case investigation to understand your situation and outline a potential strategy.

Regarding costs, fee structures vary. Simple cases may have a flat fee, while complex matters like litigation are typically billed at an hourly rate. We provide a clear retainer agreement outlining all costs upfront, so there are no surprises. While there is an upfront cost, the potential savings from reduced tax debt, penalty removal, and protection from collections often provide a significant return on investment. For more details, see Average Costs of Hiring a Tax Attorney in Los Angeles.

Benefits of a Local Los Angeles Attorney

Choosing a local attorney offers significant advantages. A local tax debt attorney Los Angeles has familiarity with local courts and established relationships with personnel at local IRS offices. They also possess deep expertise in navigating California’s specific tax agencies, including the FTB, CDTFA, and EDD. Finally, in-person meetings build trust and ensure clear communication when discussing sensitive financial matters. This local perspective strengthens every case we handle. Learn more at Los Angeles Tax Laws: What You Need to Know About IRS Representation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Tax Attorneys

How much does a tax attorney cost in Los Angeles?

The cost of a tax debt attorney Los Angeles varies based on the complexity of your case. Straightforward services, like setting up an installment agreement, may be offered for a flat fee. More complex matters, such as audits or litigation, are typically billed hourly. Most reputable firms, including Segal, Cohen & Landis, offer a free initial consultation to assess your situation and provide a clear cost estimate.

While legal fees are an investment, they often pay for themselves by reducing tax debt, eliminating penalties, and stopping costly collection actions. We provide full transparency on fees in writing before any work begins. For a detailed breakdown, see An Overview of Fees for Los Angeles Tax Attorneys.

Can a tax attorney really stop IRS wage garnishment?

Yes, absolutely. A tax attorney can often stop an IRS wage garnishment quickly, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours. When you hire us, we immediately contact the IRS to negotiate a release. This may involve setting up an alternative payment plan or demonstrating that the garnishment is causing undue financial hardship. The same applies to bank levies. The key is to act fast as soon as you receive a notice of intent to levy. The sooner we intervene, the faster we can protect your income and assets. For more information, visit Tax Debt Relief: Understanding Your Options and the Role of a Payroll Tax Attorney.

How long does it take to resolve a tax debt case?

The timeline depends entirely on your case’s complexity. A simple installment agreement might be resolved in a few weeks. However, more complex solutions like an Offer in Compromise can take several months due to extensive IRS review and negotiation. Cases that proceed to the IRS Office of Appeals or Tax Court can take a year or longer.

A tax debt attorney Los Angeles keeps your case moving by managing deadlines, submitting documentation correctly, and following up with tax agencies. At Segal, Cohen & Landis, our 33+ years of experience have taught us how to expedite the process wherever possible, and we keep you informed every step of the way.

Conclusion

Tax debt doesn’t have to control your life. The stress of threatening notices, wage garnishments, and tax liens can be resolved with the right professional help. A skilled tax debt attorney Los Angeles provides strategy, experience, and a clear path forward, even in situations that feel impossible.

Relief options like Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, and penalty abatement are real solutions we secure for clients facing financial hardship. What sets a tax attorney apart is our ability to act quickly to stop wage garnishments and bank levies, often within 24-48 hours. We handle all communication with tax authorities and provide the critical protection of attorney-client privilege, a safeguard others cannot offer.

Our local expertise in Los Angeles means we understand the local courts, California state tax agencies (FTB, CDTFA), and local IRS offices. With over 33 years of experience and more than 25,000 satisfied clients, the team at Segal, Cohen & Landis has guided countless individuals and businesses from financial distress to stability.

The hardest step is often the first one. Don’t let another day pass under this burden. Tax problems rarely fix themselves, but they can be resolved with experienced legal guidance.

Your path to peace of mind starts here. Find a local tax attorney to resolve your tax problems today.

Connect with us:

• Segal, Cohen & Landis on Facebook
• Segal, Cohen & Landis on Instagram
• Segal, Cohen & Landis on LinkedIn
• Segal, Cohen & Landis on YouTube