Blog: Tax Lawyer Advice – What to Do if You Get an IRS Letter
Every tax lawyer has seen clients panic after receiving letters from the Internal Revenue Service. That reaction is certainly understandable, but correspondence from the IRS isn’t necessarily cause for alarm.
If you get an IRS letter, don’t freak out – instead, take a deep breath and approach the situation with a clear head. Below is some must-follow advice on what to do if you find an IRS notice in your mailbox.
Read the Letter Promptly
You might be surprised how many people put off opening IRS notices – and a delay is never a good idea. Many notices are time-sensitive, and the longer you wait to respond, the more difficult it may be to reach a favorable resolution. Shoving the letter in a drawer won’t make the problem go away, and ignoring the correspondence could make your tax situation worse.
Besides, not every IRS letter is a message of doom and gloom. You might just need to confirm a Social Security number, for example, or file a certain tax form. And, you could even get notice that Uncle Sam owes you money – that tax situation is rare, but it does happen.
The bottom line? Open and read your IRS letter as soon as it arrives.
Gather Documentation
The IRS is famous for sending notices that aren’t exactly easy to understand – the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration even released a report calling for more clear and plain language in IRS notices.
So, if you read your IRS letter and don’t know how to make sense of it, you certainly aren’t alone. Don’t rake yourself over the coals – simply contact a professional tax lawyer for an interpretation.
Once you have an understanding of the tax situation involved, gather your returns and all other associated documents, such as receipts and online banking statements.
Get Help from an Experienced Tax Lawyer
Before responding to an IRS letter, reach out for professional assistance. A consultation with an experienced tax lawyer can save you a lot of grief.
The people who work at the IRS aren’t trying to make your life miserable – but you could face some serious consequences if you don’t handle the notice of your tax issue correctly. With an expert tax lawyer on your side, you’ll be able to smoothly and successfully resolve the situation.
Do you need help dealing with an IRS letter? With over a decade of experience representing northern Utah clients with a range of tax situations – including audit requests, investigations and disputes – attorney Eric Froisland can help you take on the IRS and bring your tax issues to a close. Contact the Froisland Law firm in Salt Lake City and schedule a consultation for expert tax lawyer advice today.
