Taxes. They are something nobody wants to pay for and, sometimes, it ends up in a dispute.

In 2021, there were 659,003 audits conducted in the United States.

This is one of the biggest examples of a situation where you need a tax attorney. If you find yourself in this situation or any other common tax issues, it is good to have a tax lawyer by your side.

But, how do you choose a tax attorney? What are the biggest factors that you should consider?

This is your guide.

Experience

The first thing that you should consider is what type of experience your potential tax attorney has. Do not be afraid to ask tough questions to make sure that this attorney has the proper experience for your case.

How many years have they worked in tax law? What kind of tax cases do they normally deal with? Have they ever gone up against the IRS before?

The last one in particular is a big one. With tax audits especially, you are taking on the IRS, so it is important to have a strong and experienced ally by your side.

Location

The next factor that you need to consider is your location. The main reason for this is that when it comes to taxes, different states have different tax laws. If you are living in a city that has city taxes, this can also be a factor for you.

For example, say you came from a small town in upstate New York and then moved to New York City for work. If you run into a tax audit, your first instinct may be to use a lawyer that you already know back home.

You might figure that they work in the state of New York so they can help you here. The problem here is that not only do they have to know New York state tax law, but they also would have to know New York City tax law in this situation.

Here, it would be best to hire a lawyer that practices in New York City. Consider your lawyer’s location before hiring someone.

Price

Like everything else in life, price is going to be a factor in which lawyer you ultimately end up hiring. The best thing to do in this situation is to be upfront about it and ask them during your first meeting what their fee is.

In this situation, a lawyer will likely ask for an hourly fee. Then, you need to start comparing attorney fees.

Do not be afraid to do some shopping around to find a fee that you are comfortable with.

With this, it is best to set a budget in advance and stick to it.

Choose a Tax Attorney

Now that you are aware of three of the biggest factors when it comes time to choose a tax attorney, you can go out and do it. Remember to set a budget, consider location, and ask about experience.

For more relevant information, see our Law section.