Tax Relief Lawyers in Phenix City

"Tax relief" in Phenix City, Alabama can refer to a wide range of subjects. However, it almost always refers to lowering the tax liability, either of an individual, or a group of people.

When a government official or politician talks about "tax relief," they are typically talking about a tax cut, which is a reduction in a particular tax rate.

However, many people in the general public, especially in these troubled economic times, often hear the words "tax relief" used in a completely different context. The phrase has become synonymous with businesses and individuals who claim they have some distinct method to help you lower your tax liability in Alabama. While some of these offers are legitimate, many of them are scams, and if you hire them, you'll end up in a worse position than you were before.

Tax Relief Scams in Phenix City, Alabama

It is pretty common for scammers in Phenix City, Alabama to claim that, for a relatively small fee, they will help you get out of paying all of your taxes.

In the majority of cases, however, tax relief scammers in Phenix City, Alabama have no actual ability to reduce your legal liability to pay your taxes. However, these scams also have several common factors which tend to be dead giveaways of their fraudulent nature, making them fairly easy to avoid if you are extremely vigilant.

One of the strongest indications that you're dealing with a scammer is if they guarantee that they can deliver a particular result. When it comes to negotiating with the IRS or state tax authorities, there are simply no guarantees, and a skilled and ethical tax relief professional will know this, and tell you as much. The unfortunate fact is that, while the IRS does have programs authorizing people to negotiate a lower tax bill, they only apply to people in extreme examples, who are unable to pay their taxes through no fault of their own. Most Phenix City, Alabama residents will not be suitable.

Another red flag to look for is a demand of a large up-front payment. Many tax relief scammers in Phenix City will not even pretend to try and advise you. Alternatively, they simply take the money and disappear, sometimes after making additional, and unapproved, charges to your credit card or withdrawals from your bank account.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Phenix City, Alabama Help?

If you find that you are unable to pay your taxes, through no fault of your own, you may be tempted to answer an advertisement for a "tax relief" company. Before that, you should speak with a Phenix City, Alabama tax lawyer.

A skilled and reputable tax attorney in Phenix City, Alabama will give you objective legal advice on how to handle a tax law issue. A knowledgeable tax attorney delivering honest advice, however, will tell you the truth, which may not necessarily be what you want to hear. The upside, of course, is that the information they're giving you is actually useful, as opposed to the "advice" given to you by a tax relief scammer, which, if followed, would put you in a worse position than you were before. Plus, you will have a good deal of legal recourse against a tax attorney, in the unlikely event that a licensed attorney defrauds you.