Tax Relief Lawyers in Merced County

"Tax relief" in Merced County, California 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 politician or other government official uses the term "tax relief," they're mostly frequently talking about tax cuts, or some other actual or contemplated government action which would reduce the tax liability of some individuals or corporations.

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 special method to help you lower your tax liability in California. 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 Merced County, California

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

In most cases, however, these people have absolutely no legal means to truly help their "clients" ("victims" is the more accurate term), and will simply take your money and disappear. Fortunately, these scams in Merced County, California typically have a few elements that are dead giveaways, which you should always be on the look out for if you're considering hiring someone offering "tax relief."

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 situations, who are unable to pay their taxes through no fault of their own. Most Merced County, California 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 Merced County will not even pretend to try and advise you. Alternatively, they simply take the money and disappear, sometimes after making additional, and unauthorized, charges to your credit card or withdrawals from your bank account.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Merced County, California Help?

If you owe a massive amount in back taxes, and are unable to pay them, it may well be helpful to seek the advice of a Merced County, California tax attorney.

If you hire a knowledgeable Merced County, California tax lawyer, your attorney will be able to provide you with honest advice about your legal situations vis-à-vis your taxes. Fair warning: honest legal advice sometimes doesn't involve telling you what you want to hear. However, the advice of an attorney will be far more useful than anything most "tax relief" companies tell you. Plus, in the very rare event that your attorney tries to defraud you, you have much more legal recourse against them than you would have against some fly-by-night "tax relief" company.