Tax Relief Lawyers in Portola Valley

"Tax relief" in Portola Valley, 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 commonly talking about tax cuts, or some other actual or recommended 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 distinct 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 Portola Valley, California

Scammers in Portola Valley, California will commonly claim, for a fee of course, that they can get you out of your obligation to pay your taxes.

However, in many cases, these people have no ability or intent to assist their "clients," and will simply take the money and run. In order to spot a tax relief scam, there are a few things that residents of Portola Valley, California can look for.

Probably the strongest indication that a tax relief organization is a scam is a guarantee that they can deliver a particular result. If anyone makes an indisputable promise that they can excuse your tax debt, they are lying to you, plain and simple. This is because it is impossible to honestly make such a pledge. The fact is, most people are not qualified for any IRS programs that let some taxpayers reduce their tax liability. This goes for most people in Portola Valley, California, as well.

Furthermore, any demand for upfront payment, before any actual services are rendered, is another warning sign that you may be dealing with a fraudster. This is because many tax scammers in Portola Valley will simply take whatever money you give them, and drop off the face of the Earth (figuratively, unfortunately), without doing anything to help you, or even pretending to. Adding insult to injury, if you pay them with a credit card, they may well make additional unapproved charges to it.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Portola Valley, California Help?

If you find that you can't pay your taxes, and this is not a result of any fault or irresponsibility on your part, a tax attorney in Portola Valley, California may well be able to assist you.

Your tax lawyer in Portola Valley, California will be able to give you real, useful advice about your tax situation. Just be prepared: your tax attorney will give you honest advice, whether or not that's what you want to hear. Additionally, in the unlikely event that a licensed tax attorney defrauds you (or attempts to defraud you), you will have considerable legal recourse against that attorney through your state bar association.