Tax Relief Lawyers in Seal Beach

"Tax relief" in Seal Beach, 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 proposed 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 Seal Beach, California

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

But you should beware: no honest tax relief business in Seal Beach, California will make such promises, because they know it's almost always impossible to deliver on them. Luckily, there are some features you can look for to help you spot - and avoid - tax relief scammers.

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 qualified and ethical tax relief professional will know this, and tell you as much. The unfortunate fact is that, while the IRS does have programs permitting 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 Seal Beach, California residents will not be qualified.

And if a tax relief organization demands up-front payment, this should raise a big red flag for you. Many scammers in Seal Beach, whether they're pledging tax relief, or anything else, will take your money, and then disappear, without even pretending to try to assist you. The worst of the worst will also take the money you agreed to pay them, and then make unapproved charges to your credit card, or withdrawals from your bank account.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Seal Beach, California Help?

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

A good Seal Beach, California tax attorney can give you honest, unbiased legal advice that will be useful in handling any problem you have with your taxes. Of course, as you probably know, honest advice is, more often than not, the opposite of what one wants to hear, even if it is more useful than whatever puffery you'll hear from a scammer. Plus, in the extremely unlikely event that your tax attorney defrauds you, it will be much easier to seek legal action against a licensed attorney than against some scammer who probably doesn't use his or her real name.