Tax Relief Lawyers in St. Helena

"Tax relief" in St. Helena, 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 prospective 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 St. Helena, California

Scammers in St. Helena, California often claim that they can employ some distinct method enabling you pay the IRS less than you truly owe, or even erase your tax debt.

However, in many cases, these people have no ability or intent to advise 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 St. Helena, California can look for.

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 St. Helena, California residents will not be suitable.

And if a tax relief organization demands up-front payment, this should raise a big red flag for you. Many scammers in St. Helena, whether they're pledging tax relief, or anything else, will take your money, and then disappear, without even pretending to try to advise 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 St. Helena, California Help?

If you are in need of tax relief, or are having trouble paying taxes you owe, it can't hurt to speak with a St. Helena, California tax attorney.

A good St. Helena, 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.