Tax Relief Lawyers in Sanibel

"Tax relief" in Sanibel, Florida 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 you hear the term "tax relief" used by an elected official, or someone running for office, they're almost always talking about tax cuts, which would likely apply to the speaker's target audience. A tax cut is simply a reduction in the percentage of one's income (or whatever else is being taxed) that they have to pay in taxes.

But, many members of the general public, especially in recent years, associate "tax relief" with businesses or individuals who claim they can lower your tax liability - normally advertising on the Internet or the radio. These advertisements commonly claim that they have proficient lawyers and negotiators who can help you get out of your duty to pay taxes. While many of these organizations are legitimate, and are actually interested in helping their clients, a considerable percentage of "tax relief" organizations in Florida are scams.

Tax Relief Scams in Sanibel, Florida

Scammers in Sanibel, Florida 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 Sanibel, Florida 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 Sanibel, Florida residents will not be qualified.

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 Sanibel 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 Sanibel, Florida 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 Sanibel, Florida tax attorney.

A qualified and reputable tax attorney in Sanibel, Florida will give you objective legal advice on how to handle a tax law issue. A brilliant 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.