Tax Court in Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Find the right Tax Court attorney in Hoffman Estates, IL

Tax Court Lawyers in Hoffman Estates

Tax courts are legal forums meant to determine legal disputes that have to do with federal or state tax law.

At the federal level, there is the United States Tax Court, which has courthouses all over the country, containing one in or near Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

The United States Tax Court handles most legal disagreements that have to deal with federal, as opposed to state, taxes. These are not courts of "general jurisdiction" (courts that hear the vast majority of civil and criminal cases). Tax courts are able to hear cases where the tax bill in dispute has not yet been paid (effectively permitting a court to rule on the validity of a tax bill before the taxpayer pays it). The courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. (called the U.S. District Courts) can only hear tax cases if the tax bill has already been paid.

Tax Court Procedure in Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Tax law claims can arise out of any disagreement having to do with one's legal requirement to pay their taxes in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Most often, they occur when the IRS alleges that a taxpayer has not paid all of the taxes that they owe, and the taxpayer disagrees. The court has to resolve this dispute.

Tax courts in the United States are presided over by judges who are assigned by the President. Unlike most other federal judges, who serve for life, judges on the U.S. Tax Court serve 15 year terms. Nonetheless, they can serve an endless number of these terms, and if they do their jobs competently, they are almost always re-appointed when their terms are up, meaning that the vast majority of them effectively serve for life.

In the U.S., tax courts have some distinct features. Most interestingly, individuals who are not licensed attorneys in Illinois, or anywhere else, are, in some cases, authorized to represent clients before tax courts. Non-attorneys who practice before tax court are almost always accountants, and any non-lawyer who wants to practice before the U.S. tax court must pass a challenging written exam that tests their understanding of American tax law. Licensed attorneys, however, may practice before the tax court without taking this exam.

Normally, a Hoffman Estates, Illinois resident will end up in tax court because the IRS has determined that they have not paid all of the taxes that they owe, and has sent them a notice indicating as much. When this happens, the taxpayer has 90 days to file a claim in Tax Court contesting the IRS's allegations. If you believe that the allegations against you are untrue, and wish to fight them, it's essential that you file a claim in tax court within the allotted time period. Otherwise, you could lose your right to challenge that tax bill permanently.

Do I Need a Hoffman Estates, Illinois Tax Attorney?

Federal law authorizes some non-lawyers to represent parties in tax court. However, tax law is a fairly complex and specialized legal field. Most lawyers who practice tax law do not practice any other area of law, giving you an idea of how specialized it is.

If you find yourself in a situation where you think you'll have to go to tax court, you should consult with a reliable tax lawyer in Hoffman Estates, Illinois as soon as possible. Non-lawyers are allowed to represent you in tax court, and most of them are perfectly competent. However, there are significant advantages to having a lawyer represent you, as opposed to an accountant or other non-attorney. Primarily, lawyers are regulated by the bar association of whatever state they're licensed to practice in, and if a lawyer handles your case incompetently, you will have considerable legal recourse against them, through both the courts and the state bar

Talk to a Tax Law Attorney now!

Life in Hoffman Estates

Hoffman Estates is situated to the northwest of downtown Chicago. This Cook County city is an affluent suburb that is home to 54,000 Illinois residents. Because it's an affluent city with many attractions, many lawyers call it home. Hoffman Estates lawyers are familiar with local courts and procedures, consulting on a wide range of cases. Major industry in Hoffman Estates include the headquarters of the Sears Holdings Corporation, the ATT headquarters for the Midwest, American headquarters for Japanese machine tool manufacturer Mori Seiki, and a number of sports teams.

The Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates plays host to major indoor soccer team Chicago Storm, the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team, and Chicago Bliss lingerie football team. More recently, Heartland International Tattoo relocated to the Sears Centre. It's one of the largest music and dance festivals in the Midwest. Hoffman Estates gained prominence in the mid-1960s and early 1970s when the Centex corporation began mass producing homes on adjacent lots. The location was desirable because the Northwest Tollway opened providing direct access to Chicago's downtown businesses. Soon afterward the Woodfield Mall opened and a master planned community began construction attracting a number of corporate headquarters and tourist attractions. 

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Joel C.
Joel C.

Tax Law

Davidson, TN

Edwin L.
Edwin L.

Tax Law

Fayette, TN

Tax Defense N.
Tax Defense N.

Tax Law

Ohio, TN