Tax Relief Lawyers in Sterling

The term "tax relief" can refer to numerous different things in Sterling, Illinois. But, it is usually used to refer to some action that reduces the tax liability of an individual, corporation, or a certain category of individuals.

When a politician or government official uses the term "tax relief," they are normally referring to tax cuts, which are simply a reduction in the tax rate for everybody, or certain people.

However, many people in the general public, particularly in these troubled economic times, often hear the words "tax relief" used in a totally different context. The phrase has become synonymous with businesses and individuals who claim they have some unique method to help you lower your tax liability in Illinois. 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 Sterling, Illinois

Scammers in Sterling, Illinois will commonly claim, for a fee of course, that they can get you out of your requirement to pay your taxes.

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

One of the biggest warning signs that one should look for is an absolute promise that someone can eliminate your tax debt. This is simply not a promise that anyone can honestly make. While the IRS does have programs to help people who are honestly unable to pay their back taxes, through no fault of their own, they only apply in the most extreme cases, so the vast majority of taxpayers in Sterling, Illinois don't qualify for them.

And if a tax relief organization demands up-front payment, this should raise a big red flag for you. Many scammers in Sterling, whether they're assuring 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 illegal charges to your credit card, or withdrawals from your bank account.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Sterling, Illinois Help?

If you find that you are unable to pay your taxes, through no fault of your own, you may be tempted to answer an advertisement for a "tax relief" company. Before that, you should talk with a Sterling, Illinois tax lawyer.

A qualified and reputable tax attorney in Sterling, Illinois will give you objective legal advice on how to handle a tax law issue. A seasoned 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.