Tax Relief Lawyers in Douglas

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

When you hear the term "tax relief" used by an elected official, or someone running for office, they're almost exclusively talking about tax cuts, which would hypothetically 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.

However, when most people think of "tax relief," they are thinking of an individual, law firm, or corporation that claims to offer a way to get out of paying some or all of one's back taxes. They typically claim that they will have experienced lawyers negotiate with the IRS or Massachusetts tax authorities, to reduce your tax liability. While some of these businesses are legitimate, there are also many scams in this area.

Tax Relief Scams in Douglas, Massachusetts

Scammers in Douglas, Massachusetts will frequently 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 Douglas, Massachusetts will make such promises, because they know it's almost always impossible to deliver on them. Fortunately, 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 advise people who are really 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 Douglas, Massachusetts 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 Douglas, whether they're assuring 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 illegal charges to your credit card, or withdrawals from your bank account.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Douglas, Massachusetts 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 Douglas, Massachusetts tax lawyer.

A skilled and reputable tax attorney in Douglas, Massachusetts will give you objective legal advice on how to handle a tax law issue. A reliable 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.