Tax Relief Lawyers in La Plata

The term "tax relief" can refer to several different things in La Plata, Maryland. But, it is typically 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 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 - usually advertising on the Internet or the radio. These advertisements often 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 significant percentage of "tax relief" organizations in Maryland are scams.

Tax Relief Scams in La Plata, Maryland

It is pretty common for scammers in La Plata, Maryland to claim that, for a relatively small fee, they will help you get out of paying all of your taxes.

But you should beware: no honest tax relief business in La Plata, Maryland will make such promises, because they know it's almost always impossible to deliver on them. Thankfully, 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 competent and ethical tax relief professional will know this, and tell you as much. The unfortunate fact is that, while the IRS does have programs allowing 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 La Plata, Maryland residents will not be eligible.

And if a tax relief organization demands up-front payment, this should raise a big red flag for you. Many scammers in La Plata, whether they're pledging tax relief, or anything else, will take your money, and then disappear, without even pretending to try to help 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 La Plata, Maryland 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 speak with a La Plata, Maryland tax lawyer.

A good La Plata, Maryland 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.