Tax Relief Lawyers in Westminster

The term "tax relief" can refer to many different things in Westminster, 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 presumably 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 skilled 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 Westminster, Maryland

Scammers in Westminster, Maryland often claim that they can employ some special method enabling you pay the IRS less than you actually owe, or even erase your tax debt.

However, in many cases, these people have no ability or intent to help their "clients," and will simply take the money and run. In order to spot a tax relief scam, there are a few things that residents of Westminster, Maryland can look for.

There is one warning sign that virtually guarantees that the tax relief company you're dealing with intends to defraud you: if they make an unequivocal guarantee that they can lower your tax bill. While there are some legal ways to try and reduce your tax obligation, including negotiating with the IRS, there is no guarantee that they will succeed. And although the IRS does have programs to assist people who are truly unable to pay for their taxes, they are only available to very small subset of the population, and most Westminster, Maryland taxpayers aren't eligible to participate in them.

Additionally, you should be wary of anyone promising tax relief, but demands payment immediately, before they actually do anything. Many scammers in Westminster will convince their victims to pay them upfront, and then simply take the money and run. They may even make additional, unauthorized, charges to your credit card or bank account.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Westminster, Maryland 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 Westminster, Maryland tax attorney.

A competent and reputable tax attorney in Westminster, Maryland will give you objective legal advice on how to handle a tax law issue. A good 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.