Tax Relief Lawyers in Benton Harbor

The term "tax relief" can refer to many different things in Benton Harbor, Michigan. 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 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.

Increasingly, however, the general public is being inundated with advertisements on the Internet, the radio, and in print, from companies offering "tax relief" to consumers who owe back taxes in amounts that will be hard or impossible to pay back. These companies claim to have some secret technique that can get Michigan residents out of paying their taxes, or at least negotiate their final tax bill down to a smaller amount. Some of these companies are legitimate, but many of them are total frauds.

Tax Relief Scams in Benton Harbor, Michigan

Scammers in Benton Harbor, Michigan will commonly claim, for a fee of course, that they can get you out of your obligation to pay your taxes.

But buyer beware: these scammers in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and elsewhere, cannot possibly deliver on their promises, and they know it. Fortunately, most tax relief scams have a few common factors that can give them away to vigilant consumers.

One of the biggest warning signs that one should look for is an unequivocal 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 Benton Harbor, Michigan don't qualify for them.

Furthermore, any demand for upfront payment, before any actual services are rendered, is another warning sign that you may be dealing with a fraudster. This is because many tax scammers in Benton Harbor will simply take whatever money you give them, and drop off the face of the Earth (figuratively, unfortunately), without doing anything to help you, or even pretending to. Adding insult to injury, if you pay them with a credit card, they may well make additional unauthorized charges to it.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Benton Harbor, Michigan Help?

If you owe a large amount in back taxes, and are unable to pay them, it may well be helpful to seek the advice of a Benton Harbor, Michigan tax attorney.

Your tax attorney in Benton Harbor, Michigan will be able to give you honest advice about your tax obligations. While they may not tell you what you want to hear, unlike a scammer, they won't steal your money or put you deeper into debt. And in the off chance that you are scammed by a licensed attorney, you have considerable legal recourse.