Tax Relief Lawyers in Grand Rapids
The term "tax relief" can refer to numerous different things in Grand Rapids, 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 the term "tax relief" is used in the media, it's normally in the context of a politician, or someone running for elected office, assuring that they'll reduce tax rates. Essentially, "tax relief" is, in this context, another term for "tax cut."
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 normally claim that they will have experienced lawyers negotiate with the IRS or Michigan 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 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Scammers in Grand Rapids, Michigan will commonly claim, for a fee of course, that they can get you out of your requirement to pay your taxes.
In the majority of cases, however, tax relief scammers in Grand Rapids, Michigan have no actual capacity to reduce your legal liability to pay your taxes. However, these scams also have numerous common factors which tend to be dead giveaways of their fraudulent nature, making them fairly easy to avoid if you are extremely vigilant.
One of the strongest indications that you're dealing with a scammer is if they assure that they can deliver a specific result. When it comes to negotiating with the IRS or state tax authorities, there are simply no guarantees, and a qualified and ethical tax relief professional will know this, and tell you as much. The unfortunate fact is that, while the IRS does have programs permitting people to negotiate a reduced tax bill, they only apply to people in extreme instances, who are unable to pay their taxes through no fault of their own. Most Grand Rapids, Michigan residents will not be qualified.
Another red flag to look for is a demand of a large up-front payment. Many tax relief scammers in Grand Rapids will not even pretend to try and assist you. Rather, they simply take the money and disappear, sometimes after making further, and illegal, charges to your credit card or withdrawals from your bank account.
How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, Michigan tax attorney.
If you hire a seasoned Grand Rapids, Michigan tax lawyer, your attorney will be able to provide you with honest advice about your legal situations vis-Ã -vis your taxes. Fair warning: honest legal advice occasionally doesn't involve telling you what you want to hear. However, the advice of an attorney will be far more useful than anything most "tax relief" companies tell you. Plus, in the very rare event that your attorney tries to defraud you, you have much more legal recourse against them than you would have against some fly-by-night "tax relief" company.