Tax Court in Salem, Oregon

Find the right Tax Court attorney in Salem, OR

Tax Court Lawyers in Salem

Tax Courts serve the same purpose as any other court: they're there to resolve legal disagreements in a fair and orderly fashion. Tax courts are simply specialized to handle tax disputes.

At the federal level, there is the United States Tax Court, which has courthouses all over the country, containing one in or near Salem, Oregon.

The United States Tax Court handles most legal disagreements that have to deal with federal, as opposed to state, taxes. These are not courts of "general jurisdiction" (courts that hear the vast majority of civil and criminal cases). Tax courts are able to hear cases where the tax bill in dispute has not yet been paid (effectively allowing a court to rule on the validity of a tax bill before the taxpayer pays it). The courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. (called the U.S. District Courts) can only hear tax cases if the tax bill has already been paid.

Tax Court Procedure in Salem, Oregon

Any legal issue that concerns federal taxes in Salem, Oregon, or anywhere else in the U.S., can go to tax court. It's most often the case that the IRS initiates legal action against a taxpayer, alleging that they have failed to pay all of their obligated taxes, or are delinquent in some other way. The taxpayer usually has 90 days to respond, which initiates adversarial tax court proceedings. Failing to respond may result in the taxpayer forfeiting their rights to contest the allegations against them.

Tax courts in the United States are presided over by judges who are assigned by the President. Unlike most other federal judges, who serve for life, judges on the U.S. Tax Court serve 15 year terms. Nonetheless, they can serve an endless number of these terms, and if they do their jobs competently, they are almost always re-appointed when their terms are up, meaning that the vast majority of them effectively serve for life.

Federal tax court is somewhat distinct in that individuals who are not licensed attorneys in Oregon (or anywhere else) may represent taxpayers before the tax court, as long as they can pass an exam indicating that they have a good knowledge of tax law. Licensed lawyers do not need to take this exam to practice before tax court.

Typically, residents of Salem, Oregon will end up in tax court because the IRS, or another tax agency, has alleged that they have failed to pay all the taxes that they owe. In the interest of due process, the IRS will send the taxpayer a letter informing them that they owe back taxes. At this point, the taxpayer will have something like 90 days to go to Tax Court to fight these allegations, if they so desire. If you do not file a response within the allotted time, the tax bill will become final, and you will have no legal means to contest it.

Do I Need a Salem, Oregon Tax Attorney?

Federal law allows some non-lawyers to represent people before U.S. Tax Courts. Nonetheless, the tax laws are very convoluted. In fact, most tax attorneys don't practice any other area of law.

If you are going to tax court, it should be evident by now that you should seek the advice and assistance of a good Salem, Oregon tax lawyer. This is not a knock against the non-lawyers who are licensed to practice before tax court; the vast majority of them are perfectly competent. However, if a licensed attorney seriously mishandles your case, you will have a great deal of legal recourse against them, more so than with a non-attorney.

Talk to a Tax Law Attorney now!

Life in Salem

Salem, Oregon is the capital of the state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the scenic Willamette Valley, on the banks of the Willamette River. It is the third-largest city in the state of Oregon, with a population of 155,000.

Salem, OR was first settled by Europeans in 1812, where explorers established it as a trading post. In the 1840s, more permanent settlement came in the form of Christian missionaries. Shortly thereafter, Salem became the capital of the Oregon Territory, and continued to serve in this capacity when Oregon became a state in 1859.

Because it is the state capital, Salem, Oregon's economy is supported heavily by jobs created by the state government, which is the largest employer in Salem. In addition to employing all of the state elected officials in Oregon, from the governor down to state legislators, the government of Oregon, through its many agencies headquartered in Salem, employs a large number of administrative personnel, and other professionals. In particular, the state government employs many Salem, Oregon lawyers.

In Salem, there are also many lawyers in private practice. Salem, Oregon is home to Willamette University School of Law, which is part of the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette University's law school has graduated hundreds of successful Salem, Oregon lawyers throughout its long history.

If you are facing a legal issue in Salem, Oregon and need assistance, it's highly likely that you'll be able to find a Salem, Oregon attorney who can help you.

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