Tax Relief Lawyers in Pittsburgh
"Tax relief" is a term typically used to discuss a few different concepts. It typically refers to any action that would reduce the tax rates, either for everyone, or for some groups of people in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else.
When a government official or politician talks about "tax relief," they are normally talking about a tax cut, which is a reduction in a specific tax rate.
But, many members of the general public, particularly in recent years, associate "tax relief" with businesses or individuals who claim they can lower your tax liability - normally advertising on the Internet or the radio. These advertisements commonly claim that they have brilliant lawyers and negotiators who can help you get out of your duty to pay taxes. While many of these organizations are valid, and are actually interested in helping their clients, a considerable percentage of "tax relief" organizations in Pennsylvania are scams.
Tax Relief Scams in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Some con-artists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania say that they have some special technique that authorizes you to reduce the amount of taxes you're legally obligated to pay, or that they can erase any tax debt that you have incurred.
However, in most cases, these people have no capacity or intent to assist 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 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 explicit guarantee that they can lower your tax bill. While there are some legal ways to try and reduce your tax requirement, including negotiating with the IRS, there is no guarantee that they will prevail. And although the IRS does have programs to help people who are absolutely unable to pay for their taxes, they are only available to very small subset of the population, and most Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania taxpayers aren't qualified to participate in them.
Furthermore, you should be wary of anyone promising tax relief, but demands payment immediately, before they really do anything. Many scammers in Pittsburgh will convince their victims to pay them upfront, and then simply take the money and run. They may even make additional, unlawful, charges to your credit card or bank account.
How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tax attorney.
Your tax lawyer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will be able to give you real, useful advice about your tax situation. Just be ready: your tax attorney will give you honest advice, whether or not that's what you want to hear. Additionally, in the unlikely event that a licensed tax attorney defrauds you (or attempts to defraud you), you will have considerable legal recourse against that attorney through your state bar association.