Tax Relief Lawyers in Harlingen
"Tax relief" is a term commonly used to discuss a few different concepts. It often refers to any action that would reduce the tax rates, either for everyone, or for particular groups of people in Harlingen, Texas, or anywhere else.
When the term "tax relief" is used in the media, it's typically in the context of a politician, or someone running for elected office, promising that they'll reduce tax rates. Basically, "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 typically claim that they will have skilled lawyers negotiate with the IRS or Texas 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 Harlingen, Texas
Scammers in Harlingen, Texas will frequently claim, for a fee of course, that they can get you out of your obligation to pay your taxes.
But you should beware: no honest tax relief business in Harlingen, Texas will make such promises, because they know it's almost always impossible to deliver on them. Fortunately, there are some features you can look for to help you spot - and avoid - tax relief scammers.
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 advise people who are really 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 Harlingen, Texas don't qualify for them.
And if a tax relief organization demands up-front payment, this should raise a big red flag for you. Many scammers in Harlingen, whether they're promising tax relief, or anything else, will take your money, and then disappear, without even pretending to try to advise you. The worst of the worst will also take the money you agreed to pay them, and then make unauthorized charges to your credit card, or withdrawals from your bank account.
How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Harlingen, Texas Help?
If you find that you can't pay your taxes, and this is not a result of any fault or irresponsibility on your part, a tax attorney in Harlingen, Texas may well be able to advise you.
If you hire a knowledgeable Harlingen, Texas 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 sometimes 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.