Tax Relief Lawyers in Lake Stevens

The term "tax relief" can mean a few different things. Occasionally, it's used to refer to action that lowers the amount of taxes that people or businesses are obliged to pay in Lake Stevens, Washington, or elsewhere.

When a politician or government official uses the term "tax relief," they are typically referring to tax cuts, which are simply a reduction in the tax rate for everybody, or certain people.

However, many people in the general public, particularly in these troubled economic times, often hear the words "tax relief" used in a totally different context. The phrase has become synonymous with businesses and individuals who claim they have some exceptional method to help you lower your tax liability in Washington. While some of these offers are legitimate, many of them are scams, and if you hire them, you'll end up in a worse position than you were before.

Tax Relief Scams in Lake Stevens, Washington

Scammers in Lake Stevens, Washington will frequently claim, for a fee of course, that they can get you out of your requirement to pay your taxes.

But you should beware: no honest tax relief business in Lake Stevens, Washington will make such promises, because they know it's almost always impossible to deliver on them. Fortunately, there are several features you can look for to help you spot - and avoid - tax relief scammers.

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 skilled and ethical tax relief professional will know this, and tell you as much. The unfortunate fact is that, while the IRS does have programs authorizing people to negotiate a reduced tax bill, they only apply to people in extreme cases, who are unable to pay their taxes through no fault of their own. Most Lake Stevens, Washington residents will not be suitable.

Additionally, 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 Lake Stevens 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 unlawful charges to it.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Lake Stevens, Washington Help?

If you are encountering trouble paying the taxes that you owe in Lake Stevens, Washington, and are seeking tax relief, you should speak with a reliable local tax attorney before you pay anyone else to help you.

A skilled and reputable tax attorney in Lake Stevens, Washington will give you objective legal advice on how to handle a tax law issue. A reliable tax attorney delivering honest advice, however, will tell you the truth, which may not necessarily be what you want to hear. The upside, of course, is that the information they're giving you is actually useful, as opposed to the "advice" given to you by a tax relief scammer, which, if followed, would put you in a worse position than you were before. Plus, you will have a good deal of legal recourse against a tax attorney, in the unlikely event that a licensed attorney defrauds you.