Tax Relief Lawyers in Mountlake Terrace

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

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

However, many people in the general public, especially in these troubled economic times, often hear the words "tax relief" used in a completely different context. The phrase has become synonymous with businesses and individuals who claim they have some special 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 Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Many scammers in Mountlake Terrace, Washington claim that they can completely relieve you of your obligation to pay your taxes - for a fee, of course.

In most cases, however, these people have absolutely no legal means to actually help their "clients" ("victims" is the more accurate term), and will simply take your money and disappear. Thankfully, these scams in Mountlake Terrace, Washington usually have a few elements that are dead giveaways, which you should always be on the look out for if you're considering hiring someone offering "tax relief."

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 assist people who are truly 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 Mountlake Terrace, Washington don't qualify for them.

Also, 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 Mountlake Terrace 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 unauthorized charges to it.

How Can a Tax Relief Attorney in Mountlake Terrace, Washington 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 Mountlake Terrace, Washington may well be able to help you.

Your tax attorney in Mountlake Terrace, Washington will be able to give you honest advice about your tax obligations. While they may not tell you what you want to hear, unlike a scammer, they won't steal your money or put you deeper into debt. And in the off chance that you are scammed by a licensed attorney, you have significant legal recourse.