While there are no set rules, there is one situation in which the assistance of a tax attorney or professional is necessary: any criminal tax matter. If you are being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS or are being interviewed by an IRS Special Agent, you should consider consulting with a lawyer experienced in criminal tax matters immediately.
The IRS has experienced an extraordinary criminal conviction rate through their field offices. The conviction rate for Federal tax prosecutions has never dipped below 88 percent and the IRS has the highest conviction rate of any federal law enforcement agency. In short, the IRS does exceptionally well in sending tax evaders in prison.
Examples of the types of crimes the IRS prosecutes includes tax evasion schemes involving health care fraud, estate and trust fraud, money laundering, and telemarketing fraud.
While many types of tax professionals enjoy a confidentiality privilege in various tax planning matters, only attorneys have the confidentiality privilege in criminal matters, and typically only attorneys are experienced to handle criminal tax matters.
In most other matters, whether you need the assistance of a tax attorney or professional is really a matter of discretion. However, tax law and IRS procedure can be extremely complex and well beyond the ordinary knowledge of even experienced business people.
The IRS is a massive bureaucratic organization. Like any such bureaucracy, it can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. Finally, the IRS has extraordinary collection powers far beyond those of ordinary creditors. Given this combination, the benefits you might get from the assistance of a tax professional may very well offset the costs of professional fees.
For more information on tax collection, IRS criminal investigation, IRS penalties and taxpayer assistance programs, and tax lawyers visit
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