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Best Tax Attorney Near Me

People often ask, “how do I find the best tax attorney near me?” Of course, what they really mean is “how do I find the best tax attorney near me with the skill set necessary to take care of my unique problem or issue?”  Well, after 31 years of tax practice, first as an accountant and later, as a tax attorney, I think I finally have the answer.

A Combination of Qualities is Key

What I’ve learned is that the best tax attorney near me is not always the one nearest to me.  Relatively speaking, geographic distance is often the least important factor in the search.  Rather, qualities like experience, specialization, proven reputation, good standing and, of course, pricing, almost always trump distance and face-to-face access.

Experience Matters

Tax returns and the U.S. Tax Code are notoriously complicated.  At almost 75,000 pages, long, Americans are rightfully frustrated with the tax code, which is why the best tax attorney near me needs to be experienced.  Ideally, that person should have at least ten years’ experience practicing tax law and, significantly, also have professional licenses to practice as both a tax attorney and a certified public accountant. In other words, he or she should bring the best of both worlds to bear on behalf of a client.

Specialization

Did I mention the length of the tax code?  Well, those almost 75,000 pages of law means that no one individual can be sufficiently well versed in all of its nuances and, therefore, able to practice in all of areas of tax law.  Rather, when choosing the best tax attorney near me, I would focus on the exact nature of the tax matter at hand.  Does the tax attorney handle back tax matters for individual or business taxpayers, or both?  Does the tax attorney handle both IRS and New York State Taxation and Finance matters?  What about foreign bank account disclosures and the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program?  You get the idea, I’m sure.  Before you hire someone to address your unique situation, know what the tax attorney can and cannot do for you.

Proven Reputation

Not all tax attorneys are created equal.  As with any other professionals you’re considering hiring, look to see whether they’re affiliated with the Better Business Bureau and, importantly, how they’re rated by the BBB.  Or look on Google+ and similar sites and check the reviews they’ve received from prior clients and their colleagues.

Good Standing

As attorneys, tax attorneys are licensed to practice law by in a particular state and often, by the Federal District Court in their region and the U.S. Tax Court.  They’re also subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service and the state taxing department, such as the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.  Significantly, tax attorneys are required to be in good standing to continue to practice law in each of these venues.

Pricing

There’s no denying that pricing is always a factor, so that always needs to be taken into consideration when I look for the best tax attorney near me.  When looking though, I would consider both the complexity of the tax matter at hand and, often overlooked, the fact that Upstate New York tax attorneys are often dramatically less expensive than New York City tax attorneys.

The Comfort of Face-to-Face Meetings

Despite everything written so far, there’s no denying that sometimes, the best tax attorney near me is, well, near me.  The tax problems we face are usually deeply personal to us, and often very disturbing.  It’s natural for us to want a tax attorney that’s empathetic and takes our problems personally as well.  As such, there’s no denying that a face-to-face meeting with a tax attorney is something that many of us seek when confronted by an IRS or New York State Taxation representative.

Give Us a Call

We at Mackay, Caswell & Callahan, P.C. believe we possess the combination of qualities that make good New York tax attorneys.  With over 30 years of tax experience, a proven reputation, excellent pricing and offices in Albany, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Watertown, we have a New York tax attorney near you that can help you too.

by Joseph M. Callahan, Esq.