Finding a tax attorney can be tricky. There are several different kinds of attorneys with various specialties and areas of expertise, so finding the right one can be difficult and intimidating. This beginner’s guide on how to find a certified tax attorney will help you navigate the process of finding and retaining an expert in this field who can answer all your questions and keep you from making costly mistakes.
Reputation is Everything
Before you can determine if you want to hire a particular tax attorney, you need some way of gauging his or her trustworthiness. You’re naturally going to consider referrals from friends and family members. This is a good place to start, but keep in mind that even personal recommendations aren’t always perfect.
A friend may have hired an attorney for one specific reason (such as helping with a divorce) that has nothing to do with your situation. It’s important to know what you’re looking for in an attorney before asking others for recommendations—otherwise, you might end up hiring someone who doesn’t fit your needs at all.
Consider Those Online Reviews
This may seem like an obvious one, but before you choose a lawyer, look them up online. You can find reviews of tax attorneys on sites like Google and other websites.
If you see several bad reviews, it’s likely not worth your time or money. A few bad reviews here and there aren’t as big of an issue – no one is perfect after all – but anything more than that may be cause for concern.
Ask About Case Studies
Make sure you ask potential attorneys about their case study success rate and what type of cases they specialize in. For example, if your case is particularly complicated, you want an attorney who will focus on that area and has a proven track record for doing so.
You should also ask about how much experience they have in general. Just because someone is certified doesn’t mean he or she has handled many similar cases in court before, so be sure to inquire about both experience and what kind of results those past clients saw.
Wait for the Right Attitude
When you hire someone, you should be paying attention to more than just their skills. You also want an attitude match.
It’s important that you feel comfortable with your tax attorney and that they have a positive approach … Read the rest