What to Look for in a Tax Fraud Attorney

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(Newswire.net — November 22, 2019) — Tax fraud allegations are very serious and present severe and life-changing penalties. However, like with several other white-collar crimes and frauds, sentences upon conviction may be influenced by a range of aspects and potential sentencing contributions, including:  

  • Whether the at-fault party abused their public position or used a special skill 
  • Whether he or she was responsible for supervising or leading others in the commission of the fraud
  • Whether he or she obstructed justice or impeded an investigation
  • The scope of conduct
  • The monetary loss incurred by the government

Other than civil penalties, those who are convicted of crimes relating to tax under Title 26 of the US Code face 1, 3, or 5 years of imprisonment depending on the case. Sometimes, tax allegation may also lead to conspiracy charges for a conspiracy to defraud the federal government or commit tax fraud, which attracts up to 5 years imprisonment on each count. That’s why the importance of finding the right tax fraud attorney when facing tax allegations can never be overstated. But with vast options to select from, it can be daunting for an average Joe to know what to watch out for. 

In this article, we will highlight some of the primary qualities that you should be looking at when finding a tax fraud lawyer: 

Look at their specialty

There are hundreds or thousands of lawyers in the United States – but not all of them specialize in doing the same thing. Some practice family law, other criminal law and so on. The way you cannot go to a dentist for an ankle problem is the same way you cannot go to an immigration lawyer for tax issues. So, your first step should be to find a lawyer who specializes in tax fraud cases. It’s how you get the most out of the process. An easy way to go about this is by looking at their educational background. 

Look at their experience

In addition to specialization, it’s a good idea to find a lawyer with relevant experience. As you may or may not know, a lawyer can specialize in tax cases but lack the necessary expertise to get you out of the mess you are in. Whether you are facing tax evasion, false tax return information, failure to report income, or failure to file a tax return, it is vital to find a lawyer who has adequate experience to take on your case. A good way to do so is by looking at the number of years they have been in practice long with the number of cases (similar to yours) that they have handled. 

Check out their industry reputation

Don’t just take their word for it – find out what other people are saying about the lawyer in question. A good lawyer must have a good reputation. He or she should be known for their work and ability to offer satisfactory results. The best way to gauge a lawyer’s reputation is by checking out the testimonials from recent clients. And hey, don’t just focus on the positives. Also, check out the negative ones and weigh your options. Reviews from third-party platforms are also always great because they inform you of what other industry leaders make of the lawyer in question.

Communication and availability 

In most cases, you will need to keep in touch with your lawyer over a few weeks or even months. For this reason, you need to find a lawyer who returns your emails or phone calls fast. Though your tax case may be routine for him or her, it’s vital to you and should be treated as such. An excellent way to gauge the lawyer’s communication is to email them queries a few hours or days following your initial visit. If he or she takes too long to respond, it might mean they are too busy to take care of your case.

Consider their charges

The cost should be the last thing you look at after weighing a couple of options. Of course, you want a lawyer whose services you can afford. The reason we said last is that you have to ensure that the other traits are correct before focusing on the cost.