Tax Debt in Tampa

Tampa Tax Defense - the tax court experience

It is an experience that no person or business hopes to ever deal with.  But when the time comes that you are slapped with a frightening tax bill from the IRS after an audit, the next steps you take could dramatically affect the outcome of your financial responsibilities to the government.  Many people or business owners wrongly assume that they must simply find a way to pay the tax bill.  The fact is that there is much you can do still to fight the bill or to get it reduced, and we can help.

What to do when served with an IRS notice of deficiency

Step one: hire an experienced Tampa IRS defense lawyer for your tax defense in FL

Given the complicated and evolving local, state, and federal laws affecting your taxation law in Tampa, now is a bad time to be pennywise and pound foolish. When you receive an IRS notice of deficiency, demanding payments that you cannot afford or do not agree with, is very important to your financial future that you entrust your case to an experienced Tampa taxation lawyer who is familiar with the distinctive U.S. Tax Court system, its protocol, and the subject matter.

Joe Gonzalez, PA is one of the few Tampa tax law attorneys in the greater Tampa area with the in-depth experience and education in tax law to effectively present your case.  He understands the ins and outs of tax court and uses his knowledge to your advantage.

The Federal Tax Court option

If your IRS notice of deficiency says that you owe $50,000 or less for the tax year in question, we can help you file an appeal of your audit results with the Small Case Division of Federal Tax Court that functions with a similar, simpler procedure such as you would expect to find in small claims courts.

One lesser-known advantage of having us file a Small Case Division of federal tax court defense is that you may not even have to go to court.  Before your trial date, the IRS requests a meeting to seek a settlement.  Most small cases settle without trial and receive a reduction in the IRS taxes that the IRS notice of deficiency claimed that you owe.

Going before a Federal Tax Court judge 

When you appear in the Small Case Division of tax court, here is what to expect:

• You are called forward when it is your turn to present your case.
• The IRS comes forward with the lawyer is has assigned to argue its side of the story. 
• You tell the judge your story and show your evidence.
• The judge does not expect you to know legal procedures or jargon.
• The IRS lawyer tells the judge their side.
• The judge weighs both arguments and makes a decision.

A typical case lasts less than two hours.  Before you appear, we prepare you for the experience psychologically and pragmatically, making sure that your facts are solid, substantiated, and adequately documented.  If you need tax audit help in Tampa we can even walk you through the tax defense process in advance step-by-step to help you prepare mentally.

Defend your assets.  Save money.  Call the firm.

Tampa IRS defense law firm Joe Gonzalez, PA represents individuals and businesses in financial and tax matters, including filing for tax relief in Tampa by fighting IRS notices of deficiency and audits.  Mr. Gonzalez is one of the few lawyers experienced in litigating for Tampa tax relief before tax courts, in English or Spanish.  For more information, contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.