Tax law is divided into both federal tax and state tax. While some states do not have an income tax, all residents and citizens of the United States are subject to federal income tax.
The more assets that an individual owns, unfortunately, the more complicated the tax law becomes. If you are facing a tax audit or want to appeal a tax decision, you have the right to do so with the help of an attorney.
Our Florida Taxation Attorneys can explain in detail the complex state and federal tax laws that affect you and your case. Take charge of your IRS or Florida Department of Revenue tax issues by working with the attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns.
Types of Tax Cases We Handle
The tax attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns provide taxation help and representation for:
- IRS / Federal Income Tax Cases
- Estate & Gift Tax Cases
- State Statutes Dealing with Taxation
- Corporate Taxation
- International Taxation
- Florida Department of Revenue Cases
We will set up a consultation with you to discuss your case, analyze your situation, and figure out how we can help.
Understanding Your IRS Audit
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sometimes audits taxpayers to check the veracity of submitted tax information. Even if you know that your records are accurate, you still need to take an IRS audit seriously. Some of the reasons why the IRS might select you for a tax audit include:
- A perceived problem with your submitted paperwork
- A random selection for an audit based on computer algorithms
- You have had business dealings with someone who has been recently audited
Getting audited by either the IRS or the Florida Department of Revenue does not necessarily mean you have committed a crime or have any problems with your tax paperwork. However, an IRS and Florida Department of Revenue tax attorney can help protect your rights during the audit. Remember: the IRS agent ultimately looks out for the interests of the IRS, so it’s good to have legal help on your side.
Potential Penalties for Federal Tax Issues
At the end of an audit, the IRS agent will make a determination regarding your tax paperwork. This could go one of three ways:
- The agent finds no issues with your paperwork.
- The agent makes a change in the paperwork that you agree with.
- The agent makes a change that you disagree with.
If you disagree with the agent’s findings, you can file an appeal with help from the IRS tax lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns. It is especially important to dispute findings that hold you in breach of federal tax law. Potential penalties for tax evasion or fraud include:
- Up to five years in prison
- Up to $100,000 in fines
Most of us don’t have that kind of money, and no one wants to spend time in prison. Furthermore, no one wants to pay fines that they do not actually owe. Having an attorney on your side can help preserve your rights and take some of the weight off your shoulders throughout the process.
The Process of Appealing with the IRS
Appealing a tax decision involves its own set of procedures and deadlines. Usually, a disagreement can be settled without having to go to court. If you do not want to appeal with the IRS, you will have to take your case to tax court.
First, the IRS Examination or Collection office will consider your protest and attempt to resolve the dispute before moving it along to the Office of Appeals. You have the right to legal representation when appearing before the Office of Appeals.
Small Case Requests v.s. a Formal Written Protest
You can file either a small case request or a formal written protest, depending on your specific situation. If the additional tax and proposed penalties are no more than $25,000, you can file a small case request.
Do not send the letter directly to the Office of Appeals. Mail it to the IRS address specified in your letter. The letter will indicate your allotted time to file an appeal, which is generally 30 days.
Florida Tax Issues
The Florida Department of Revenue is responsible for handling tax collection throughout the state. You might be flagged for an audit by the state for the same reasons that might trigger an IRS audit. Additionally, the state may decide to audit your state tax paperwork after finding out you were audited by the IRS.
Having this kind of “double whammy” can be confusing, time-consuming, and emotionally stressful. This is especially true if you are not used to working with complex tax paperwork and sifting through the relevant legislation. Instead, you can turn to the Florida Department of Revenue tax lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns for help.
How Our Tax Lawyers can Help
If you are selected for an audit by the state, you will need to provide as much documentation of your expenses and income as possible. This includes items like:
- State and federal tax returns
- General ledgers for your business
- Information on your purchases and sales
- Evidence of cash receipts
- Records of property ownership
Our tax lawyers can help you find and gather the appropriate documents to make your tax audit(s) as smooth as possible. Our attorneys can ensure that your rights are respected and that all applicable federal and state laws are applied fairly to your case.
Work with an IRS & Florida Department of Revenue Tax Attorney Today
If you are up for an audit or accused of tax misconduct, the attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns can help protect your rights and defend your case. We can discuss your specific circumstances during a consultation to help you determine the best path forward.
Call our office today or enter your information on our online contact page, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
