Professional Tax Representation & Negotiation

Having Professional Tax Representation Evens the Odds with the IRS

Professional Tax Representation is a powerful tool you can use to even the oddsWhen an individual taxpayer or a business owner is notified of a pending IRS tax audit, or is subject to aggressive IRS Collections actions (including bank levy or wage levy), we always recommend that Professional Tax Representation be used. Professional Tax Representation is also very powerful and stress-relieving in those cases where a taxpayer does not have the time or desire to speak with or be intimidated by the IRS on their own.

IRS Tax Audit Representation

Professional Tax Representation is a powerful tool you can use to “even the odds” and level the playing field when you need help with the all-powerful IRS. Revenue agents from the IRS can be very intimidating to the average taxpayer when on their own. When you are represented by a Tax Attorney, the IRS field agents tend to be more respectful, more reasonable and less forceful.

Whether you are completely intimidated and frightened following the receipt of an IRS audit demand, or just desirous to file back tax returns or resolve back taxes, our Tax Resolution Lawyers at Vincent W. Davis & Associates have the right knowledge and experience to assist you. We can help you prepare for an audit an even take your place as your legal representative. Similarly, we can help you amicably resolve any awful tax messes you may need help with and save you money in settlement negotiations to reduce back tax debt.

Using a Tax Attorney increases Odds for a better IRS Audit Outcome

Are you aware that the IRS actually prefers working with professional tax representatives because it makes their audit easier and helps the entire process move along more efficiently? Obtaining the services of Tax Resolution Lawyer to help you prepare for and participate in your IRS audit can significantly increase your chances of a better outcome. Most people are so petrified and stressed-out from the minute they learn of their pending audit, that they don’t realize that audits can go both ways! It is just as likely that the IRS will end up owing you money following an audit. We suggest you take a deep breath and remember that there is an optimistic view to consider. Give us a call. You have a limited window of time in which to prepare and the sooner you start, the better you’ll feel about your pending audit. A tax professional or tax attorney from our office can analyze your situation and find the best approach for a good outcome. Hiring a tax resolution lawyer will almost always result in a better outcome and save you money too.

We can work as your Adviser, or be your Legal Representative for you

If you are comfortable being “on point” against the IRS auditor, we can review your taxes and advise you as your counsel and make sure you to not stumble into many of the traps the auditors might set for you to disclose information you need not divulge. On the other hand, you can choose to hire our firm to represent and advocate for you, as your Professional Tax Representative. In that instance, we will file a “Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative’ form signed by you which authorizes our representation before the IRS on your behalf. By doing this, that will allow the following:

  • All communications about your audit are addressed to our firm.
  • Our Tax Attorney will be in direct contact with the IRS or State tax agent assigned to your audit.
  • We will research any tax issues that are likely to come up during the audit.
  • We will respond on your behalf to the IRS agent’s inquiries and requests for additional information.
  • We will meet with the IRS or State tax agent in person, in your place, when required.
  • We will passionately negotiate a settlement agreement for any taxes owed if it turns out that you end up owing more money following the audit are unable to pay those taxes at that time.
  • We will professionally address any unforeseen issues that may arise during the audit.
  • We will prepare and attend the audit relieving you of the stress and anxiety of handling it on your own.

What happens leading up to and during an IRS audit ?

During the days or weeks prior to your desk audit or field audit, the IRS may attempt to contact you by telephone or by issuing an Informational Document Request (IDR) by email or FAX. If you have determined that we will be your legal representative, they will be on notice to only talk to us. If they should contact you anyway, you should say nothing and do nothing other that refer them to us: your legal representative. If you will be handling your own audit, you might think that your are required to answer any and all questions and requests for documents by the IRS or revenue agent. You are not! Often times, the requests by the IRS are purposefully vague, or over-reaching as they try to go on a deep sea fishing expedition, in which case you have no obligation to provide answers, information, nor documents that are requested. If you are facing such a request, and are not represented, you might want to seek legal counsel to help you decide how to best proceed with issues such as this. Moreover, there are instances where producing information or documents in response to the IRS request or IDR are considered “privileged.” Some ‘privileged’ areas might revolve around: spousal privilege, confidential marital communications privilege, testimonial privilege, work-product privilege, and attorney-client privilege.

We are not suggesting you take an ‘activist-stance’ and ignore a request for information

We’re not suggesting the ignoring of an IRS agent’s request. Not at all. In fact, failing to respond to the Informational Document Request (IDR) might result in the IRS agent issuing a subpoena for records through the court; and if you were to continue to ignore the request outright, you might face civil and criminal penalties. But when agents are over-reaching or seemingly purposefully vague in their apparent fishing for information, there needs to be some clarification negotiated (and sometimes a bit of push back) in those instances where your rights are being bulldozed by an agent attempting to build a case against you for under-reporting income or over-stating expenses or deductions. Better, when confronted with broad requests for information, names, co-workers, customers, vendors, and other documentation to contact an experienced Tax Resolution Lawyer to help you devise a strategy for dealing with your audit for the best possible outcome.

Do Not Volunteer Information

Some IRS Revenue agents —just like a some veteran social workers, often have developed a jaundiced view of the public in general and taxpayers in specific. He or she may see a lying, cheating, tax cheat hiding behind every tax return that is assigned for audit. You should not think that you can be overly friendly and helpful to a fault and then everything will simply turn out okay. This is one of the pitfalls that most taxpayers don’t comprehend when undergoing an IRS tax audit. When you are asked for specific information, names, addresses, phone numbers, clients, co-workers, or other documentation by the IRS, you should only provide the specific documentation or answers that they are seeking. You should not run off and hand over a DVD of your entire QuickBooks’ data that includes the past 7 years of your life including all of your contacts, clients, etc. Providing more information only sets you up for further probing and possibly an expansion of the audit of prior years’ returns making your plight even more stressful, and potentially more costly in the end. This is another reason why you might benefit of having professional tax representation supporting you along every step of the audit process.

Were you aware that 1,000’s of IRS Agents are taking QuickBook and PeachTree software classes —and that more and more requests are for the taxpayer’s entire accounting archive data are being requested ?

Large business “taxpayers” undergoing an IRS examination are routinely represented by tax professionals, and the data being turned over in electronic format does not contain extraneous information unrelated to the examination area being looked at. In sharp contrast, individuals, professionals and small-business taxpayers who use accounting software such as QuickBooks, Peachtree or similar programs (and not represented by a tax professional) will turn over huge pools of confidential (and sometimes ‘privileged’ and incriminating) data contained in the data file or archive file that has nothing to do and is not directly relevant to the IRS examination that the lone taxpayer is facing.

Don’t allow the government to use fear and intimidation to their advantage

highly-trained collection specialists backed by the full power of the U.S. federal governmentRemember, IRS Revenue Agents are the world’s most highly-trained collection specialists backed by the full power of the U.S. federal government. They are trained and encouraged to extract more information from you than you are legally obligated to provide them as they aggressively advocate the government’s collection actions. Having your own Professional Tax Representation lawyer advocating your position brings some balance to the dramatic power and knowledge vacuum on the taxpayer’s side.

What are the possible results following an IRS audit?

A concluded IRS audit can result in either a “change” (up or down) or “no change” in the tax liability that you, as the taxpayer owes for a specific tax year. If your tax audit results in an “upward change” to your tax return, you have the right to appeal the decision to the administrative appeals division of the IRS. If the taxpayer or their representative is unable to resolve the challenge or dispute at either the audit or appeals level, the IRS will issue a ‘Notice of Deficiency’ which provides the taxpayer 90-days to file a petition in the United States Tax Court for re-determination of the tax liability. The IRS gives you the information regarding appeals in the IRS Publication 556.

What happens if my taxes were increased and we cannot come to an agreement?

If your audit found you owing additional taxes and you were unable to appeal the decision and the IRS issues a notice of deficiency, you have 90-days to file the petition with the United States Tax Court. It is critical that this petition is filed within the 90-day time period if the taxpayer wishes to dispute the tax deficiency. If you miss the 90-day deadline, the IRS will automatically access the tax against you likely issue a lien against your home or other property and may commence levies of any bank accounts, securities accounts or begin a wage garnishment (if ready cash cannot be found). Additionally, “failure to pay” penalties may be tacked on to your overall tax liability. If you haven’t had professional tax representation during your audit or appeal, it might be time to consider getting a tax lawyer to represent you before the Unites States Tax Court, or if too late for that to negotiate an Offer In Compromise settlement or IRS Installment Agreement plan. Contact a tax resolution lawyer at Vincent W. Davis & Associates to assist you in the post-audit process.

Why should I have Professional Tax Representation for tax audit matters?

In navigating through the audit process, and dealing with the world’s largest and most experience collection agency (with the full-power of the federal government) having a partner with experience and education is crucial. The Tax Resolution Lawyers at Vincent W. Davis & Associates are skilled in working-with and negotiating-with both the IRS and the state tax authorities. Contact Vincent W. Davis & Associates for a FREE consultation to discuss how we can put our 60 years of combined legal experience to work for you!

Get some help —Make that call!

The Tax Resolution Lawyers at Vincent W. Davis & Associates, provide a no-obligation, confidential consultation and have appointments available for evenings and weekends. Moreover, we accept all major credit cards and can make other payment arrangements so that we can help you get your tax problems straightened out without adding additional layers of financial burden on you and your family. We have seven convenient offices throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County and San Bernardino County. To schedule a confidential consultation with one of our Tax Resolution Lawyers, call 626-446-6442.


Arcadia Office
150 N. Santa Anita Ave,
Suite 200
Arcadia, CA 91006
Phone: (626) 446-6442
Fax: (626)-446-6454


Beverly Hills Office
9465 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 300
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: (310)-880-5733


La Mirada Office
Cerritos Towne Center
17777 Center Court Drive ,
Suite 600
Cerritos, California, 90703
Phone: 888-888-6542


Los Angeles Office
Gas Company Tower
555 West Fifth Street,
31st Floor
Los Angeles, California, 90013
Phone: (213)-400-4132


Long Beach Office
Landmark Square
111 West Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 400
Long beach, California, 90802


Irvine Office
Oracle Tower
17901 Von Karman Avenue,
Suite 600
Irvine, California, 92614
Phone: (949)-203-3971
Fax: (949)-203-3972


Ontario Office
Lakeshore Center
3281 E. Guasti Road,
7th Floor
City of Ontario, California, 91761
Phone:(909)-996-5644


Riverside Office
Turner Riverwalk
11801 Pierce Street,
Suite 200
Riverside, California, 92505
Phone: (909)-996-5644


San Diego
Emerald Plaza
402 West Broadway,
Suite #400
San Diego, California, 92101
Phone: (619)-885-2070


Aliso Viejo
Ladera Corporate Terrace
999 Corporate Drive,
Suite 100
Ladera Ranch, California, 92694
Phone: (714) 721-3822