There is an old saying, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, that nothing is certain except death and taxes. As many people have found out the hard way, the government takes matters related to taxes very seriously.
If you are facing tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDR), you will need an experienced tax lawyer to advocate for your interests. Whether you have an outstanding tax balance, liability for uncollected taxes, business and payroll tax issues, or an ongoing tax dispute, a tax attorney can advise you of your rights and help you achieve a favorable outcome for your case.
The law firm of Pridgeon & Zoss was founded by two former IRS tax attorneys. We represent both individuals and businesses on a range of federal and Minnesota state matters. If you are facing a tax issue, give our law office a call to schedule a consultation with a Roseville, Minnesota tax lawyer.
Types of Tax Matters We Handle
From our office in Roseville, our law firm advises and represents clients through Henepin and Ramsey Counties. We often work cooperatively with accountants and licensed tax preparers, rather than in competition with these financial professionals. Our law firm focuses on tax issues that require the knowledge and expertise of legal counsel, including installment agreements, offers in compromise, tax litigation, and tax appeals.
Installment Agreements
Owing money to the IRS or the MDR can be incredibly stressful. If you owe a substantial amount of money to the IRS or the MDR, there may be an option to pay down your tax debt through an installment agreement.
To determine if an installment plan is feasible, the IRS or MDR will examine your available assets and liabilities. If you qualify for an installment agreement, a seasoned Roseville tax lawyer can help negotiate a plan that allows you to maintain a certain amount of cash flow for living expenses while paying off your debt over time.
Offers in Compromise
In some situations, the IRS will agree to settle an outstanding tax liability for less than the total value through an offer in compromise (OIC). This typically occurs when the IRS acknowledges that a taxpayer will not be able to pay their outstanding tax debt in full. Our attorneys will analyze your financial information, including current expenses and liabilities, to determine an anticipated OIC amount.
If the IRS accepts your OIC, then your tax liability will be settled for this amount. You will then be required to pay off your debt in accordance with the OIC and to stay current on filing and paying taxes.
IRS Collections
In some situations, the IRS will make a decision that a taxpayer simply cannot pay off their outstanding tax debt. If a lien or installment agreement is not feasible, the tax liability may be assigned a status of “Currently Not Collectible.”
This does not mean that you have been relieved of your tax liability. Instead, it means that the IRS will continue to review your financial situation to determine if and when a collection action is appropriate. If you have received a notice declaring that a tax liability is “currently not collectible,” a Roseville, MN tax attorney can help you determine how you may be able to satisfy this tax liability.
Tax Appeals
If you disagree with a decision made by the IRS or MDR, you have the right to file a tax appeal. Depending on your situation, you may appeal the amount of tax liability, actions taken against you (such as a lien or seizure), and penalties and interest. An experienced tax law attorney can advise you of your rights and guide you through the process of appealing to the U.S. Tax Court or Minnesota state court.
Tax Litigation
In many cases, it is possible to negotiate a solution to a tax dispute, such as through an offer in compromise or an installment agreement. However, there are situations where the best option is to pursue tax litigation.
State and federal tax litigation can be incredibly complex, but may ultimately result in the reduction or elimination of tax debt. As former IRS attorneys, our legal team has in-depth knowledge of both the U.S. tax code and Minnesota tax laws. We’ll put our experience to work for you to help you achieve the best resolution for your case.
Audit Preparation
Our law firm only attends audits at the request of a client. Typically, an accountant is the best professional to assist in the initial stages of an audit. Our attorneys can work directly with you or your accountant to help you prepare for an audit.
If the audit cannot be resolved favorably, we may be able to negotiate a settlement such as an offer in compromise or an installment agreement. Otherwise, we can represent you in an appeal or tax litigation in court.
Penalties and Fines
If the IRS or MDR determines that you have underpaid your taxes, you may be facing significant penalties and fines. Interest, penalties, and fines are often assessed for tax evasion, late payment, unreported income or claiming unauthorized tax deductions and credits. These additional charges can significantly increase a taxpayer’s tax liability.
In many cases, the IRS and/or the MDR are more interested in collecting the outstanding debt than the penalties, interest, and fines. For this reason, an experienced tax attorney in Roseville, MN may be able to reduce or eliminate the penalties and fines through an offer in compromise.
Responses to Official Notice
Both the IRS and the MDR notify taxpayers of potential tax issues through official notices. These documents may notify you of a pending audit, taxes due, an intent to levy or seize property, or other issues.
Most of these notices require you to take action within a specific period of time if you want to protest or appeal the issue. If you receive an official notice from the IRS or the MDR, do not ignore it or wait. Call our law office immediately to schedule a consultation with a Roseville tax lawyer.
Liability for Uncollected Taxes
The IRS and the MDR will each carefully analyze the tax returns of business owners, particularly in industries that typically rely on cash transactions. If either agency finds a deficiency, they will come after the taxpayer for unpaid taxes, plus penalties, interest, and fines. In some cases, the IRS or the MDR may seek to impose liability for uncollected taxes on an individual.
Our law firm has substantial experience representing business owners and individuals in tax matters involving unpaid taxes. We will advise you of your rights and the best way to resolve the tax debt, which may include seeking innocent spouse relief. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team.
Business and Payroll Taxes
Business and payroll taxes can be particularly complicated – and the IRS and the MDR are well known for aggressively pursuing companies that fail to comply with state and federal laws regarding business taxes. Our attorneys have more than 70 years of combined experience assisting employers and self-employed individuals with tax matters such as:
- Responding to notices
- Corporate tax audits, litigation and appeals
- Offers in compromise and tax workouts
- Trust fund assessments
- Complying with sales and use tax laws
- Failure to withhold self-employment taxes
- Independent contractor tax issues
- Appealing a tax levy action against businesses
- Innocent spouse relief for spouses of business owners
Self-Employed Tax Issues
Self-employed individuals and independent contractors face unique challenges when it comes to taxes. Each year, they must pay estimated income taxes and self-employment taxes (FICA). If they fail to do so, they will be assessed penalties and interest. The IRS and the MDR may also audit self-employed professionals going back several years, which can result in devastating financial consequences.
Our law firm represents self-employed individuals who are facing audits and other tax issues. Give our Roseville, MN law office a call today to schedule a consultation with a tax law attorney.
Representing Minnesota Taxpayers
There are few things that are more stressful than getting a letter from the IRS or the MDR. In this situation, you need highly skilled legal counsel who can advise you of the best way to resolve your tax matter – and help you negotiate a settlement or take the case to court.
Pridgeon & Zoss advocates for taxpayers in Minnesota who are dealing with IRS and MDR tax issues. With more than 70 years of combined experience, we have the necessary knowledge and skill to help you achieve the best possible outcome. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a Roseville, MN tax attorney, you can reach us at or 952-835-8320; or fill out our online contact form.
