Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC

Just another WordPress site

Home / Minnesota Tax Dispute & Litigation Lawyers
Call
Contact
Blog

Minnesota Tax Dispute & Litigation Lawyers

Serving Clients Throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin

Just because a tax official at the IRS or Minnesota Department of Revenue says you owe additional taxes, doesn’t mean they are right. Proving them wrong, however, is the hard part.

Tax disputes have almost become a way of life for taxpayers both within and outside the United States. As a result of intense media attention relating to tax avoidance and tax evasion, the U.S. government has provided additional resources to the IRS in order to expand audits of American taxpayers which will lead to increased audits of small and medium-sized businesses and their owners, especially in businesses with numerous cash transactions.  Legislative, administrative, and judicial landscapes constantly change, making it challenging for taxpayers to defend their tax positions and manage their tax risks.

The experienced attorneys at Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC are well-positioned to assist clients in avoiding tax disputes, managing them when they occur, resolving them before litigation, and, if necessary, litigating them in court. We assist our clients in resolving tax disputes efficiently and effectively. Our lawyers represent clients before the U.S. Tax Court, Minnesota Tax Court, and the IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Tax Disputes We Handle

Our firm offers a range of services in all areas related to tax liability disputes, including:

  • Offers in compromise and tax settlements
  • Installment agreements
  • Tax appeals
  • Tax litigation
  • Preparations for audits
  • Addressing unfiled tax returns
  • Reduction of penalties and fines
  • Responding to tax notices
  • Innocent spouse tax relief
  • Tax lien, bank levy, wage levy, and garnishment
  • Property seizures
  • Abating penalties and interest
  • Obtaining tax refunds
  • Defending against the application of the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty

A general litigation firm may provide high-quality representation, but they can lack detailed knowledge of tax law and procedure. Our tax law attorneys, however, have decades of experience in tax litigation and controversies. We have the legal knowledge and background needed to advocate for you during disputes with federal, state, and local taxing authorities.

Understanding Your Tax Audit

The IRS and the Minnesota Department of Revenue sometimes audit taxpayers to verify their tax information. Any tax audit should be taken seriously even if you know your records are accurate. There are a number of reasons why you may be selected for a tax audit, including:

  • Problems with your paperwork
  • Random selection based on computer algorithms
  • An audit has recently been conducted on someone you do business with

An audit does not necessarily indicate that you have committed a crime or that your tax paperwork is incorrect. You can, however, protect your rights during an audit by consulting a tax attorney. Tax agents look out for the government’s interests, so having legal representation is recommended. Should a dispute arise, your lawyer will be familiar enough with your circumstances to negotiate a better outcome to help you seek appropriate tax relief.

Filing a Tax Appeal 

If you disagree with the results of the audit, your next steps depend on whether you’re dealing with the IRS or the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

IRS Disputes

There are a number of procedures and deadlines involved in disputing a federal tax decision. In most cases, a disagreement can be settled without the need for a court hearing. Tax court is your only option if you do not want to appeal with the IRS.

Depending on your situation, you can either file a small case request or a formal written protest. A small case request can be filed if the additional tax and proposed penalties do not exceed $25,000. Your protest will be considered by the IRS Examining or Collection office before going to the Office of Appeals. 

Your dispute letter should not be sent directly to the Office of Appeals. You can send it to the IRS address provided in your letter. Your letter will indicate the deadline for filing an appeal, which is typically 30 days.

Minnesota Department of Revenue Disputes

Tax appeals can be filed directly with the Minnesota Tax Court or with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of the tax order date, although you may request an extension of 30 days in writing.

Tax appeals filed directly with the tax court instead of via the administrative appeals process are heard by the small claims division if the tax amount is less than $15,000. Your appeal will be heard by the regular division if there is a higher amount in controversy.

Why Should I Hire Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC, to Handle My Tax Dispute?

If you are disputing the amount of your Minnesota or federal tax liability, arrange a consultation with Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC. During professional tax careers that span more than 70 years, attorneys Mark Pridgeon and David Zoss have successfully represented clients in tax disputes ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars and more. 

Our firm works daily with tax authorities and appeals officers at the Minnesota IRS office, as well as the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Upon reviewing your returns and records, we will give you an honest assessment of whether you have legitimate grounds to appeal the federal or state tax authority’s findings or can pursue litigation.

After years of working with personnel at the IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue, we understand how tax officials interpret and apply the law regarding income, deductions, and credits. It is not unusual to discover that they sometimes overstep federal and state tax law, possibly leaving their disputed decisions open to appeal or litigation.

How Do I Know if I’m Eligible to File a Tax Appeal?

If you meet all the conditions below, you are in a position to file a tax appeal with the IRS or the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

You disagree with the agency’s decision and have proof to support your position. For example, they are disallowing a large deduction and you can prove that it’s a valid one.
You have received a letter from the IRS or MDR explaining your right to appeal.
You’ve received an agreement form but aren’t willing to sign it.
You disagree with the agency’s decision because it is incorrect, not because you cannot pay it.

If you aren’t sure about your ability to file an appeal, contact Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC, for a no-obligation consultation and case review.

What if I Can’t Afford to Pay the Assessed Tax Amount?

Inability to pay is not grounds for disputing state or IRS-proposed tax assessments. You can still benefit from the services of a tax lawyer, however. Depending on factors like how much you owe and to whom, we can help you negotiate a payment arrangement like an offer in compromise, in which you settle your tax debt for a more manageable amount or an installment agreement to pay over time. 

Payment arrangements can provide you with critical relief during state or IRS disputes, but they require research and careful presentation. At Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC, we can help you propose and negotiate a payment arrangement that resolves your tax burden without depriving you of the money you and your family need to live on. 

Former IRS Tax Lawyers · More Than 70 Years of Combined Tax Law Experience

If you are disputing the amount of your Minnesota or federal tax liability, arrange a consultation with Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC. During professional tax careers that spans more than 70 years, attorneys Mark Pridgeon and David Zoss have successfully represented clients in tax disputes ranging to hundreds of thousands of dollars and more. Our firm works daily with tax authorities and appeals officers at the Minnesota IRS office, as well as the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Upon reviewing your returns and records, we will give you an honest assessment of whether you have legitimate grounds to appeal the federal or state tax authority’s findings or can pursue litigation.

“After years of working with personnel at the IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue, we understand how tax officials interpret and apply the law regarding income, deductions and credits. It is not unusual to discover that they sometimes overstep federal and state tax law, possibly leaving their disputed decisions open to appeal or litigation.” – Attorneys Mark Pridgeon and David Zoss

Our firm offers a range of services in all areas relative to tax liability disputes, including:

Facing Tax or IRS Disputes? Speak to a Minnesota Tax Lawyer

If you are facing or are already deeply involved in a federal or state tax controversy, reach out to the team at Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC, today. Our Minnesota tax dispute attorneys can advise and represent you in all aspects of your tax litigation dispute and will work with you to resolve it as favorably as possible.

From offices in Edina and St. Anthony, we advise and represent clients in communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. If you are facing a significant tax liability, contact the firm for an initial consultation with a tax dispute attorney at Pridgeon & Zoss, PLLC, today. We usually discount our initial fees by half an hour for this initial consultation. Let us learn about your tax problem so we can explain your options and help you decide the best way forward.