Most people don’t really enjoy paying taxes. While it’s a necessary – and mandated – part of life, it’s still a burden for some since it deducts money from their paychecks, and it can represent a lump sum paid during tax season. Fortunately, a lot of people get money back from the government. In 2017, people got 119,853, 012 individual refunds, according to tax.ny.gov. But what about unpaid employment taxes? Here’s what a tax lawyer can do to help with that:
It Depends on Your Employment Status
Are you a full or part-time employee of the business and thus are supposed to get potential benefits? If you are, and you notice that your employer isn’t deducting employment tax from your paycheck, you need to tell them. Otherwise, they could get in trouble at tax time, and you could potentially be on the hook for money, too. Talk with a tax lawyer if you aren’t sure.
On the other hand, if you’re a contractor or self-employed, then you are going to have to pay your own taxes and usually do that quarterly. Make sure your employer has you fill out the proper tax forms before you start doing any work for them.
They Can Help Sue Your Tax Preparer
While this one might be seen as a betrayal of sorts by some, if your tax preparer cheats and omits things like employment taxes, and it winds up with the IRS auditing you and penalizing you, you could actually sue them through the IRS and use a tax lawyer to represent you. As tough as times are, the laws are the laws. They are in place to help American society function, and if you don’t pay your share of whatever kind of tax you owe, it could cause you a lot of problems. The IRS doesn’t accept ignorance as an excuse – but your lawyer could help lessen any penalty.
Ultimately, the best attitude to take is to view the IRS as being like the house at a casino. You might be able to fool them for a little bit, but it’s going to be short-lived. Before you know it, you will likely get a letter either telling you that you owe them money or that they are going to want to audit you. An excellent tax lawyer can help keep you out of any hot water. That will make whatever fee you pay worth it.
Are you looking for a tax lawyer in your area? We can help you find one that is reputable and can assist with your case at Michael C. Whelan JD CPA. Contact us today!