What type of lawyer helps you appeal an IRS decision? Need advice fast

So I just got this letter from the IRS saying they're disallowing some of my deductions from last year and now I owe them an extra $6,800. I think they're completely wrong and I want to fight this, but I have no idea where to start. My wife and I run a small business from home and we've always been really careful about keeping good records for our expenses. We claimed a home office deduction and some travel expenses that were 100% legitimate for our business, but the IRS is saying they're "personal expenses" which is total BS. I know I need a lawyer to help me appeal this, but what kind exactly? Are there attorneys who specialize in fighting the IRS? Tax attorneys? Business lawyers? Something else? The letter says I only have 30 days to respond and I'm freaking out a bit. We definitely can't afford to just pay this amount, especially if we're actually in the right. Any advice on finding the right type of lawyer would be super appreciated!

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18 comments

Dmitry Sokolov

•8M

You're looking for a tax attorney specifically. They specialize in tax law and dealing with IRS disputes. Some CPAs also handle appeals, but for a formal appeal process, a tax attorney is usually your best bet. Make sure to find someone with experience in tax controversy work - that's the specific area that deals with audits, appeals, and tax litigation. They'll know exactly how to navigate the IRS appeals process and can represent you at every stage. Don't wait on this - that 30-day deadline is important. Most tax attorneys offer a consultation where they can review your case and give you an idea of your chances. Bring all your documentation to that meeting including the letter from the IRS and the proof you have for those deductions.

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Dmitry Sokolov

•8M

For small business tax issues, look for tax attorneys who mention "small business" or "self-employed" experience in their profiles. The American Bar Association's Tax Section or your state's bar association can provide referrals to qualified tax attorneys in your area. While you can work with an attorney located anywhere, having someone local can be helpful if in-person meetings are needed or if your case might go to Tax Court. Many tax attorneys can handle everything remotely these days, so geography isn't as limiting as it once was.

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Ava Martinez

•8M

When I was in a similar situation last year, I spent HOURS researching and stressing before I found taxr.ai at https://taxr.ai - it literally saved me so much time. I uploaded my IRS letter and documentation, and it analyzed everything and showed me exactly where my case was strong and where it was weak. It also suggested the specific type of lawyer I needed based on my specific circumstances. The cool thing was it pointed out several technical issues in my case that I never would have known to mention to an attorney. When I finally met with a tax lawyer, they were impressed that I already understood the key issues. Honestly made the whole process way less intimidating!

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Ava Martinez

•8M

It actually analyzes your specific documents - you upload your IRS notices, supporting documentation, and any correspondence, and it identifies the specific tax issues at play and relevant regulations that apply to your situation. It's not just generic advice. The tool uses the same tax code databases and case precedents that professionals use, but makes them accessible to regular people. It definitely helped me win my case - it identified a specific tax court precedent that applied to my situation that I brought to my lawyer's attention. My attorney said it saved hours of research time.

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QuantumQuasar

•8M

OK so I was the skeptic above but I tried taxr.ai after getting an audit notice last month. I was surprised - it actually gave me really specific advice for my situation. I uploaded my docs and it identified that the IRS was applying the wrong standard for my home office deduction. The analysis showed me exactly which tax code sections supported my position and even found a few similar cases where taxpayers won their appeals. I took all this to a tax attorney who said I was way ahead of the game. We filed the appeal and the IRS actually backed down on most of the issues! The attorney fees were WAY less than expected because I had already done so much of the groundwork. Not saying you shouldn't get a lawyer - definitely do - but this tool made the whole process make sense to me.

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Zainab Omar

•8M

I had to deal with the IRS last year and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get through to anyone. I tried calling for weeks and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Then a friend told me about Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and showed me this demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was desperate so I tried it, and it actually got me connected to a real IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of the hours I was wasting before. The agent was able to explain my options for appealing and even put a temporary hold on collections while I got my paperwork together. Before talking to a real person at the IRS, I had no idea where to even start with the appeal process. Getting that initial guidance made a huge difference in my confidence level before I hired an attorney.

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Zainab Omar

•8M

It uses a system that navigates the IRS phone tree automatically and keeps your place in line for you. It monitors the hold and calls you back when it's about to connect with an agent so you don't have to stay on the phone for hours. It's basically doing exactly what you'd do manually, but automated. It's definitely not cutting any lines or doing anything sketchy - it's just handling the tedious part of waiting on hold so you don't have to tie up your phone and waste your day. The IRS agents have no idea you used the service, they just think you waited patiently on hold like everyone else.

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Yara Sayegh

•8M

I need to eat my words from my comment above. After continuing to fail getting through to the IRS for another week, I broke down and tried Claimyr. Honestly couldn't believe it worked. Got a call back in about 40 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line. The agent walked me through the appeal process and explained I could request a hearing with the Office of Appeals without even needing a lawyer for the initial steps. She sent me the exact forms I needed and told me what documentation would strengthen my case. I'll probably still consult with a tax attorney before finalizing everything, but now I at least understand what I'm dealing with and have a game plan. Saved me so much stress and confusion.

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Keisha Johnson

•8M

Tax attorney here (though obviously not YOUR attorney). A few things to consider when finding representation: 1. Look for an attorney who specializes in "tax controversy" - that's the specific term for dealing with disputes with the IRS 2. Ask about their experience with your specific issue (home office and business travel deductions in your case) 3. Consider the size of your case ($6,800) when choosing representation - don't spend $10,000 fighting a $6,800 assessment 4. Ask if they have experience with the Appeals Office in your specific IRS district Many cases get resolved at the appeals level without going to Tax Court, so having someone familiar with your local Appeals Officers can be helpful.

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Keisha Johnson

•8M

It depends on your comfort level with tax matters and how complex your situation is. For simple factual disputes where you have clear documentation, you might be able to handle the initial response yourself. However, if there are complex legal interpretations at play or if your business structure has nuances, professional help is advised. The biggest risk of handling it yourself is inadvertently making statements that limit your options later or missing technical arguments that could help your case. If you do go it alone for the initial response, be very careful to stick to provable facts and avoid making legal conclusions or interpretations of tax law.

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