Awards & Recognition
The Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing
Welcome to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the beauty of the Sandia Mountains meets the urban sophistication of New Mexico’s largest city. While Albuquerque is renowned for its vibrant culture, picturesque landscapes, and annual hot air balloon fiesta, its residents and businesses, like anywhere else, are subject to federal tax obligations.
As daunting as an unexpected thunderstorm, being selected for a tax audit can unsettle the most resilient individuals or businesses. An IRS audit can trigger countless sleepless nights, inducing worry about potential consequences. This concern can amplify if your actions have inadvertently invited an audit or if your unique circumstances—such as owning a small business, dealing extensively in cash, or having a high income—make you an attractive audit target.
At the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, we’re led by David W. Klasing Esq. CPA M.S.-Tax, a highly experienced tax attorney and CPA with nearly 30 years of practice in federal tax law. David extends his services beyond the typical office confines, serving businesses and individuals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and other specific locations across the U.S. He is a beacon of excellence in the field, holding prestigious leadership positions and consistently engaging in advanced education.
Whether you’re dealing with a federal audit, criminal tax investigation, appeals, or tax litigation, David’s unmatched expertise, sophisticated skills, and vast experience make him an unrivaled ally. We are dedicated to your unique situation and work diligently to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.
We recognize our clients’ busy lifestyles and offer the utmost convenience. David, an instrument-rated private pilot, flies his fast and efficient Cirrus SR22 to various satellite offices, allowing us to offer you personalized service when and where you need it most. With our brand new satellite office in Albuquerque, we’ve introduced a new 4-hour consultation at any of his satellite offices: hire David for four hours, and he will travel to any of our satellite offices, including Albuquerque without charging extra for the travel expenses. Call us at 800-681-1295 or fill out our contact form today.
What To Do If You Get An Audit Letter From The IRS
Receiving a letter from the IRS might bring a surge of worry, but not every letter means you’re under audit. The IRS sends out notices for a variety of reasons. It could be to notify you of identity theft, to remind you of your installment agreement with them, or to inform you of changes made to your taxes that resulted in no balance due. So, if you see a letter from the IRS in your mailbox, it doesn’t necessarily signify bad news.
However, sometimes, the IRS will send letters asking for missing documents or pointing out discrepancies between the information you provided and their records. Responding to these requests promptly and accurately, without raising additional red flags, can help you avoid a full audit unless underlying severe issues exist. In these situations, it’s always wise to consult a tax audit attorney who can guide you through the process and reduce the risk of making a costly mistake.
Facing an Audit: Immediate Steps to Take
That said, some letters from the IRS are indeed notices of an audit. If you’ve received such a notice or if your response to a request for information has triggered a full audit, it’s crucial to seek the advice of a tax lawyer immediately.
Here’s what you should do if you’re facing an audit:
- Stay Organized: Audits often center around credibility. Having your documents, such as receipts, invoices, sales records, and bank statements, well-organized and readily available can boost your credibility. In the case of missing records, arrange for duplicates as soon as possible;
- Limit Discussions: Don’t discuss tax returns not currently under audit. Stick to discussing only what’s necessary and relevant;
- Understand Your Rights: As a taxpayer, you have certain rights during an audit. For instance, you have the right to:
- Be represented by a tax attorney;
- Be treated with professionalism and courtesy by the IRS;
- Have privacy and confidentiality for your tax matters;
- Know why the IRS is requesting information, how they plan to use it, and the consequences if you fail to provide it;
- Appeal the IRS’s decision before an IRS administrative hearing or in court.
Getting legal representation during an audit is one of your most important rights. As dual-licensed tax attorneys and CPAs can help limit the scope of your audit, prepare you for interviews, protect you from disclosing sensitive information, spot potential criminal tax investigations, develop a strategy to minimize your liabilities, and defend you when the IRS incorrectly applies the law.
David W. Klasing, holding a Master’s degree in taxation and is a dual-licensed tax attorney and CPA, brings nearly 30 years of experience. He has successfully helped various companies and individual taxpayers manage the audit process before the IRS.
David has served in leading roles in both the California State Bar, Tax Procedure and Litigation Committee, and the tax section of the Orange County Bar Association, reinforcing his commitment to assisting clients with their tax disputes. His dedication to continuous professional education exceeds the basic professional standards, ensuring he remains on the cutting edge of the tax profession.
David’s deep knowledge and proficiency make him an invaluable asset, whether it’s an audit, a criminal tax investigation, an appeal, or tax litigation. You would be hard-pressed to find a more skilled or experienced representative to assist you in getting the best outcomes for your tax matters.
Why is Legal Representation Critical During an IRS Audit?
Facing an IRS audit without legal representation can put you on shaky ground. You could unintentionally say something the tax examiner might misconstrue as a confession of wrongdoing. Plus, tax examiners might make judgments based on misaligned facts from your case or draw conclusions based on incorrect legal interpretations.
Having a seasoned tax attorney by your side ensures that someone can navigate the technical complexities that arise during an audit, counteract the examiner’s assertiveness, and intervene whenever factual or legal issues arise during the examination.
Key Benefits of a Dual-Licensed Attorney and CPA:
- Deep Understanding of Law: Extensive knowledge of the law, legal research, and procedure;
- Persuasion and Negotiation Skills: Specialized training in persuasion and negotiation helps in dealing with the IRS;
- Higher Education: Attorneys undergo several years of post-graduate, formal education, making them experts in their field;
- Confidentiality: The privilege of Attorney-Client confidentiality ensures that your information is safeguarded;
- Legal Representation: Only attorneys can represent you in court if litigation becomes necessary;
- Licensure: Licensed by professional regulatory bodies that maintain rigorous minimum competency standards.
Can an Attorney Assist in Settlements?
Yes, attorneys can aid you in settling if necessary. When you hire an attorney, the IRS and other tax authorities understand your seriousness about challenging the merits of your case. They may opt for a settlement if they think their chances of winning in court are slim.
Avoidance of Excessive Civil and Criminal Tax Liability
Their specialized legal training allows attorneys to spot IRS irregularities or legal misinterpretations that other tax specialists might miss. This ability can potentially reduce your civil liability and criminal tax exposure. Furthermore, attorneys can better discern whether the IRS has initiated a criminal tax investigation. In rare situations, they may even be able to invoke equitable or other non-tax-related defenses on your behalf.
At the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, we ensure your rights are safeguarded throughout the audit process. Our in-depth understanding of federal tax law and audits sets us apart from others in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We offer legal advice and arm you with a powerful defense founded on years of experience and a strong command of IRS procedures and tax law intricacies.
Choosing us means investing in a team that detects IRS irregularities and legal misinterpretations and effectively reduces civil liability and criminal tax exposure. Furthermore, our ability to discern potential criminal tax investigations can provide an extra layer of security and confidence.
By choosing us, you’ll align yourself with a partner who can turn the tide in your favor in an audit scenario, potentially leading to a favorable settlement. We don’t just represent you; we fight for the best possible outcome. Partner with us and navigate your tax audit journey with confidence and assurance.
Don’t Let Your Original Preparer Handle Your Tax Audit
When facing a tax audit, you may be inclined to turn to the person who prepared your taxes initially. However, this might not be the best approach. Here’s why:
Risks of Exposing Sensitive Information
Your conversations with an accountant or tax preparer are not confidential. If summoned in a subsequent legal tax proceeding, they must reveal any incriminating information you disclosed. It’s also important to note that tax preparers under scrutiny often shift the blame onto their clients to safeguard their license, reputation, and livelihood.
Lack of Legal Protection and Confidentiality
Only an attorney-client relationship can provide the protection and confidentiality you need when handling a tax audit. The attorney-client privilege and the attorney work-product rule protect any admissions or disclosures you make while seeking legal advice.
Superior Legal Expertise
A tax attorney has the added advantage of being able to rope in consulting accountants, providing them with a derivative of the attorney-client privilege through a legal instrument known as a Kovel letter. This keeps your disclosed information confidential while leveraging the expertise of accountants. Plus, while accountants focus on accuracy, attorneys emphasize advocacy. A lawyer’s skills are more pertinent and compelling once matters progress to tax law questions and disputes.
Make the Right Choice for Your Audit Defense
Choosing the right representative for your tax audit is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. At the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, we’re not just tax preparers; we’re seasoned dual-licensed tax attorneys and CPAs committed to safeguarding your rights and achieving the best possible outcome. When you choose us, you choose confidentiality, legal expertise, and dedicated advocacy. It’s your defense, and you deserve the best. To schedule a 10-minute call with an experienced tax attorney to discuss a potential IRS audit, contact the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing.
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