A tax attorney free consultation is your chance to put an IRS or California Franchise Tax Board problem in front of a lawyer before it grows. The meeting is most useful when you bring the right notices, know your filing history and arrive with clear questions. This guide explains exactly how to prepare.
If a notice on your table has a response date, do not wait for the perfect file. Call (415) 754-0115 to schedule your free consultation, or use our contact page to describe the notice you received.
Start with the notice, not the shoebox
Many people delay calling because their records feel disorganized. In a first tax meeting, the single most important document is usually the most recent letter from the IRS or the FTB. It tells the attorney which stage the matter has reached, which tax years are involved and, critically, how much time remains to respond.
Notices that signal a deadline
- Audit or examination letters asking for records or scheduling a meeting.
- Proposed changes, such as an IRS CP2000 or an FTB Notice of Proposed Assessment.
- Notices of deficiency, which open a limited window to petition the U.S. Tax Court.
- Final notices of intent to levy, which may carry the right to a Collection Due Process hearing.
- Levy or garnishment notices sent to you, your bank or your employer.
Bring the envelope too. Mailing dates sometimes matter when deadlines are counted. If you have received several letters over months, stack them in date order. The sequence shows how a matter has progressed and whether earlier opportunities to respond have already passed, which affects what can still be done.
What to bring to a tax attorney free consultation
Beyond the notice itself, a few categories of paperwork let an attorney see the full picture in one sitting.
Filing history
Bring copies of the returns for the years in question, plus the most recent year you filed. If some years were never filed, say so plainly. Unfiled returns are common, and an attorney needs to know about them because they shape which resolution options are realistic.
Records behind the disputed items
For an audit or proposed assessment, bring whatever supports the numbers being questioned: receipts, mileage logs, 1099s, brokerage statements or business ledgers. You do not need everything; a representative sample shows what exists.
A snapshot of your finances
For collection matters, the IRS and FTB look closely at your ability to pay. A rough list of monthly income, household expenses, bank balances, retirement accounts and property helps the attorney gauge whether options such as an installment agreement, currently not collectible status or an offer in compromise deserve a closer look.
Business owners: add these
- Payroll tax filings, if employment taxes are involved.
- Entity documents showing who signs checks and who controls the accounts.
- Any letters from the California EDD about payroll taxes.
Questions worth asking during the meeting
A consultation runs both ways. You are deciding whether this attorney is the right person to handle your matter, so it helps to arrive with a written list.
- What stage is my case at, and what is the next deadline?
- Which outcomes are realistically on the table, and which are not?
- Do I need to speak with the IRS or FTB myself, or can you handle contact?
- What documents would you need from me next, and by when?
- If the audit goes against me, what appeal rights do I have?
On that last point, our guide to the IRS audit appeals process explains how an independent review works before a case reaches court.
A word about attorney-client privilege
Conversations with a lawyer for the purpose of legal advice are generally privileged. That protection can be especially valuable when a tax matter raises sensitive questions, such as years of unreported income. An attorney can explain how privilege applies to your situation.
Bringing your tax problem to The Somal Law Firm
The Somal Law Firm is a boutique Pleasanton practice led by attorney Bob Somal, Esq. Its tax law practice focuses on IRS disputes and dispute resolution, tax audits and appeals. Because the firm also handles bankruptcy and debt settlement, a consultation can look at tax debt alongside credit cards, a mortgage or a lawsuit, instead of treating each problem in isolation.
The firm serves clients throughout Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon and Danville, plus Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Readers comparing local options may find our overview of a Tri-Valley tax attorney’s work on IRS and FTB debt helpful.
What happens after the consultation
At the end of the meeting, you should understand where your matter stands and what the next step would be. Sometimes that step is gathering more records. Sometimes it is a prompt response to the agency to protect a deadline. In some cases, the attorney may recommend that you take no action at all for now. Whatever the advice, you decide whether to move forward. Write down the next deadline and the documents requested before you hang up or leave, so nothing slips while you think it over.
Frequently asked questions
Can I schedule a consultation if I have not opened the IRS letter?
Yes, but open it first if you can. The attorney will need to read it, and knowing what it says helps you describe the problem when you call.
Should my spouse attend if we filed jointly?
If the tax years involve joint returns, it often helps for both spouses to attend. If you believe your spouse caused the problem, mention it; relief such as innocent spouse relief may be worth discussing.
Does the consultation cover California FTB problems too?
Yes. It is common to face federal and state tax issues at the same time, and the two agencies follow different rules. Bring notices from both.
What if my problem involves a business?
Bring the business records described above. Unpaid payroll taxes in particular can lead to personal liability for owners and others responsible for paying them through the trust fund recovery penalty, so early review matters.
Your notice is not going to get easier to deal with by sitting in a drawer. Call (415) 754-0115 to schedule your free consultation with The Somal Law Firm and bring the letter you received. You can also reach out through our contact page with a short description and a good time to call.
Attorney Advertising. This article is general legal information for Bay Area residents, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every situation is different — please consult a licensed attorney about your specific circumstances.