Use these educational resources to understand common tax-law issues and prepare better questions for a professional. The material is general information, not legal or tax advice, and tax rules can change.
Start with the type of problem
Tax matters often fall into several broad categories: IRS audits and appeals, collection matters such as liens and levies, payroll-tax issues, offers in compromise and installment agreements, state-tax disputes, tax litigation, international reporting, and estate or business tax planning. The Tax Problems section organizes directory profiles by the services they publicly identify.
Choosing the right professional
Before hiring anyone, confirm current professional standing, ask how often the attorney handles matters like yours, understand who will do the work, discuss fees and expected timing, and avoid sending confidential documents until the firm confirms a secure method for receiving them.
Attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent?
Different tax professionals can serve different roles. Attorneys can provide legal advice and may offer attorney-client privilege in qualifying communications. CPAs often focus on accounting, financial reporting, tax preparation, and tax advice. Enrolled agents are federally authorized tax practitioners who may represent taxpayers before the IRS. Complex matters can involve more than one profession.
Use primary sources
For deadlines, forms, filing instructions, and current federal tax procedures, consult the IRS and other government sources directly. For Virginia professional standing, use the Virginia State Bar directory. Directory profiles are a research aid rather than a substitute for current primary records.