Schedule a consultation with a Hanover employment taxes lawyer backed by 40 years of combined experience.
If you own a business in Hanover and you’ve fallen behind on payroll taxes, or the IRS has started asking who controlled the company’s funds, it is important to take action now to mitigate liability. Our Hanover, MD employment taxes lawyer handles communications between you and the agency, explains what you are actually facing, and works toward a resolution before penalties increase. At Crepeau Mourges, our founding partners bring 40 years of combined experience in tax controversy. We represent employers, company owners, and the individuals the IRS holds personally responsible. Call to schedule a free consultation.
Employment Taxes Lawyer Hanover, MD
What is an employment tax matter, and why does it draw such aggressive enforcement?
Employment taxes are the amounts an employer withholds from worker paychecks and pays over to the government, along with the employer’s own share. They cover federal income tax withholding, Social Security, and Medicare. When a business withholds these funds but fails to remit them, the IRS treats it differently than an ordinary unpaid bill. The money was never the company’s to keep.
That distinction is why our Hanover employment tax attorneys see the agency act fast on these cases. The IRS can pursue not just the business but the individuals who decided which bills got paid. We handle the dispute side of these matters, communicating directly with revenue officers and working to limit who ends up liable and for how much.
Types of Employment Tax Cases We Handle in Hanover
Employers in Hanover come to us at different stages. Some are still current but worried. Others already have a revenue officer assigned and a deadline set. Below are the matters our employment tax lawyers handle most often.
- Trust fund recovery penalties. The IRS can shift unpaid withholding liability onto individuals it considers responsible. We defend owners, officers, and bookkeepers against trust fund recovery penalty assessments, challenging both responsibility and willfulness.
- Unpaid payroll tax assessments. Falling behind on payroll deposits compounds with penalties and interest at a steep rate. We negotiate with the IRS to resolve the balance through installment agreements or other collection alternatives that keep the business open.
- Employment tax reporting. Filing errors and late returns invite scrutiny that owners rarely expect. Our employment tax reporting attorneys correct filings and respond to assessments tied to Form 941 and related returns.
- Worker classification issues. Treating a worker as an independent contractor instead of an employee can produce years of back employment tax. We represent businesses in classification audits and pursue available relief where the facts support it.
- Payroll tax audits. A federal examination of payroll records can expand quickly once an auditor finds a problem. Our IRS tax audit attorneys manage these examinations and respond to document requests on the employer’s behalf.
- Tax liens. When employment tax debt goes unpaid, the IRS can file a lien against business assets. Our tax lien attorneys work to release or subordinate liens so the company can still operate and obtain financing.
- Fraud. Willful failure to pay over withheld taxes can move from a civil matter to a criminal one. Our tax fraud lawyers defend employers when an investigation turns in that direction.
Why Choose Crepeau Mourges for Employment Taxes in Hanover, MD?
Tax Controversy Is the Core of Our Practice
Our firm was built by two attorneys whose work centers on tax disputes. Brian J. Crepeau is a founding partner handling federal and state tax controversy for individual and corporate taxpayers. His practice covers taxation, income analysis, and business structures. He holds a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and a degree in Management Science-Accounting from Bridgewater State University. His accounting training makes a meaningful difference in tax audit cases.
Brandon N. Mourges is also a founding partner. He represents individuals and businesses facing complex financial issues. He earned an LL.M. in Taxation and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, along with a degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American Association of Attorney-CPAs and the Federal Bar Association. His recognition includes a Rising Star designation from Super Lawyers and a place on the “40 & Under Hot List” from Benchmark Litigation.
A Record Across Tax and Business Matters
Our founders bring 40 years of combined work in tax controversy and business representation. We have handled matters for employers, company owners, estates, and both foreign and domestic clients. Mr. Mourges also volunteers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at Fort Meade, and he speaks and writes frequently on tax and white-collar matters.
We offer free consultations for employment tax matters. That gives an employer a clear picture of the exposure, and the options, before committing to anything.
Understanding Employment Taxes
Key Concepts in Employment Tax Law Cases
Employment tax problems follow a few recognizable patterns. Understanding the basic concepts helps an owner see where a case is heading.
- Withholding obligation. The employer’s duty is to collect tax from wages and pay it to the government.
- Trust fund portion. The withheld amount the law treats as held in trust for the United States.
- Responsible person. An individual with authority over which financial obligations the business pays.
- Willfulness. A knowing or reckless failure to pay over the withheld funds.
- Assessment. The IRS’s formal determination that a person or business owes a specific amount.
- Collection alternatives. Installment agreements and other arrangements that resolve a balance over time.
What Are Important Aspects of an Employment Tax Case?
How an employer responds in the early stages tends to shape the entire outcome of the case. The IRS interview that determines responsible-person status often happens before owners realize how much is riding on it.
- Payroll records and bank signature authority documents matter from day one.
- Identifying who actually controlled payments can narrow personal liability.
- Prompt responses to a revenue officer keep options open.
- Getting current on present deposits strengthens any resolution request.
What Is the Employment Tax Case Timeline?
A straightforward balance may resolve in a few months, while a contested trust fund recovery penalty takes considerably longer. A general sequence looks like this:
- The IRS assigns a revenue officer or sends a notice of unpaid employment tax.
- The agency interviews potentially responsible individuals.
- Counsel responds, submits records, and challenges the proposed assessment.
- The matter resolves through agreement, appeal, or litigation.
- A payment plan or other collection arrangement is finalized.
What Should You Bring to Your Employment Tax Consultation?
Bringing the right documents lets us assess your exposure accurately. Helpful items include:
- Any IRS notices regarding unpaid payroll tax or a proposed penalty.
- Recent Form 941 filings and payroll records.
- Bank records showing who had signature authority.
- A list of the company’s officers and their duties.
During the consultation, we will go through what you bring, explain where the case stands, and lay out the realistic paths forward. You will leave with a direct answer about your next step.
What Are Important Maryland Legal Resources for Employment Tax Cases?
Federal and Maryland agencies publish guidance that helps employers understand their obligations. These resources point owners toward the rules rather than serving as legal advice.
- The IRS employment taxes page explains federal withholding and deposit duties.
- The IRS trust fund recovery penalty page describes how personal liability is assessed.
- The IRS small business tax center covers broader employer obligations.
- The Comptroller of Maryland business taxes page addresses state withholding requirements.
- The IRS appeals office page outlines how to contest an assessment.
Reach Out to Crepeau Mourges to Schedule a Consultation
If your business is facing an employment tax problem in Hanover, our attorneys are ready to help. We offer free consultations, and we will give you an honest read on your exposure and the options available to resolve it. Contact us to schedule a time to speak with our firm.
