Tax Lawyer Annapolis, MD

Table Of Contents

• Your Dedicated Tax Attorney
• Providing Solutions to Your Tax Issues
• Common Myths About Taxes
• Annapolis Tax Law Infographic
• Annapolis Tax Law Statistics
• Annapolis Tax Law FAQs
• Contact Our Annapolis Tax Lawyer Today

How Our Tax Lawyer Can Help You

Crepeau Mourges offers a wide range of tax-related services, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support tailored to their specific needs. Their areas of practice include:

• Tax Planning and Compliance: Crafting strategies to minimize tax liabilities and ensure adherence to federal, state, and local tax laws.
• Tax Controversy and Disputes: Representing clients in disputes with the IRS and other tax authorities, including audits, appeals, and litigation.
• Business Taxation: Advising businesses on tax planning, compliance, and dispute resolution, including issues related to mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings.
• Estate and Gift Taxation: Assisting clients with estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, and gift tax compliance to minimize tax burdens on heirs.
• International Taxation: Providing guidance on cross-border tax issues, including expatriation, foreign income reporting, and compliance with international tax treaties.
• Tax Fraud and Criminal Defense: Defending clients accused of tax fraud or facing criminal tax investigations and prosecutions.
• Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation: Advising on the tax implications of employee benefits, retirement plans, and executive compensation packages.
• State and Local Taxation: Navigating state and local tax regulations, including sales tax, property tax, and income tax matters.
• Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organizations: Assisting nonprofit organizations with obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status, as well as compliance with related regulations.

If You Are Behind on Taxes

If you have yet to file tax returns for a certain year, then it’s no surprise to hear that the IRS is probably making your life miserable. Not only does the Internal Revenue Service continue to inflict penalties and interest on those who have back taxes, but they may go to great lengths to interfere with that person’s life. And, the IRS can file a tax return on a person’s behalf and make collection attempts on the amount due, even if it’s way more than what they would have owed in the first place. 

Sometimes, the best route to handling such a tricky situation is to hire a lawyer who understands how the tax system works and can use this knowledge to your benefit. We understand that life can get hard, and you may not have the funds to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars in taxes all at once. Especially in recent years with COVID and other worldly events, we may not have the financial footing that we would have had if the times were better. 

We routinely help clients in becoming compliant with the IRS and submitting any number of returns that are past due. We can assist you in getting this debt resolved and advocating for your behalf. When meeting with a member of our legal team, prospective clients may ask us what happens if they lost their income documentation. In most situations, it won’t pose a serious problem. We can locate and obtain your income and wages transcripts that show us the information we need to help.

Based on how many years of back taxes you have, you may need to do more than simply submit your tax returns. You may be happy to learn that you actually are entitled to a refund that you would have otherwise missed out on. But the only way to get a realistic picture of what handling back taxes will look like for you is to get help from a lawyer who can guide you through this process. Organizing your taxes may sound overwhelming, but it’s better to set it right and current so you can slowly pay them off instead of feeling the daily burden of back taxes you haven’t dealt with yet. If you aren’t sure if now is the time to finally get your overdue taxes handled, here are signs that you probably should:

• The stress of knowing you have back taxes causes you stress everyday
• The IRS keeps pestering you relentlessly
• You have received late penalties or other fees that just keep accruing

The IRS has begun collection efforts for your taxes (even if you haven’t filed the return yet)

A tax lawyer is there to help you understand the complicated tax laws that come with these scenarios. Often they can help make your life a little easier, as you know you won’t have to be handing these things alone and risking an easy mistake. The laws are difficult to understand if you don’t have a background in them, but a lawyer does. This is why you shouldn’t ever handle a difficult tax issue on your own.

 If you or someone you know is going through the need to find a tax lawyer in Annapolis, MD, then reach out to the team at Crepeau Mourges to find out what we can do to help you today. 

Death and Taxes

Many people think that once an individual dies, so too does their obligation to pay the government anything in taxes. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Any income tax that they owed the government while they were alive will still be owed even though they have died. There is also the potential for the decedent’s estate to now owe inheritance or estate taxes.

If a person is not well versed in tax law, knowing what types of taxes may be owed can be confusing. This is why it is always a smart idea to consult with an experienced Annapolis, MD tax lawyer to make sure that you and your family are fully protected from any issues the IRS may claim you have.

Filing Income Taxes for an Estate

When a person dies, one of the duties of the executor the estate must address is filing a tax return in order to report any income the decedent had earned during the time period from the last time they filed income taxes up to the day they died. If the decedent had failed to file tax returns for any prior years, the executor must also file returns for those years, as well.

As an Annapolis, MD tax lawyer can explain, when it comes to any back taxes the decedent owed to the IRS, there is a statute of limitation in place of how long the agency can pursue collection of those taxes. The agency has 10 years from the date the agency assessed that tax obligation. The IRS may also audit a decedent’s taxes after they have passed, however, there is a statute of limitation for that action, as well. They only have three years unless the return underreports the decedent’s income by 25 percent or more. In these cases, the statute of limitation is pushed to six years.

The executor is also required to report any income the estate itself may generate if that amount is more than $600 per year. For example, if the decedent owned rental property, the income that comes in each month in the form of rent needs to be reported to the IRS and taxes may need to be paid on that amount, depending on what type of deductions the estate is entitled to take. These taxes must be paid out of the estate before the estate is distributed to the heirs named in the decedent’s will.

Providing Solutions to Your Tax Issues

Crepeau Mourges provides tailored solutions to address the unique tax issues faced by individuals and businesses in Annapolis, MD. Their expertise and local knowledge ensure that clients receive effective and efficient resolution to their tax concerns.

Personalized Tax Strategies

Understanding that every client’s tax situation is unique, Crepeau Mourges develops personalized tax strategies that align with individual financial goals and circumstances. Whether you are dealing with complex business transactions or personal tax matters, their customized approach ensures optimal results.

Expert Audit Representation

Facing an IRS audit can be stressful and time-consuming. Crepeau Mourges offers expert audit representation, guiding you through the process and protecting your rights. Their experienced attorneys handle all communications with the IRS, ensuring a thorough and professional response to audit inquiries.

Effective Dispute Resolution

Tax disputes can arise from various issues, including discrepancies in tax returns, alleged underreporting of income, or disagreements over deductions. Crepeau Mourges specializes in resolving these disputes efficiently, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.

Comprehensive Compliance Services

Staying compliant with tax laws is crucial to avoid penalties and interest. Crepeau Mourges assists clients in maintaining compliance through accurate and timely filing of tax returns and other required documentation. Their proactive approach helps prevent future tax issues and ensures peace of mind.

Strategic Tax Planning

Effective tax planning can lead to significant savings and a reduction in tax liabilities. Crepeau Mourges’ attorneys work with clients to develop strategic tax plans that take advantage of available deductions, credits, and tax incentives, ensuring optimal tax outcomes.

Defense Against Tax Fraud Allegations

If you are accused of tax fraud, it is essential to have a strong legal defense. Crepeau Mourges provides robust representation for clients facing criminal tax investigations, working diligently to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.

Assistance with Complex Transactions

Business transactions, especially those involving mergers, acquisitions, or international dealings, can have significant tax implications. Crepeau Mourges offers expert guidance on structuring these transactions to minimize tax liabilities and ensure compliance with relevant laws.

Common Myths About Taxes

As most people know, paying taxes is just a part of life. However, that doesn’t mean that dealing with your taxes and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can’t be confusing. There’s certainly a lot of misinformation. Here are a few common myths about taxes that you shouldn’t believe.

• People always go to jail for unpaid taxes

Unfortunately, this is one of the most common misconceptions about taxes. While owing taxes can be quite stressful, it usually won’t land you in jail. If you simply forget to file your taxes or pay them late, the IRS likely won’t criminally prosecute you. People can, however, face jail time if they knowingly commit tax evasion. Although you might not be sentenced to jail for not paying your taxes, you can face other penalties, like fines.

• If you owe back taxes, entering into a payment plan is your only option

Payment plans are certainly a common way to deal with tax debt, but they aren’t the only option. If you have tax debts, you may qualify for certain programs. For instance, may be eligible for an Offer in Compromise, which allows you to pay your tax debt for less than you know. An experienced tax lawyer can inform you of all your options.

• If you file an extension, you have more time to pay your taxes

This isn’t true either. Filing an extension just gives you more time to file your taxes, not additional time to pay them. If you don’t pay your taxes by the deadline, you may receive penalties.

• You can claim your pets as dependents

Although you may think of your pets as members of your family, you are not allowed to claim them on your taxes. Pets are considered property under the eyes of the law. Attempting to claim on your taxes can be considered fraud.

• If you don’t make a high income, you can’t get audited

Some people assume that they can only get audited by the IRS if they make a six-figure salary. This just isn’t the case. Even if you don’t make a lot of money, the IRS would audit you if they notice red flags.

• Your tax preparer is responsible for mistakes on your tax returns

Even if you hire a professional to prepare your taxes, you will be the one liable for errors on your return. As such, you should double check the paperwork for any mistakes.