Corporate Tax Attorney: Tips for Finding One That's Right for You
 While
it is very important to have a corporate tax attorney to handle
specialized tax issues when you're in need them, it is even more
important that you have the right corporate tax attorney.
This
is a person who you are going to be relying on to take care of your
special needs, and keep you in compliance with all of the changing tax
codes and regulations.
While there is no way to guarantee
the quality of your corporate tax attorney, there are some areas you
can look at that will weed out the weak candidates and improve the odds
of having a skilled person in your corner.
1. Level of education
While
a higher level of education does not necessarily make a person a better
corporate tax attorney, it does mean that the person is serious about
improving their knowledge of the laws and codes that regulate how your
business needs to operate. There are a couple of things to consider
when looking at an attorney's level of education.
First,
you need to find out what their undergraduate degree is in. Were they
educated in business or accounting, or was their degree in something
totally unrelated? If they have been studying business and accounting
issues all along, it will give them a leg up on attorneys who got into
tax law later.
The
second thing to consider is where the corporate tax attorney earned
their degree. Again, this isn't necessarily an indication of ability,
but more prestigious law schools typically offer a higher level of
education. Regardless of the school, you should make sure that the
school is an accredited law school.
2. Is the attorney admitted to your state's bar?
After
making sure your corporate tax attorney candidate has the right
education, you need to be sure they are able to practice law in your
state. It doesn't do you any good to have a New York corporate tax
attorney if your business is located in Nebraska.
Each state
has a law board that regulates the attorneys practicing in their state.
Make sure the attorney you are considering has passed the bar, and is
able to practice in your state.
3. Professional affiliation
Most
professional organizations have a minimum standard that members must
maintain. This includes certifications, and many times requires
continuing education. By making sure your attorney is a member of one
of these organizations, you are ensured that they are more up to date
on tax laws and regulations.
4. Use personal/professional referrals
 A
good tax attorney should be able to provide you with a list of
professional references. If they are hesitant, or refuse to give you
those references, you should question their ability. Most successful
tax attorneys will be willing to provide you contact information from
previous clients who they have helped.
There may be an
underlying reason the tax attorney does not want you to speak with
previous clients. They may either be brand new, and haven't had clients
that could recommend them, or they have been unsuccessful. Either way,
you might want to reconsider whether this is the right candidate for
your business. Also keep in mind there may be issues with client
confidentiality, but this shouldn't prevent the attorney from having
any references at all.
5. Does their area of expertise match with your companies area of business?
Some corporate tax attorneys specialize in areas
that do not match what your business does. If you are a local business
you may not need the services of an international tax attorney. The
advice they give may not be what your business needs, and you may end
up paying more than is necessary for their services.
Having
the right tax attorney can save you a lot of money and frustration, and
keep you out of trouble. The trick is to make sure you have the right
person chosen before you are desperate for help. Do your research and
the odds are better that you'll have the right corporate tax attorney
in your corner when you need one.
You can start your search by checking out the Directory of Attorneys at http://www.attorneyfind.com.
Points to Keep in Mind
- Higher levels of education typically indicate a more in-depth knowledge of tax laws and regulations.
- Many professional organizations require members to continue with their education and meet certain levels of certification.
- Some corporate tax attorneys specialize in areas that are more then your company needs (or can afford).
- Attorneys must pass the bar in a state before they are allowed to practice in that state.
- Successful attorneys should be able to provide you with a list of professional references.
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