The Imperative Role Of An Irs Tax Lawyer: Special Focus On Us Citizens Working In Australia
August 23, 2024

The Critical Function of an IRS Tax Lawyer

An IRS tax lawyer plays a vital role in helping individuals and businesses navigate through the complex labyrinth of United States tax laws. The understanding they bring on the table of the convoluted Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations can be invaluable. Encompassing various taxes – from income, investment, to property taxes – IRS tax lawyers help prevent potentially severe financial penalties and legal ramifications.

Given their expertise in tax law and policy, they are quintessential in offering legal counsel to taxpayers who face an IRS audit, help rectify limited tax returns, and negotiate debt relief. IRS tax lawyers also aid clients in organizing and planning their financial activities to reduce tax burdens. They work hard to ensure that every citizen adheres to tax laws and regulations virtually all through the clock.

What is the importance of an IRS tax lawyer?

The benefits associated with hiring an IRS tax lawyer are exponentially high. From a broader perspective, they help with:

  • Resolution of Tax Issues: IRS tax lawyers can help resolve various tax issues, such as unpaid tax debts, tax liens, wage garnishments, etc. They help settle your tax debt by negotiating an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or set up an installment agreement with the IRS. They also help release liens and stop wage garnishment by negotiating with the IRS.
  • Prevention of Errors: The IRS tax laws are intricate and constantly changing. Working with a professional IRS tax lawyer can prevent severe errors that could lead to an audit or notice from the IRS. Furthermore, if mistakes are made, these professionals can help rectify the situation swiftly and efficiently.
  • Tax Planning: An IRS tax lawyer can help businesses, and individuals create strategic tax plans. They help to ensure that transactions such as a real estate purchase or sale, business mergers, or acquisitions are structured in the most tax-efficient way.

The Special Case of a US Citizen Working in Australia: What Are the Tax Implications?

Working overseas brings its own complexities regarding tax compliance. US citizen working in Australia tax implications play a part in this context. Citizenship-based taxation in the United States means that U.S. citizens are liable to pay taxes on their global income, which poses serious implications for those residing in Australia.

An IRS tax lawyer well versed in international tax law can guide American expatriates in Australia through the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), and treaty-based protection benefits that the IRS offers. While the FEIE allows U.S. citizens to exclude a certain amount of their foreign earnings from their U.S. taxable income, the FTC provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for foreign taxes paid.

Sometimes, double taxation might occur where taxes need to be paid in both countries on the same income. An IRS tax lawyer can guide through the U.S.–Australia income tax treaty, which is designed to mitigate double taxation events.

Without the proper guidance of an IRS tax lawyer, U.S. citizens working in Australia could end up paying more taxes than required, or worse, facing penalties for non-compliance with IRS laws and regulations.

In conclusion, IRS tax lawyers play a vital role in navigating through the complicated tax terrain. With their deep understanding of domestic and international tax laws, they help in solving IRS issues and avoiding penalties, making them an indispensable resource for the U.S. citizens working home or abroad.