Best Tax Lawyers in Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria, CA Tax FAQs

• Where does the Tax Court hold trial sessions closest to Santa Maria, California?

  The nearest place of trial to Santa Maria is located in Edward R. Roybal Center & Federal Building, Rooms 1167 and 1174, 255 E. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90012.

• Where is the low-income taxpayer clinic that is closest to Santa Maria, California?

  The nearest low-income taxpayer clinic to Santa Maria is the Cal Poly Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in San Luis Obispo, CA. You can reach the LITC at (877) 318-6772 (toll-free), or (805) 756-5725 (Spanish line). You can also email the clinic at litc@calpoly.edu.

• Can you go to prison if you are convicted of criminal tax fraud or evasion in Santa Maria?

  Yes. Criminal tax fraud and evasion in Santa Maria is a misdemeanor punishable by $1,000-$5,000 in fines and up to one year in county jail. This is in accordance with California Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 7152-7153.5. However, if the underreported tax liability in the case exceeds $25,000, the charge becomes a felony. If convicted of this felony, the person faces a $5,000-$20,000 fine and up to three years in prison.

• What is the statute of limitations for the IRS to assess your tax return and collect owed taxes in Santa Maria?

  The IRS should assess deficiencies within three years of the filing of the tax return. The statute of limitations for the assessment is lifted if fraud is suspected or you did not file a tax return. When it comes to collecting unpaid taxes in Santa Maria, the IRS has a 10-year window starting from the date of assessment. If you are in bankruptcy or have a payment agreement with the IRS, this period can be extended.

• Does it mean serious trouble if the IRS is conducting a correspondence audit on your taxes in Santa Maria?

  Not necessarily. There are three kinds of audits: correspondence, office, and at-home. A correspondence audit is the least serious and is caused by insufficient documentation. You can simply send the documents to the IRS. Office audits entail bringing documents and responding to inquiries at the Santa Maria IRS office. At-home audits are the most serious, with the IRS auditor collecting documentation and information directly from the taxpayer. Consult a tax attorney to understand your rights during an audit.

• Can a tax preparer get in trouble with the IRS in Santa Maria?

  Yes. In Santa Maria, tax preparers who violate the law may face civil penalties, censure, suspension, or disbarment. A tax preparer can be fined $250 for an understatement on a client's tax return that should have been detected through due diligence. A $1,000 fine can be imposed for flagrant disregard for regulations. If you are a tax preparer who has been referred to the IRS office for a violation, you should hire a tax attorney to protect your rights.

• What should you do if you have not filed your tax returns for many years in Santa Maria?

  Begin by filing them with the assistance of a tax attorney. Non-filing of tax returns is still a crime, even though it is rarely prosecuted. You won't have to file for all of the tax years you skipped, just the last six. After filing the missing returns, your Santa Maria tax attorney can assist you in reducing the penalties and paying off the back taxes in manageable amounts.