Top Vancouver, WA Tax Lawyers

Vancouver, WA Tax FAQs

• Where does the Tax Court hold trial sessions closest to Vancouver, Washington?

  The sole permanently-situated tax court covering Washington and Vancouver is in Seattle. It is Courtroom 4, Nakamura U.S. Courthouse, 1010 5th Avenue (98104).

• Where is the low-income taxpayer clinic that is closest to Vancouver, Washington?

  The NYSAD Low Income Taxpayer Clinic is at 108 SE 124th Ave, Suite #14, Vancouver, WA 98684.

• Should a taxpayer in Vancouver who has received a letter from the IRS wait before contracting the services of a lawyer?

  No, a taxpayer in Vancouver who has received a letter from the IRS should not delay before obtaining the services of a lawyer. At this point, the revenue service is gearing up to investigate one's potential tax liabilities and is willing to take the case to civil and criminal court if need be. Failure can result in a damaged credit score at best and home loss at worst.

• Do accountants in Vancouver have a professional duty of confidentiality when it comes to communications with clients?

  No, accountants in Vancouver are not covered by confidentiality rules when communicating with clients. The IRS is entitled to subpoena whatever letters and conversations have transpired between a taxpayer and a bookkeeper. The solution is to contract a lawyer who is also an accountant or to have the lawyer subcontract the accountant. That would place the correspondences within the reach of attorney-client privilege.

• What should a taxpayer in Vancouver do if there isn't enough money to pay a tax but the return is due?

  A taxpayer in Vancouver who has taxes due but insufficient money should file the return. It is much cheaper to pay a penalty for late payment than for late filing. Having a return on file is also required for one to take advantage of offers in compromise or installment payments later on.

• What field of law are tax attorneys in Vancouver also likely to dabble in?

  Tax attorneys in Vancouver are likely to cross-train in business and corporate law because there are numerous tax considerations to keep in mind when setting up a corporation or partnership. Changes in the projected income and expenses following a merger or acquisition can dramatically change a company's dues. Inheritance law training is also likely because tax minimization is a huge part of estate planning.

• How often should businesses in Vancouver pay their sales taxes?

  Businesses in Vancouver have to pay their sales taxes annually, quarterly, or monthly. As a general rule, the more income a company makes per year, the more often it has to submit returns. For a venture that generates below $1,050 a year, the filing basis is yearly. If the inflow is from $1,050 to $4,800, the period is quarterly. If the enterprise earns over $4,800, the reporting is monthly.