Cost-Effective Help For Tax Appeals

If the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has audited you or your business’s financial records, it may determine that you owe additional tax. People sometimes may not know that they can appeal the IRS’s determination. At Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC, our attorney has handled many complex tax controversies for clients throughout Washington.

More Than 40 Years Of Tax Experience

Our lawyer, Paul Alvestad, has been working with complex tax and financial matters since the 1980s and representing businesses and individuals who have been identified by the IRS as having unpaid or delinquent taxes. He has an advanced tax law degree in addition to over four decades of helping clients with tax law matters.

We make a careful examination of your audit or collections action, explain the IRS’s position and your options, and then work to develop a strategy to minimize your taxes and resolve your appeal.

Tax Collection Appeals Process

• Tax appeals begin as an administrative proceeding with the IRS Office of Appeals. This office is independent of the IRS office that made the tax determination. It attempts to settle disagreements between taxpayers and the IRS without a traditional trial proceeding.
• Your case will be examined by an appeals officer who examines issues involving disputed audits, collections litigation, offers in compromise, assessable taxes or trust fund penalties, and other issues of contention.
• This process is complex, and errors or mistakes can be costly. Our experienced tax lawyer can provide the counsel and representation you need to resolve your dispute efficiently and in a cost-effective fashion.

Need-To-Know Answers To Tax Appeals Questions

Tax appeals are a valuable instrument if you have been assessed extra taxes after an IRS audit. Our attorney has provided a few answers to the basics of tax appeals.

What is a tax appeal?

A tax appeal is a formal request asking a higher level of the government to review a decision made by a tax auditor that you disagree with. It acts as a “second opinion” to ensure the law was followed correctly. In the federal system, your case is moved to the IRS Independent Office of Appeals.

In Washington state, if your dispute is about business or sales tax, you typically start with a review by the Department of Revenue’s Administrative Appeals Division. This process allows you to present new evidence or argue that the auditor misinterpreted Washington’s specific tax rules without having to go straight to a judge.

Do I have to go to court to appeal a tax decision?

Not necessarily, and in fact, most taxpayers never see the inside of a courtroom. The vast majority of tax disputes are settled through “administrative appeals,” which are essentially structured meetings between you (or your lawyer) and an appeals officer. The goal of these meetings is to reach a settlement that is fair to both you and the government. In 2026, both the IRS and Washington state have created “fast-track” settlement programs to help resolve simple disagreements in months rather than years. However, if you cannot reach an agreement during these meetings, you still have the right to take your case to the U.S. Tax Court or the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.

How long do I have to file a tax appeal?

Deadlines are strict and vary depending on the type of tax and jurisdiction, so timely action is critical. For most IRS disputes, you have 30 days from the date on your notice to file a formal protest. If you miss this window, you may lose your right to an administrative appeal and be forced to go to court instead.

In Washington, you also generally have a 30-day window to appeal a Department of Revenue decision to the Board of Tax Appeals. Because these dates are calculated from the day the letter was mailed, not the day you received it, you must act the moment you open your mail.

Contact Us Today!

Tax appeals have strict deadlines. Our lawyer can help you or your business deal with appealing a tax case in Tacoma or throughout Washington. Contact our Gig Harbor office by calling 253-666-9219 or by using our online contact form.