Experienced Tax Litigation Representation
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other taxing authorities have expansive and powerful authority to obtain unpaid taxes. If you or your business has received notice of tax-related litigation correspondence, you need the assistance of an attorney with a deep understanding of tax law and procedure.
Tax Fraud, Collections And More
The firm represents individual and business taxpayers in a wide range of tax litigation issues such as:
- Collections actions from the IRS or other taxing authorities
- Tax liens
- Tax levy and garnishments
- Property seizure
- Tax penalties and interest
- Offers in compromise
- Tax fraud
- Unfiled tax returns
- Payroll taxes and improper classification of employees
Our attorney at Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC, is a skilled litigator with more than 40 years of experience with tax law. He has an advance tax law degree and a strong understanding of Internal Revenue Code (IRC), IRS tax regulations, and all the levels of administrative and federal court tax precedent. This depth of experience provides you with the effective representation you want when dealing with issues of tax audits, collection, back taxes and tax appeals.
Beware Of Payroll Taxes
If you operate a business with employees, you need to be careful when dealing with payroll tax and withholdings. These funds are held in trust for the employees, and you may not use them for any other purpose. The IRS treats businesses as a fiduciary for these funds and many businesses find themselves in difficulty with late or missing payments. Talk to us before you have an issue, and we can help.
Don’t Guess With Tax Law Matters
Tax law is complex and frequently changes. It is easy for important details to be missed as you manage your personal finances or operate a business. Our attorney can advise you with strategies that can protect you from harsh financial consequences and help prevent these issues recurring.
You Have Tax Litigation Questions. We Have Answers.
If you receive a letter from the IRS, you may experience fear and have questions about how your tax controversy may impact your life. Our attorney, Paul Alvestad, has provided answers to three common questions we hear a lot in our office.
What is tax litigation?
Tax litigation is the formal process used to settle a disagreement between you and the government regarding your taxes when you cannot reach an agreement with a tax auditor. If your problem is with the IRS, you will most likely use the U.S. Tax Court, which is a special court where you can often fight your case before you have to pay the disputed bill.
What happens if I fail to properly report a large gift?
If you give a gift of money or property that is worth more than a certain amount, the law requires you to tell the IRS by filing a gift tax return. For the year 2026, that amount is $19,000 for a single person or $38,000 for a married couple. If you fail to file this paperwork, you create a permanent legal problem because the IRS has no time limit to audit an unreported gift. While the IRS usually only has three years to look at your old taxes, they can come after you decades later for a gift you never reported. In Washington, these large gifts can also impact your estate tax later on if your total belongings are worth more than roughly $2.19 million, so keeping accurate records is vital to protect your family’s inheritance.
Can a tax attorney help reduce penalties or liabilities?
Yes, an experienced tax attorney can negotiate with tax authorities, challenge assessments, and work to reduce or eliminate penalties.
One way our attorney can help is by using the Reasonable Cause defense, where he must prove to the IRS that you had a good reason for a mistake, such as a medical emergency or a natural disaster, which can lead them to cancel your penalties. We can also help you apply for an Offer in Compromise, which is a formal deal where the government agrees to accept a smaller payment than what you owe because you cannot afford the full amount.
Don’t Delay! Contact Us Today!
Tax litigation can be very costly. Our lawyer can help with all aspects of tax litigation representation in Tacoma or throughout Washington. Contact our Gig Harbor office online or by calling 253-666-9219.
