Benjamin Franklin is credited with coining the idiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Although Ben was talking about firefighting in Philadelphia, he could just as well have been referencing the modern American tax system.

So what can a tax attorney do for you and why should you consider Allen Barron? Becoming familiar with the ins and outs of the tax code takes years, and the domestic tax code has brought substantial recent revisions which change fundamental domestic tax strategies. There are much fewer deductions for the typical US taxpayer and a new transactional plan is required to ensure minimum tax exposure.

US taxpayers have been lulled into a false sense of security. The prevalence of tax preparation software and the offerings of national tax preparation services seem to make taxes a breeze. The simple reality is this: tax preparation should only be a breeze if you aren’t making a lot of money. If you (and your spouse if applicable) earn above $150,000, have your own business or S Corporation, have international or offshore investments or are living abroad as a U.S. citizen you need an experienced international tax attorney.

What can a tax attorney do for you to reduce taxes and exposure to audits? Getting professional assistance in avoiding tax problems can not only mean value at the outset, it can save you from costly fines and penalties down the road. You may even avoid the hassle and expense of an IRS audit or California tax inquiry entirely, as experienced tax attorneys know how to defuse the red flags that the IRS commonly looks for in deciding who should be audited.