When to Hire a Tax Attorney vs. a CPA in Georgia
Choosing between a tax attorney in Atlanta and a CPA matters the moment a notice, audit, lien, or levy appears—your first step should match the risk. If you’re weighing filing help versus legal defense, this guide tells you exactly when to hire a tax attorney and when a CPA is the better fit.
For fast, confidential help from a former IRS attorney, start with the Law Office of Max Benkel.
When to Hire a Tax Attorney in Atlanta
Use this checklist to decide when your situation calls for the best tax attorney in Atlanta who can bring legal privilege and negotiation to the forefront:
- You received an IRS or Georgia DOR audit notice, IDR, 30-day letter, or Statutory Notice of Deficiency (90-day letter).
- A lien, levy, wage garnishment, or Final Notice of Intent to Levy has been issued or is imminent.
- You need attorney-client privilege for sensitive facts, potential willfulness, or parallel civil/criminal exposure.
- You’re pursuing an Offer in Compromise, partial-pay installment agreement, penalty abatement, lien withdrawal/subordination, or appeal.
- Trust-fund payroll liability, responsible-person assessments, or personal exposure from a business tax debt are on the table.
- You plan to challenge audit findings at IRS Appeals or in court, or coordinate federal and Georgia collections.
- You want legal strategy to lead CPA work so filings, financials, and submissions align with defense goals.
When notices, liens, levies, or an audit are in play, a tax attorney in Atlanta should lead so privilege, procedure, and negotiation protect you at every step.
When to Hire a CPA (Compliance, Filings, and Ongoing Accounting)
Refer to the points below when your needs are primarily compliance, recordkeeping, and accurate return preparation supported by year-round accounting:
- Annual and quarterly tax filing, estimated taxes, and routine extensions for individuals and businesses.
- Day-to-day bookkeeping, reconciliations, payroll, sales/use tax returns, and GAAP-level financial statements.
- Non-adversarial amended returns to correct math/omissions when no dispute with the IRS or Georgia DOR is expected.
- Year-round tax planning, basis tracking, depreciation elections, and entity-level accounting support.
- Gathering business records and ledgers to support attorney-led audits, appeals, or collection negotiations.
For accurate returns, books, payroll, and sales/use compliance, a CPA is the right fit—keeping your numbers clean and your risk profile low. If an inquiry escalates beyond routine notices, loop in top-rated Atlanta tax attorneys so they can direct strategy while your CPA supplies documentation.
Schedule a Confidential Case Review Before Hiring
The Law Office of Max Benkel unites legal privilege, precise filings, and negotiation to resolve audits, assessments, and tax liens in Georgia—grounded in IRS rules for exams and collections and Georgia’s lien systems. Contact us today to speak with an Atlanta tax attorney who handles audits and collections start-to-finish.
