When you’re facing an IRS problem, stress and urgency can cloud your judgment. Unfortunately, this is exactly when scammers and unqualified practitioners prey on desperate taxpayers. I’ve seen cases where someone claimed to be admitted to Tax Court and attempted to file a petition on behalf of a client, only to have it rejected because they weren’t legally authorized to practice before Tax Court.
Before you write a check to any tax attorney, take time to verify their credentials. These three essential checks will protect you from hiring someone who can’t legally represent you or isn’t the best choice for your situation.
1. Verify Their State Bar License and Good Standing
Every state maintains a public bar license database. Start by searching “[Your State] bar license lookup” or visiting your state bar’s website directly. For example, here’s the link to North Carolina’s database.
When you find the attorney’s profile, check for:
Active License Status – The license should show “active” and “eligible to practice law.” This confirms they’re currently authorized to represent clients.
Admission Date – Compare the date they were admitted to the bar with their claimed years of experience. If someone says they have 10 years of experience but was only admitted 3 years ago, that’s a red flag.
Important Note About Multi-State Practice – Just because an attorney is licensed in one state doesn’t mean they’re licensed everywhere. However, for federal tax matters, an attorney licensed in any state can represent you before the IRS, since federal tax issues involve federal practice. The key requirement is that they’re licensed somewhere and in good standing.
2. Check Tax Court Admission Status
Not every attorney can represent you in U.S. Tax Court. This requires separate admission to the Tax Court bar beyond a state license.
To verify Tax Court admission:
- Visit ustaxcourt.gov
- Click on “Dawson Case Management“
- Navigate to “Practitioner” search
- Enter the attorney’s name
The search results will show their Tax Court bar number, status, and admission date.
Why This Matters Even for Audits
You might think, “I’m just hiring someone for an audit, not a Tax Court case.” But you want an attorney who can represent you through every stage of the process if needed. While most cases resolve at earlier stages, having Tax Court admission ensures:
- Your attorney can take your case all the way if necessary
- They’re serious about tax controversy work
- You won’t need to switch attorneys if your case escalates
Tax Court admission also serves as a credibility signal. General practitioners typically don’t pursue this specialized admission—it demonstrates a commitment to tax controversy practice.
3. Confirm Actual Tax Controversy Experience
Being licensed and admitted to Tax Court doesn’t automatically mean someone has handled tax controversy cases. You need to verify real-world experience.
Review Their Website
Look for specific indicators of tax expertise:
- Credentials beyond the basic law license (CPA, former IRS agent)
- Multiple court admissions (Tax Court, Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Court)
- Clear specialization in tax controversy work
- Professional background and experience details
Warning Sign: The “Do-Everything” Attorney
Be cautious of attorneys who claim to handle everything—tax controversy, estate planning, business law, and more. You want a specialist who focuses exclusively on IRS matters, not someone who handles tax cases occasionally alongside other practice areas.
Check Google Reviews
Search for the attorney or firm on Google and review their ratings. While they don’t need hundreds of reviews, look for:
- Consistent positive feedback
- Evidence of good client results
- Responsiveness and professionalism
- Actual tax controversy case experience
A complete lack of online presence or numerous negative reviews should prompt more questions.
Red Flags to Watch For
During your research and initial consultations, watch for these warning signs:
Credential Secrecy – Legitimate attorneys make their bar license numbers and credentials easy to find. If someone makes it difficult to verify their qualifications, that’s a major red flag.
Bait-and-Switch Tactics – If the attorney you’re speaking with won’t actually work on your case, they may be handing it off to less experienced staff. Always clarify who will handle your matter.
Guaranteed Results – No legitimate attorney can guarantee specific outcomes. Promises like “pennies on the dollar” or “we’ll settle your case for zero” are unrealistic. While contingent fee arrangements tied to actual results can align interests, guaranteed settlements simply don’t exist when dealing with the IRS.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics – Phrases like “sign up today for a discount” or “the IRS will seize your assets tomorrow if you don’t act now” are manipulation tactics. Legitimate attorneys inform you of genuine risks without unnecessary fear-mongering.
Large Upfront Payments – Be wary of demands for substantial payment before the attorney has reviewed any documents or fully understood your case. Reasonable retainers or fees after initial investigation are normal, but thousands of dollars upfront without case review is concerning.
Why This Verification Process Matters
I know this seems like additional work when you’re already stressed about IRS problems. But hiring the wrong tax attorney doesn’t just waste money—it can make your situation significantly worse. Missed deadlines, improperly filed documents, and inexperienced representation can create additional problems that legitimate attorneys must then fix.
A few minutes of verification on the front end can save you substantial headaches, money, and stress on the back end.
What to Do Next
Before hiring any tax attorney, complete these three checks:
- Verify their state bar license and active status
- Confirm their admission to U.S. Tax Court
- Review their actual tax controversy experience and credentials
Legitimate attorneys will have no problem helping you verify this information. If someone becomes defensive or evasive when you ask for these details, that tells you everything you need to know—start looking for a different option.
When you’re ready to hire qualified representation, look for attorneys who are:
- Admitted to all relevant federal courts (Tax Court, Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Court)
- Specialized exclusively in tax controversy work
- Transparent about credentials and experience
- Clear about realistic outcomes without guarantees
Your IRS problem deserves experienced, qualified representation. Take the time to verify credentials, and you’ll have confidence that you’ve hired someone who can legally and effectively advocate for you at every stage of the process.
Need help with an IRS issue? Schedule an initial consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options with a qualified tax attorney who has the credentials and experience to take on the IRS.