The top-rated tax relief attorneie in Kahului, Hawaii is H&R Block, rated 4.7 stars across 289 reviews. Other highly rated options include Lowenthal & Lowenthal LLLC, Maui Law LLLC, Liberty Tax. This directory lists 13 tax relief attorneies serving Kahului.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H&R Block | 110 E Kaahumanu Ave Ste 105 | (808) 877-8773 |
| 2 | Lowenthal & Lowenthal LLLC | 122 Maa St | (808) 242-5000 |
| 3 | Maui Law LLLC | 415 Ala Makani St | (808) 646-2465 |
| 4 | Liberty Tax | 285 W Kaahumanu Ave Suite 102 | (808) 214-9036 |
| 5 | Scott Law Firm | 153 E Kamehameha Ave Ste 104 | (808) 500-3570 |
| 6 | Aloha Accounting & Tax LLC | 151 E Wakea Ave #203 | (808) 875-9700 |
| 7 | Khalsa CPA Services LLC | 135 S Wakea Ave Suite 108 | (808) 871-8822 |
| 8 | Erin Lowenthal, Attorney at Law | 122 Maa St B | (808) 242-5000 |
| 9 | Levin & Tabon LLP, CPAs | 140 Hoohana St Suite 210 | (808) 270-1070 |
| 10 | Navarro-Buckingham LLLC | 360 Hoohana St A103 | (808) 873-5900 |
H&R Block serves Ewa Beach and surrounding Hawaii communities, handling tax relief matters such as IRS tax debt resolution, wage garnishment release, and unfiled tax return assistance. The firm helps clients who owe back taxes negotiate payment plans or settle liabilities with the IRS. To tackle a typical case, the company first reviews all financial documents and previous tax filings to determine the best path for resolving the client’s outstanding tax obligation.
Lowenthal & Lowenthal LLLC serves the Kahului, Hawaii metro area, providing tax relief attorney services to individuals and businesses facing tax disputes. The firm assists clients with resolving tax debts and navigating complex issues with state and local authorities. Typical engagements include negotiating installment agreements and managing offers in compromise to reduce tax liabilities. Their practice also handles lien removals and penalty abatement requests.
Maui Law LLLC in Kahului, Hawaii, handles a range of tax relief matters including IRS negotiations, audit representation, and tax debt resolution. The firm offers ongoing client support to ensure compliance with tax obligations and maintain proper records. Services cover both residential and commercial properties in the local area. The firm works with single-family homes, apartments, retail spaces, and restaurants.
Liberty Tax provides a range of tax relief services in Kahului, Hawaii, focusing on resolving tax disputes with federal and state authorities. Its service plans typically involve negotiating settlements, such as offers in compromise or installment agreements, and providing ongoing representation for clients dealing with back taxes or audits. The firm assists homeowners with tax liens on single-family homes and apartments, as well as commercial properties including retail spaces and restaurants across the island.
Scott Law Firm serves homeowners and business owners in Kahului who are facing tax challenges with the IRS or state of Hawaii. The firm works on resolving tax liens, levies, and wage garnishments through negotiation or relief programs. It also assists clients with unfiled returns and offers representation during audits or collections. The attorneys handle complex tax debt issues for clients across Kahului. The firm’s services extend to neighboring communities throughout Maui County, including Wailuku.
Aloha Accounting & Tax LLC serves clients in Kahului and the surrounding communities of Maui, including Wailuku and Kihei. The company handles federal and state tax disputes, IRS negotiations, and offers assistance with wage garnishments and tax liens. It also manages delinquent return filings and offers representation for audits. Its general approach begins with a thorough review of each client’s tax situation, then develops a strategy for resolution or payment arrangement.
For clients facing one-time tax liabilities or those needing ongoing resolution support, Khalsa CPA Services LLC in Kahului, HI offers tax relief attorney services. The firm addresses local disputes including wage garnishments and tax levies from state and federal authorities. Their assistance covers audit representation and negotiation of payment plans or offers in compromise. Service is available on an as-needed basis, allowing clients to engage only when specific tax problems arise.
As a tax relief attorney, Erin Lowenthal in Kahului, HI focuses on resolving tax debts and negotiating with tax authorities to reduce penalties and interest. This legal practice handles general tax issues such as filing delinquent returns, stopping wage garnishments, and lifting bank levies. For individuals or businesses on Maui who have received a notice of an impending tax lien, this office offers representation to address that serious financial concern.
Levin & Tabon LLP, CPAs provides tax resolution services for individuals and businesses facing government liens or unfiled returns. As a Tax Relief Attorney in Kahului, HI, the firm addresses wage garnishments and tax debts. Their practice involves negotiating settlements with taxing authorities to reduce outstanding liabilities. They assist commercial operations such as local offices, warehouses, and food service entities through formal appeals and compliance strategies to manage their tax obligations.
Navarro-Buckingham LLLC serves homeowners, small-business owners, and property managers across Kahului, Hawaii who are navigating federal or state tax debt, IRS liens, or levies. The firm offers consultation on offers in compromise, penalty abatement, and installment agreement negotiation to help clients resolve outstanding liabilities and achieve compliance. Each case receives a focused review to determine the most appropriate resolution strategy for the individual financial situation. The firm also represents clients in neighboring Wailuku and throughout central Maui.
What Does a a Tax Relief Attorney in Kahului Cost?
Typical costs for a tax relief attorney in Hawaii range from $3,000 to $10,000 in flat fees for standard representation, with more complex cases involving audits or litigation reaching $15,000 or higher. Hourly billing is less common but can run $300 to $600 per hour, and many attorneys require an initial retainer of $1,500 to $5,000 before beginning work. Some firms offer unbundled services, such as a one-time consultation for $500 to $1,000, where the attorney reviews your situation and provides a written strategy without taking over the case.
Payment arrangements vary by firm, but most tax relief attorneys in Kahului accept credit cards and may offer installment plans for their own fees. You should always request a written fee agreement detailing the scope of services and any additional costs for filing fees, certified mail, or court appearances. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice; you should consult a licensed Hawaii attorney for advice specific to your tax situation.
About tax relief attorneies in Kahului
Tax relief attorneys in Kahului, Hawaii serve individuals and businesses facing serious tax collection actions from both the Internal Revenue Service and the Hawaii Department of Taxation. These legal professionals handle a wide range of tax problems, including unresolved back taxes, ongoing IRS audits, filed tax liens, active tax levies on bank accounts or wages, and garnishment of income. Common resolution tools include offers in compromise to settle debts for less than the full amount owed, installment agreements for structured monthly payments, and penalty abatement requests to reduce or eliminate assessed penalties. For residents of Maui County, understanding the interplay between federal and state tax obligations is critical, as Hawaii imposes its own tax code with distinct enforcement powers and collection timelines.
Federal tax issues often begin when the IRS sends a series of notices demanding payment. After the initial notice, the IRS may file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, which attaches to all property you own or acquire, damaging your credit and making it difficult to sell assets. If the debt remains unpaid, the IRS can issue a levy, seizing funds from your bank account or garnishing your wages directly from your employer. The statute of limitations on federal tax collections is generally 10 years from the date of assessment, though certain actions like filing for bankruptcy or submitting an offer in compromise can pause this clock. Innocent spouse relief is available for married taxpayers who filed joint returns but should not be held liable for their spouse's tax errors or omissions. For those with no ability to pay, the IRS offers currently not collectible status, which temporarily halts collection activity while the 10-year statute continues to run.
State tax issues in Hawaii are handled by the Hawaii Department of Taxation, which has its own enforcement mechanisms separate from the IRS. The state can file tax liens, levy bank accounts, and garnish wages without needing a court order. Hawaii imposes specific penalties for late filing, late payment, and failure to pay estimated taxes, which can add up to 25 percent or more of the underlying tax liability. The state also offers its own offer in compromise program, known as the Hawaii Offer in Compromise, which allows qualifying taxpayers to settle state tax debts for less than the full amount. However, Hawaii's program has stricter eligibility requirements than the federal version, often requiring a showing of doubt as to liability or doubt as to collectibility. State tax liens in Hawaii are public records and can severely impact your ability to obtain credit, sell real estate, or secure business financing.
Resolution options for tax debt in Kahului vary depending on the type and amount owed. An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for a lump sum significantly less than the full balance, but the IRS and Hawaii Department of Taxation require detailed financial disclosures and proof that you cannot pay the full amount. Installment agreements are more common, with the IRS offering streamlined agreements for debts under $50,000 that require no financial statement. Penalty abatement can be requested under the first-time penalty abatement policy for taxpayers with a clean compliance history, or based on reasonable cause such as illness, natural disaster, or reliance on incorrect advice. Bankruptcy discharge of taxes is possible but limited; income taxes may be discharged in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy if they are at least three years old, the return was filed at least two years before filing, and the tax was assessed at least 240 days before filing.
When hiring a tax relief attorney in Kahului, you should expect to pay flat fees ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your case. Some attorneys charge hourly rates between $300 and $600 per hour, with initial consultations often offered at a reduced rate or for free. Be cautious of tax relief scams: some companies promise unrealistic results, demand full payment upfront, or claim they can settle debts for pennies on the dollar without reviewing your financial situation. Legitimate tax relief professionals include enrolled agents (federally licensed tax practitioners), certified public accountants (CPAs), and tax attorneys. Attorneys offer the advantage of attorney-client privilege, which protects your communications from disclosure to the IRS or state tax authorities. For complex cases involving litigation, appeals, or criminal tax issues, an attorney is often the most appropriate choice.
You should hire a tax relief attorney as soon as you receive an IRS notice demanding payment, especially a CP14 or CP501 notice. If a revenue officer has been assigned to your case, you are at high risk of enforced collection actions. Immediate legal representation is critical if your bank account has been levied, your wages are being garnished, or you have received an audit notification. Taxpayers with unfiled returns should also seek help promptly, as the IRS can file a substitute for return on your behalf, which often results in a higher tax bill and no credits or deductions. In Kahului, where the cost of living is high and many residents work in tourism or small businesses, unresolved tax issues can quickly escalate into property liens or loss of income, making early intervention essential for protecting your financial future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hawaii Department of Taxation have different collection rules than the IRS for Kahului residents?
Yes, the Hawaii Department of Taxation operates under state law with its own collection rules. Hawaii can levy bank accounts and garnish wages without a court order, and the state has a 10-year collection statute similar to the IRS. However, Hawaii offers a separate Offer in Compromise program with stricter eligibility criteria, and state tax liens are filed with the Bureau of Conveyances, affecting property titles on Maui. Hawaii also imposes a 5 percent per month penalty on unpaid taxes, up to 25 percent, which is higher than the federal penalty rate.
How much does a tax relief attorney typically cost in Kahului, Hawaii?
Tax relief attorneys in Kahului generally charge flat fees between $3,000 and $10,000 for standard cases such as offers in compromise or installment agreements. Hourly rates range from $300 to $600 per hour, with initial consultations often costing $200 to $500. Some attorneys offer payment plans for their fees, but you should expect to pay a retainer upfront. Be wary of firms demanding full payment before any work is done, as this is a common sign of a tax relief scam.
What is the process for resolving an IRS tax debt with a Kahului tax relief attorney?
The process typically begins with a consultation where the attorney reviews your tax notices, financial documents, and unfiled returns. The attorney then determines your eligibility for resolution options such as an offer in compromise, installment agreement, or currently not collectible status. For an offer in compromise, the attorney prepares a detailed financial statement and submits it to the IRS, which can take 6 to 12 months for a decision. Throughout the process, the attorney communicates with the IRS or Hawaii Department of Taxation on your behalf, stopping collection actions like levies or garnishments.