The top-rated tax relief attorneie in Billings, Montana is Hendrickson Law Firm PC, rated 3.8 stars across 19 reviews. Other highly rated options include Harkins Law Firm, CFF Lawfirm, Moulton Bellingham PC. This directory lists 11 tax relief attorneies serving Billings.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hendrickson Law Firm PC | 208 N Broadway #324 | (406) 245-6238 |
| 2 | Harkins Law Firm | 3021 6th Ave N UNIT 205 | (406) 255-7183 |
| 3 | CFF Lawfirm | 19 36th St W #3 | (406) 248-3100 |
| 4 | Moulton Bellingham PC | 27 N 27th St #1900 | (406) 248-7731 |
| 5 | Crowley Fleck | 490 N 31st St #500 | (406) 252-3441 |
| 6 | Ritchie Manning Kautz PLLP | 175 N 27th St Suite 1206 | (406) 601-1400 |
| 7 | Instant Tax Solutions | 2817 2nd Ave N | (888) 946-2999 |
| 8 | Bekkedahl Bruce O | Bruce, 401 N 31st St #800 | (406) 252-8500 |
| 9 | Christensen Fulton: Llewellyn Patience A | 19 36th St W #3 | (406) 248-3100 |
| 10 | W. Scott Green | 2817 2nd Ave N #300 | (406) 252-8500 |
Hendrickson Law Firm PC serves the Billings, Montana area with focused representation in tax relief matters. The firm assists clients facing challenges with federal or state tax liabilities, including IRS disputes and collection issues. It works to resolve problems such as tax liens, levies, and wage garnishments through negotiation and procedural compliance. Hendrickson Law Firm PC also handles offers in compromise and penalty abatement requests for eligible taxpayers.
Harkins Law Firm in Billings, MT provides tax relief services including IRS negotiation, audit representation, and penalty abatement. Their office assists clients with resolving outstanding tax debts and navigating complex tax codes. Regular consultations help maintain compliance with federal and state tax obligations. The firm serves a variety of property owners, servicing single-family homes, apartments, retail spaces, and restaurants.
CFF Lawfirm in Billings, MT provides tax relief services to clients throughout Billings and surrounding communities in Yellowstone County. The firm handles matters such as IRS tax disputes, tax liens, levies, wage garnishments, and offers in compromise for individuals and small businesses. It works to resolve outstanding tax issues by negotiating directly with tax authorities or preparing necessary paperwork for appeals and installment agreements. A typical job is approached through a review of the client's tax situation followed by filing the required requests for relief.
Moulton Bellingham PC serves homeowners, business owners, and property managers in Billings dealing with complex tax obligations. The firm assists with IRS representation, offer in compromise preparation, and tax lien resolution. Attorneys guide clients through audit defense, penalty abatement requests, and installment agreement negotiations. This practice also handles state tax issues and unfiled return problems for residents across Yellowstone County. Services extend to clients in the neighboring community of Laurel and surrounding areas within the Billings metro region.
Clients seeking tax relief with Crowley Fleck can choose between one-time negotiations for specific tax debts or recurring representation for ongoing filing and compliance support. The firm serves individuals and businesses in Billings, Montana, addressing matters such as IRS disputes, audits, and payment plans. Services are available on either a one-time basis for discrete issues or as scheduled when continuous account management is required throughout the tax year.
Ritchie Manning Kautz PLLP specializes in tax relief services, including negotiation of offers in compromise and resolution of tax liens or levies. Based in Billings, MT, this firm assists clients with IRS back taxes and installment agreements. It provides general representation for taxpayers facing audits or collection actions. For Montana residents, the firm helps with planning around seasonal property tax filings and the annual federal tax deadline.
With spring tax season approaching in Billings, many residents and small business owners face mounting inquiries from the Internal Revenue Service. Instant Tax Solutions provides responsive representation as a Tax Relief Attorney, helping clients with past-due balances, unfiled returns, and audit-related concerns. Their team works directly with local taxpayers to navigate penalty abatement or installment agreement filings. A full initial consultation, including a detailed review of outstanding tax notices and financial documents, serves as the first step toward resolving such matters.
Bekkedahl Bruce O assists individuals and businesses in resolving tax burdens. The firm’s practice centers on reducing liabilities through negotiation with government agencies. Based in Billings, the company handles disputes over back taxes and liens for local clients. This office also advises on wage garnishments and unfiled returns. Its workload supports commercial sectors such as offices, warehouses, and food service.
Christensen Fulton: Llewellyn Patience A provides tax relief representation for residential clients in Billings facing IRS or state tax disputes. The firm also handles commercial tax matters, offering legal guidance to businesses throughout the Billings metro area and surrounding Yellowstone County communities. Tax controversy services include negotiation with taxing authorities, lien resolution, and penalty abatement efforts. Following the completion of an initial case, the company can manage ongoing compliance issues and assist with periodic tax filing follow-up between regular visits to ensure continued adherence to tax obligations.
W. Scott Green is known for representing individuals and businesses in Billings facing federal and local tax obligations. Its service range includes negotiating settlements for tax debts and preventing liens or levies from the IRS. The firm addresses wage garnishments and back tax returns through formal resolution processes. A specialty service it can add on is assisting clients with offer in compromise submissions to potentially reduce total tax liabilities.
What Does a a Tax Relief Attorney in Billings Cost?
Typical costs for a tax relief attorney in Montana vary widely based on the complexity of the case and the type of resolution sought. For an offer in compromise, flat fees generally range from $3,000 to $10,000, with some firms charging up to $15,000 for cases involving significant assets or multiple tax years. Hourly billing is common for audits, appeals, or litigation, with rates between $250 and $600 per hour, and a retainer of $2,000 to $5,000 is often required upfront. Some attorneys offer unbundled services, such as reviewing a financial statement for $500 or preparing a penalty abatement request for $1,000, but full representation for a lien or levy case typically costs $3,000 to $8,000.
Payment arrangements for tax relief attorneys in Billings may include installment plans for legal fees, though many require full payment before submitting an offer in compromise to the IRS or state. Clients should be aware that some firms charge additional fees for filing fees, certified mail, or court costs, which can add $200 to $500 to the total. It is important to get a detailed written fee agreement before engaging any attorney. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice; consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.
About tax relief attorneies in Billings
Residents and business owners in Billings, Montana facing tax debt often find themselves overwhelmed by the complexities of federal and state tax collection actions. Tax relief attorneys specialize in navigating these challenges, offering legal representation for issues such as unpaid back taxes, IRS audits, tax liens, tax levies, wage garnishments, offers in compromise, installment agreements, and penalty abatement. These professionals understand the specific procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and the Montana Department of Revenue, providing a structured path to resolve tax liabilities while protecting a client’s assets and financial future. The goal is to reduce the total amount owed, stop aggressive collection actions, or establish a manageable payment plan that complies with legal requirements.
Federal tax issues frequently arise when the IRS initiates its collection process, which begins with a series of notices demanding payment. If ignored, the IRS can file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, which attaches to all property and assets, damaging credit scores and making it difficult to sell real estate or secure loans. The next step is a levy, where the IRS seizes bank accounts, wages, or even physical assets like vehicles and homes. The IRS generally has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect the tax, known as the statute of limitations on collections, after which the debt may become uncollectible. Tax relief attorneys can also pursue innocent spouse relief, which protects a spouse from liability for taxes owed due to the other spouse’s errors or omissions, and can request currently not collectible status if a taxpayer has no ability to pay, temporarily halting collection efforts.
State tax issues in Montana are handled by the Montana Department of Revenue, which has its own enforcement powers separate from the IRS. The state can file tax liens, seize bank accounts, and garnish wages for unpaid state income taxes, business taxes, or withholding taxes. Montana imposes specific penalties for late filing and late payment, which can add up to 25 percent or more of the original tax owed. The state also offers its own offer in compromise program, known as a compromise of tax liability, which allows eligible taxpayers to settle their state tax debt for less than the full amount owed. However, Montana’s program has stricter eligibility requirements than the federal version, often requiring proof of financial hardship and a history of compliance. State tax liens in Montana remain public records and can affect property ownership and business operations until satisfied or released.
Resolution options for tax debt in Billings range from offers in compromise to installment agreements and penalty abatement. An offer in compromise allows a taxpayer to settle federal tax debt for a lump sum payment that is less than the total owed, typically based on the taxpayer’s reasonable collection potential, which considers income, assets, and expenses. Installment agreements provide a structured monthly payment plan, with the IRS offering streamlined options for debts under $50,000 and longer-term agreements for larger amounts. Penalty abatement can reduce or remove penalties for first-time offenders or for taxpayers who can show reasonable cause, such as a serious illness, natural disaster, or reliance on incorrect advice from a tax professional. In extreme cases, bankruptcy may discharge certain tax debts, but only if specific conditions are met, such as the tax being at least three years old and the return being filed at least two years before filing for bankruptcy.
When hiring a tax relief attorney in Billings, clients should expect fees that vary based on the complexity of the case. Flat fees for an offer in compromise typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, while hourly rates for attorneys can range from $250 to $600 per hour. Some firms charge a flat fee for initial consultation and case review, then additional fees for specific services like preparing financial statements or negotiating with the IRS. It is important to watch out for tax relief scams, which often promise unrealistic results or demand full payment upfront without providing any services. Legitimate tax relief attorneys, enrolled agents, and CPAs all have different qualifications. Enrolled agents are federally licensed tax practitioners, CPAs focus on accounting and tax preparation, and attorneys are licensed to practice law and can represent clients in court if litigation becomes necessary. Attorneys offer the advantage of attorney-client privilege, which protects communications from disclosure.
Knowing when to hire a tax relief attorney is critical to avoiding escalation of collection actions. A taxpayer should seek legal representation immediately upon receiving an IRS notice of deficiency or a notice of intent to levy. If a revenue officer has been assigned to the case, the risk of asset seizure increases significantly. Other triggers include a bank account being levied, wages being garnished, or receiving an audit notification. Taxpayers with unfiled returns should also act quickly, as the IRS can file a substitute return based on estimated income, which often results in a higher tax bill and no opportunity to claim deductions or credits. The sooner a tax relief attorney is involved, the more options are available to stop collection actions and negotiate a favorable resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific Montana state laws affect tax relief cases in Billings?
Montana law allows the Department of Revenue to impose a 2 percent per month penalty on unpaid taxes, up to a maximum of 20 percent, plus interest at the statutory rate set annually. The state also offers a compromise program under Montana Code Annotated 15-1-206, but eligibility requires proving that collection would create an economic hardship or that the tax is uncollectible. Unlike federal law, Montana does not have a 10-year statute of limitations on collections, so state tax debts can be pursued indefinitely until paid or compromised.
How much does it cost to hire a tax relief attorney in Billings, Montana?
Costs for a tax relief attorney in Billings typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 for a flat-fee offer in compromise case, while hourly rates for complex litigation or audit representation run $250 to $600 per hour. Many attorneys charge a non-refundable retainer of $1,500 to $5,000 upfront, with additional fees for filing documents or court appearances. Some firms offer payment plans for their services, but clients should avoid firms that demand full payment before any work is performed.
What is the typical legal process for a tax relief case in Montana?
The process begins with a consultation where the attorney reviews the taxpayer’s financial situation, tax returns, and IRS or state notices. The attorney then files a power of attorney form (Form 2848 for IRS, Form POA-1 for Montana) to begin negotiations, which can take 6 to 12 months for an offer in compromise or 30 to 90 days for an installment agreement. If a levy or wage garnishment is active, the attorney can request a temporary halt, known as a collection due process hearing, which must be requested within 30 days of the notice.