Finding the Ideal Real Estate Tax Attorney Close to You

The Importance of a Real Estate Tax Attorney

Should you find that you have an issue with state property taxes, you should definitely consider hiring a real estate tax attorney. Their experience and knowledge will be able to help you avoid the consequences of dealing with the state.
You may be able to avoid paying thousands in taxes. Real estate tax attorneys know how to assist clients in pursuing claims against governmental bodies for an overtaxed property. This is especially useful when you’re dealing with exemptions.
Real estate tax attorneys can also help if your local government has issued a tax bill for a home you sold several years ago . Most clients who have sold a former residence assume that all tax issues were squarely the responsibility of the new owners, and that no tax hassles should come back to haunt them later. But problems between the old and new owner may come around—that’s why you need a real estate tax attorney.
A real estate tax attorney also helps you understand deductions. If you own and operate a business, you may be eligible for exemptions. Some of these exemptions are only available through legislative or legal proceedings. It’s wise to have an attorney on your side to help make this process as efficient as possible.

Services Provided by Real Estate Tax Attorneys

Those who work as real estate tax attorneys offer a host of potential services to individuals and businesses dealing in property. Some specialize in business transactions, while others are experts in litigation. Commonly-utilized services offered by real estate tax attorneys include:
Tax Planning. Your real estate tax attorney can help you to set up strategies for reducing your overall tax burden, whether that takes the form of deductions or credits or another approach. Trusts and family limited partnerships for retaining assets, as well as other tax-advantaged vehicles, are often optimized by a knowledgeable attorney with extensive experience in such matters.
Representation in Tax Audits. A trusted and experienced real estate tax attorney can represent you if you are selected for an audit, or, preferably, can help you avoid the situation entirely through proactive planning.
Real Estate Litigation. A real estate tax attorney may represent individual or business clients in situations involving any sort of tax litigation in court. That may include disputes with the IRS about tax liability, delinquency, employment tax claims, and more. Your attorney can guide you through the process, making certain that you leverage your strengths to bring a favorable resolution to the situation.
Advisory Roles in Real Estate Transactions. Finally, real estate tax attorneys can serve as counsel to buyers, sellers, lessors and lessees on one end to the completion of a transaction to properties worth far greater sums of money than the average person possesses. With the ability to do this thanks in part to their understanding of the tax laws governing capital gains, cap rates, like-kind exchanges and more, an attorney can help ensure that a deal is viewed as being profitable for all parties involved.

Selecting an Attorney Near You

When searching for the best real estate tax attorney near you, it’s important to start with a few basic criteria. First and foremost, consider your lawyer’s experience handling cases like yours. If you are involved in a complex real estate transaction or are concerned about a potential dispute or lawsuit, you will want an attorney who has worked on these matters before. The right attorney will be able to cite previous cases in which they handled matters like yours. Additionally, you will want to think about what other clients have said about your potential attorney in past reviews. Whether you check out reviews online, or ask for referrals from trusted family and friends, make sure you are aware of what your attorney’s previous clients have said. In reviewing your possible attorney’s experience, you’ll want to find out about their reputation as well. A highly reputable real estate tax attorney will have a solid reputation that you can research easily. Sometimes the best way to find the right real estate tax attorney near you may be to reach out associations such as the American Bar Association or the local state bar association. Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations can also provide good leads on a quality real estate tax attorney. Remember that recommendations from other lawyers, who you may know professionally, can be particularly valuable. A good real estate tax attorney will be able to tell you about their membership, friends, and referrals from other lawyers that they know. The closer you find your real estate tax attorney to your geographic area, the easier it will be to meet with them. You also want to be sure that your real estate tax attorney has the proper licenses and credentials. Check with your state’s bar association to verify that your potential attorney has been properly licensed to work on real estate tax matters.

Questions to Consider Prior to Hiring

Most important to ask is how much of their practice is in this area. For example, if you are going to buy or sell a house, then you may not want to hire a Commercial Real Estate Lawyer. Usually a small firm is more likely to be on the cutting edge of this and more personal and better priced than a big firm. But if you are looking to do a mixed use building – then bigger might be better as you will pay a lot for them to learn.
Does the attorney have the time to devote to your case. You should ask who will actually do the work – attorney, paralegal, intern – and how long will it take? What is the fee – hourly, flat fee, retainer? What is the billing practice – monthly, weekly, etc.? How much is required to begin work – retainer, minimum fee, deposit , or advance payment? What are the terms of payment? How much is it to prepare the contract, transfer title if uncomplicated and clear and to see it through to sale? Does the attorney have a written retainer agreement?
What is the typical fee for a case similar to yours? Is there a consultation fee? If there is a procedure that requires immediate attention, or a court date that is coming shortly, is there someone who can provide the necessary legal services to protect you? What steps can you take and what should you not do to help the lawyer be successful? What are the basic strategies that might be employed in your situation? What are the chances for success? What are the risks and obstacles? What are the lawyer’s communication practices? Do they feel communication is important? Are they responsive to your needs/deadlines?

Local Particularities and Regulations

Real estate tax laws can vary widely from one municipality to another. Municipal regulations often cover everything from zoning to home occupancy. Depending on the type of real estate, you may need to deal with local boards, commissions and/or authorities. These entities can make decisions affecting your property that could result in tax assessments and tax consequences. They also have the authority to affect the value of the real estate when they assess compliance with codes and permits. If you are dealing with local entities or if you are battling an appeal from a municipality, having an attorney who knows the local limitations and regulations can be a game-changer.

Advantages of Having an Attorney Nearby

One of the primary reasons to hire a nearby real estate tax attorney is you’ll have easier access to them for consulting. No one wants an attorney that they never see, leaving you uncomfortable and in the dark about your property tax situation. A good, strong real estate tax attorney helps you understand what’s going on, even if your local market is in extremes . A reliable and responsive attorney will be available when you need them most, fighting your property tax case along with you and often in person. Reaching your attorney in a hurry is often as easy as reaching across your desk. Also, real estate tax attorneys often know the local market well so as to better advise you on appealing assessments and to help you seek equitable assessments. Your real estate tax attorney likely has extensive experience in your local area and marketplace.