California Tax Lawyer

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Tax Attorney in California

Tax laws are notoriously complex, which can result in difficulties, confusion, and even errors. A experienced California tax lawyer can provide tax planning or help you respond if you are under investigation or have been charged with any tax-related offenses. Their guidance can be essential in protecting the value of your assets and preventing any negative penalties tax issues can bring.

Why Choose Us?

Lobb & Plewe have more than 30 years of tax law experience and have helped countless businesses, entrepreneurs, business owners, and wealthy families with their taxes. Our attorneys have received the rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, their highest peer-reviewed rating. When you need strategic guidance, our team can provide you with trustworthy advice.

Types of Tax Issues We Handle at Lobb & Plewe

Many businesses are investigated for or charged with a tax-related offense. If this is not handled properly, it can result in increased tax liability, penalties, or even criminal charges, depending on the circumstances of the case. Some common issues that businesses face include:

Underpaying taxes
Payroll tax errors
Missing filing deadlines
Commingling business and personal assets
Misclassifying employees

Tax fraud can have devastating effects on a business. With tax fraud causing between $116 billion and $304 billion each year, the IRS takes these cases seriously. Businesses facing tax fraud allegations may also need business litigation support if disputes escalate to civil proceedings.

How a California Tax Lawyer Can Help You With Tax Planning

We don’t just handle tax cases involving tax-related offenses. We also offer tax planning services to help you minimize your tax burden and avoid violating California or federal tax laws. This can be important, as California ranks 48th in state tax competitiveness in 2026.

Calculating tax deductions is often a large part of an individual’s or business’s tax plan. A California tax attorney can explain which deductions you are eligible for. This may illuminate deductions you were unaware of, or help you avoid penalties by claiming deductions that do not apply to your tax case.

For many individuals, especially those with high-value assets or business assets, tax planning is especially important when it comes to your estate plan. Our attorneys can work with you to minimize the tax burden on your estate by exploring various legal tools to transfer property outside of traditional probate.

For business, tax planning can be an important step early on because a lawyer can advise you on your business entity type. Because different types of business entities have different tax obligations, it can be a good idea to look into this early. However, if you have an established business, it may not be too late to change your entity type and take advantage of tax savings.

The Consequences of Navigating California’s Tax Laws Alone

While many people are able to file a simple tax return, businesses, business owners, wealthy individuals, and many other people have much more to consider. Deductions, tax-advantaged accounts, tax compliance, self-employment tax obligations, and more can make filing your taxes much more complex.

Without professional guidance, you may be at risk of:

Paying unnecessary taxes
Tax audits
Tax crime investigations
Tax crime charges
Tax penalties

Whether you are concerned about potential criminal charges or simply paying more in taxes than you need, it is a good idea to hire a tax lawyer. A lawyer can provide you with a personalized plan to reduce tax liability and avoid penalties for errors. Depending on your case, they can:

Review your current tax strategy for weaknesses
Identify methods for tax reduction
Represent you in interviews, negotiations, or hearings
Explain the potential tax consequences of different personal or business decisions
Build a strategy to help you avoid criminal charges and civil penalties, if necessary

FAQs

Is it Worth Getting a Tax Lawyer?

Yes, it is often worth it to get a tax lawyer, especially if you have a complicated financial situation or are facing a tax-related legal issue, such as an audit for tax fraud. A lawyer understands how California and federal law apply to your specific tax case, whether you are an individual, business owner, or a large corporation. This can help you avoid costly missteps, ultimately helping you save money on tax-related expenses.

When Should You Hire a Tax Lawyer?

There are many situations when it is a good idea to hire a tax lawyer, such as if you are:

Preparing for a large financial change
Creating an estate plan that involves complex and high-value assets
Building a business
Under a federal or state tax crime investigation
Charged with a tax crime
In significant tax debt

If you are unsure whether a lawyer would be helpful, you can schedule a consultation to discuss your needs.

What Happens If a Tax Return Is Audited?

A tax audit means the IRS is reviewing your tax return and financial documents to identify any inconsistencies or errors. You are notified via mail of the audit. In certain cases, a meeting takes place at an IRS office or at your home or business. An audit does not mean you are automatically guilty of a tax offense. In FY2025, the IRS closed 497,621 tax return audits, but not all of these resulted in additional taxes or penalties.

Can a California Tax Lawyer Represent You When Meeting With the IRS?

Yes, a California tax lawyer can communicate on your behalf when it comes to meetings or negotiations with the IRS. This can be extremely helpful, as a lawyer can create arguments and gather evidence to support their position. Then, they can make sure that your case is effectively presented to the IRS. Their representation is especially important when it comes to unfamiliar and complex details of the tax law that you may be less comfortable communicating about.

California Tax Related Resources:

California Tax Related Legal Resources

Speak With a Skilled California Tax Attorney Today

Many individuals underestimate the impact that a tax lawyer can have on their personal finances or their business. Whether you are looking into tax reduction strategies or are unsure of how to navigate an investigation or audit, a lawyer’s help can make a significant difference in your financial future.

Contact Lobb & Plewe today to schedule a consultation with our California tax attorneys at our office at 4160 Temescal Canyon Road, Suite 202, Corona.