A tax fraud attorney is a lawyer who falls under the tax law area of specialization.  While an attorney who is a tax fraud attorney does not need to be certified as a specialist, when you are dealing with issues as serious as tax fraud, which can range to both criminal and civil prosecution, hiring a tax fraud attorney who is a certified specialist is ideal.  In order to become a certified tax fraud attorney you must apply for specialization in the state’s Board of Legal Specialization and each state has different requirements for what specialization entails.

Most states have similar requirements for specializing in tax law though the particulars may vary somewhat.  Generally, the tax fraud attorney has to prove competence and a concentration in the area in which he or she is seeking specialization.  The tax fraud attorney must be in good standing with the state bar and attend a certain number of hours in continuing education classes dictated by the board.  After the application process and requirements are completed, the application is approved for testing into the tax law specialization.  Once the test is passed, the tax fraud attorney is certified as a specialist in the area.  Tax fraud is simply a sub category of the tax law specialization and requires no additional certification.

However, even though there is usually no additional certification, there should be a proven track record of defending a person against allegations of fraud.  The attorney should have clients who can serve as references to attest to the fact that the tax fraud attorney represented them and had a successful outcome.  Typically when dealing with the IRS in defense of tax fraud, a successful outcome is not going to prison.  Hopefully, there will also be a mitigation of financial losses as well due to the charges.

It is important to hire a tax fraud attorney as soon as possible.  Often an investigation occurs long before any charges are leveled.  So, as soon as you know you are under investigation it is wise to be represented by an experienced, competent tax fraud attorney.  They can help you through the investigation process and hopefully it ends there.  If not, they can represent you in any civil or criminal proceedings that are brought against you.  A tax fraud attorney can help with all aspects of tax fraud defense including non filing, false filings and tax evasion.  Research a tax fraud attorney before hiring but do this as early in the process as possible to help increase your chances of a successful outcome.