Top 5 Tax & IRS Lawyers in Aurora, CO

How to choose between these 5 firms

For an IRS audit notice that just arrived — Kennedy Tax Solutions, Beem & Isley, and Philip Falco are the strongest fits. The combination of CPA and JD credentials matters because the audit involves both the tax substance and the procedural posture.

For back taxes you cannot afford to pay — an offer-in-compromise or installment agreement — Defense Tax Partners, Silver Tax Group, and Kennedy Tax Solutions handle high volumes of this resolution work and tend to be the most cost-efficient.

For a U.S. Tax Court petition — Kennedy Tax Solutions, Silver Tax Group, and Philip Falco have tax-court experience. Tax Court has its own rules; an attorney without Tax Court bar admission cannot represent you there.

For a tax fraud or criminal-tax investigation — Defense Tax Partners is the published fit; Kennedy Tax Solutions also lists criminal-tax work. Criminal tax is a specialized practice and should not be handled by a generalist.

What a tax and IRS lawyer typically costs in Aurora

Initial IRS notice review and response: $500–$2,000. Most IRS notices can be answered in 1–5 attorney hours with a written response and supporting documentation.

IRS audit representation (correspondence audit): $1,500–$5,000 typical. Most correspondence audits resolve through document submission and a written position statement.

IRS audit representation (office or field audit): $5,000–$25,000+ depending on complexity, year scope, and whether the audit expands.

Offer-in-compromise: $3,500–$7,500 flat fee at most Aurora firms. IRS user fee is $205. Acceptance rates vary widely with facts; do not pay any firm that “guarantees” acceptance.

Installment agreement (streamlined or standard): $500–$2,500. Streamlined agreements (under $50,000 owed for individuals) are typically straightforward; standard requires Form 433-F or 433-A financial disclosure.

Penalty abatement (first-time or reasonable-cause): $750–$2,500. First-time abatement is the lowest-friction relief and is underused.

U.S. Tax Court petition through trial: $15,000–$75,000+. Most Tax Court cases settle in Appeals before trial.

Red flags to watch for when picking a tax and IRS lawyer in Aurora

The big legal directories list hundreds of Aurora attorneys for this work. Most are competent. A few are problematic. Watch for these patterns.

Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a court win, a tax debt cut to zero, or a perfect contract that "can never be challenged," walk away.

The disappearing partner. You meet a senior name at the intake meeting, then never speak to that person again. Your file gets handed to an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney and what the supervision structure looks like.

Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms send you the engagement letter, give you time to read it, and let you take it home. Same-day "you have to retain us today" tactics are almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.

No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to peer rankings, bar specialization, published case results, or named clients. "We have helped thousands" is marketing copy. Specific case names, transaction sizes, or third-party recognitions are evidence.

Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Aurora lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what is included, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you terminate the relationship.

10 questions to ask in your free consultation

Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use it. Bring a written list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign anything.

1. Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and an email. Confirm that this person, not the partner you met at intake, will be your primary point of contact.
2. How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a real number, not a brochure line.
3. What is your fee and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign. Hourly, flat, contingency, or hybrid — and what triggers a change.
4. What costs am I responsible for outside the legal fee? Filing fees, expert witnesses, third-party services, courier, transcription. Ask now to avoid surprise invoices.
5. What is a realistic range of outcomes for a situation like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range with assumptions. A bad one will only describe the best case.
6. How long will it take? Honest estimate with the assumptions stated.
7. Who else might be involved? Co-counsel? Experts? Local counsel? Larger matters routinely involve outside specialists.
8. How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Weekly calls? Status updates on a schedule? Set the expectation up front.
9. What happens if I want to change lawyers later? The rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms.
10. What is the worst case for me here? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling, not advising.

What is specific about a tax and IRS matter in Aurora

Colorado piggybacks federal tax. Most Colorado state income tax adjustments follow the federal change automatically once the IRS issues a final adjustment. An Aurora tax attorney is generally handling both at once.

Aurora Department of Revenue collections. The City of Aurora has its own sales-tax administration as a home-rule city. Aurora business owners with sales-tax problems often face two collection processes (state and city) simultaneously; a local Aurora firm is faster at the city side.

Statute of limitations. The IRS generally has 10 years from assessment to collect. Three years to audit a return (six if more than 25 percent of income is omitted; unlimited for fraud or unfiled returns). Knowing where you are in those clocks shapes every strategy choice.

Collection appeals (CDP and CAP). A Collection Due Process hearing is the most important tool an Aurora taxpayer has against a lien or levy notice; the deadline to request CDP is short and missing it eliminates the right to U.S. Tax Court review of the collection action.

Innocent spouse relief. Colorado community-property considerations and federal innocent-spouse rules interact in cases of divorce or separation; Aurora taxpayers facing joint-return liability should ask specifically about innocent-spouse, separation-of-liability, and equitable-relief options.

Frequently asked questions

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