An IRS notice, a lien, or a stack of unfiled returns can feel like the floor dropping out. These are the Boise tax attorneys who show up across the major directories for handling audits, back taxes, and disputes with the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission — with real credentials and honest fees.
Updated May 2, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Tax problems rarely arrive politely. A certified letter shows up, the numbers do not match your memory, and the deadline at the top of the page is two weeks out. Maybe it is an audit notice, maybe a balance you cannot pay, maybe a Notice of Federal Tax Lien that just appeared on your credit. In Boise, the work of a good tax and IRS attorney is to turn that pile of paper into a plan: figure out what you actually owe, what the agency can and cannot do, and which relief options are realistic for your finances.
The cases that bring people to a Boise tax lawyer tend to cluster around a handful of issues. IRS audits and examinations, where an agent questions deductions or income. Back taxes and unfiled returns, which snowball with penalties and interest until they are addressed. Liens and levies — the IRS claiming your property or pulling money straight from a bank account or paycheck. Offers in compromise and installment agreements, the two main ways to resolve a balance you cannot pay in full. And, for contested matters, appeals through IRS Appeals or a petition to the U.S. Tax Court.
Idaho adds a second layer. Many disputes here involve not just the IRS but the Idaho State Tax Commission, which administers state income tax, sales and use tax, and its own collections and appeals. The deadlines and procedures differ from the federal side, and a Boise attorney who works both tracks can keep a state matter from quietly compounding while you focus on the federal one. The firms below each appear across at least two independent sources — Justia, Avvo, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, FindLaw, and Expertise.com — and each has a verifiable Boise tax practice.
We list ten practices here. Every one is real, and we note the credential or recognition that earned each a place.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, FindLaw, Expertise.com) against each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Boise-area tax practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Gordon Delić & Associates
950 W. Bannock St, BoiseExpertise.com 2026Tax resolution focus
Practice focus: IRS and state tax resolution, offers in compromise, liens and levies, back taxes
Gordon Delić & Associates is a Boise firm that pairs legal and accounting backgrounds to handle tax-problem resolution for individuals and businesses. Its work covers the IRS Fresh Start program, offers in compromise, installment agreements, penalty abatements, and the release of liens and levies, and it has represented clients in IRS cryptocurrency audits. Co-founder Damir Delić holds a Juris Doctor along with a Master of Science in Accountancy — Taxation, an attorney-accountant combination that is well suited to collection and resolution work.
Why they made the list: A resolution-focused Boise practice with combined law and accounting expertise and a deep bench in offers in compromise and collections.
601 W Bannock St, BoiseExpertise.com 2026Federal tax & planning
Practice focus: Federal tax, business and transactional tax, tax planning
Givens Pursley is one of Boise's larger full-service firms, and its tax and estate planning group represents individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations in structuring transactions that comply with federal tax law. The firm has served Idaho clients since 1977 across industries including real estate, healthcare, and technology, which gives its tax attorneys regular exposure to the business and entity questions that sit underneath many controversies.
Why they made the list: An established firm with a substantial federal tax practice and the depth to handle planning alongside disputes.
420 W Main St, BoiseExpertise.com 2026 • JustiaTax controversy
Practice focus: Tax controversy, IRS disputes, wealth and estate tax planning
Ahrens DeAngeli Law Group guides clients through international, federal, and state tax controversy, helping them settle or litigate disputes with the IRS, alongside charitable tax planning, wealth preservation, and trust and estate administration. Partner Joshua C. P. Reams is listed in the Justia directory for tax work that includes resolving tax debt with the IRS and the state, audits, installment agreements, liens, and appeals, and partner Edward D. Ahrens is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Why they made the list: A dedicated tax controversy practice with directory-verified attorneys and strength on both the dispute and planning sides.
242 N 8th St, BoiseExpertise.com 2026 • MartindaleLL.M. in Taxation
Practice focus: IRS and Idaho State Tax Commission settlements, business and employment tax
Varin Thomas is a Boise practice that has helped individuals and business owners resolve tax controversies since 2009, across income, sales, estate, employee-benefit, and entity-formation matters. Principal Robert F. Thomas holds an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law and previously practiced tax law at Hawley Troxell. His work includes negotiating settlements with the Internal Revenue Service and the Idaho State Tax Commission on personal income, business income, and employment taxes.
Why they made the list: An advanced tax law degree and a track record settling matters with both the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission.
251 E Front St, BoiseExpertise.com 2026U.S. Tax Court admitted
Practice focus: Tax appeals at state and federal levels, tax planning
Elam & Burke has served Boise individuals, families, and businesses for more than nine decades and handles tax appeals at both the state and federal levels. Principal attorney Loren C. Ipsen is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court and is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel — credentials that matter when a dispute cannot be resolved at the agency level and may need to be litigated.
Why they made the list: A long-established firm with a U.S. Tax Court-admitted attorney and genuine appellate capability.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, audits, tax planning
Stoel Rives is a large regional firm with a Boise office whose tax practice includes federal and state tax controversy. Boise attorney Jackie Schimert provides strategic counsel on federal and state tax issues, including audits and other controversies, and is a Certified Public Accountant — a combination of legal and accounting training that is valuable when a dispute turns on the underlying numbers as much as the law.
Why they made the list: Regional-firm resources plus a CPA-attorney handling federal and state tax controversy out of Boise.
Practice focus: Tax planning, business and state-and-local tax, tax controversy
Hawley Troxell is among Idaho's largest law firms, headquartered in Boise, with a long-standing tax practice. Veteran tax attorney John McGown has practiced for more than 40 years and has taught graduate courses in estate planning, partnership tax, state taxation, and tax-exempt organizations — the kind of background that supports both sophisticated planning and the analysis behind a controversy. The firm's scale lets it staff complex business and entity tax matters as well as individual disputes.
Why they made the list: Deep, long-tenured tax expertise inside Idaho's largest firm, with capacity for complex business tax work.
702 W Idaho St, BoiseExpertise.com 2026Tax litigation
Practice focus: Tax controversy and litigation, federal and state tax audits
Atkins Law Offices is a Boise full-service firm whose team represents clients who want to bring tax controversies to court and pursue favorable resolutions. The attorneys handle both international and domestic tax issues and negotiate with federal, state, and local tax agencies, and the practice also covers business counseling and estate planning. That litigation orientation makes it a fit for taxpayers whose matter may not settle at the agency level.
Why they made the list: A firm comfortable taking tax controversies into litigation, with experience across federal and state audits.
Practice focus: Tax controversy, tax minimization, estate planning
Richard A. Cummings has more than 45 years of experience across tax and related legal matters in Boise and the surrounding area. His practice handles tax controversies and advises clients on tax minimization for wills, trusts, limited partnerships, and large estates, alongside estate planning, real estate, and commercial work. Cummings is an Accredited Estate Planner, a designation that reflects depth in the tax-and-estate questions that often sit at the heart of a controversy.
Why they made the list: Decades of tax and estate experience and a sole-practitioner model that means direct attorney attention.
Practice focus: Tax planning, business and corporate tax, tax controversy
Eberle, Berlin, Kading, Turnbow & McKlveen has provided legal representation in Boise for more than a century, serving clients in corporate law, litigation, and tax planning, and it is recognized on Super Lawyers lists among the area's tax firms. The firm's combination of tax and business-law experience suits owners whose tax issues are tangled up with entity structure, transactions, or corporate matters rather than standing alone.
Why they made the list: A long-established firm pairing tax planning with corporate and litigation depth for business-owner clients.
Tell us a little about your tax situation. We'll connect you with a Boise tax and IRS firm that fits your case — free, confidential, and no obligation.
How to choose between them in Boise
Match the lawyer to your problem. A collection matter — back taxes, a levy, an offer in compromise — calls for a resolution-focused practice fluent in IRS procedure. A disputed audit or a case that may reach the U.S. Tax Court calls for someone admitted to that court with litigation experience. Sophisticated business or entity tax questions call for a firm with depth on the planning side. Be honest about which one you have.
Look for tax-specific credentials. An LL.M. in Taxation, admission to the U.S. Tax Court, or an attorney who is also a CPA are meaningful, verifiable markers of depth in this niche — not just a general practitioner who also does taxes.
Confirm they handle the right agency. If your problem involves the Idaho State Tax Commission as well as the IRS, ask whether the firm handles state controversies too. The deadlines and appeal paths differ, and you do not want a state matter quietly compounding.
Get the fee structure in writing. Ask for the hourly rate or flat fee, the retainer, and a realistic estimate for a case like yours before you hand over any money. A reputable firm will give you that in an engagement letter. Compare what lawyers charge across situations on our attorney costs guide.
What tax help typically costs in Boise
Tax-attorney cost in Boise depends heavily on whether your matter is a defined task or an open-ended dispute. The honest ranges:
Hourly representation Most Boise tax attorneys bill about $250 to $500 per hour, typically against an upfront retainer of $2,500 to $7,500. Complex audits and litigation sit at the higher end.
Flat fees for specific filings Well-defined tasks are sometimes handled for a flat fee — roughly $1,500 to $3,500 for a penalty-abatement request or an installment agreement, and often $3,000 to $7,500 or more for a full offer in compromise, depending on complexity.
Retainers An advance deposit the firm bills against. When it runs low you replenish it. Ask what happens to any unused balance at the end of the matter.
U.S. Tax Court and litigation A contested case that proceeds toward trial is billed hourly and commonly runs well into five figures, which is why many disputes settle through IRS Appeals first.
What drives the bill up Multiple tax years, unfiled returns, business or payroll taxes, a parallel Idaho State Tax Commission matter, and an uncooperative agency timeline. The more organized your records, the less you pay.
Ask every firm for the rate, the retainer, and a written estimate for your specific situation before you sign an engagement letter. For broader context, see our costs guide and our legal guides.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a tax lawyer in Boise
"We'll wipe out your tax debt" promises. This is the defining red flag of the tax niche. National tax-resolution mills advertise heavily and promise to settle your debt for pennies on the dollar before they have seen a single transcript or finance number. The IRS accepts only a fraction of offers in compromise, and eligibility depends entirely on your specific situation. Any firm that guarantees a result up front is selling you something.
Big upfront fees with vague deliverables. Watch for a large retainer collected fast, followed by months of "we're working on it" and little to show. Reputable Boise attorneys tie fees to defined steps and tell you what each one accomplishes.
No look at your transcripts first. A serious tax lawyer pulls your IRS account transcripts and reviews your finances before recommending a strategy. A sales pitch that skips that step is a pressure tactic, not legal advice.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Legitimate firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named attorneys, bar admissions, U.S. Tax Court admission, an LL.M. in tax, or peer rankings — not an anonymous call center and "thousands of satisfied clients."
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Have you pulled or reviewed cases like mine, and what is the realistic outcome? A good lawyer gives a range, not a guarantee.
Do you handle both the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission? Confirm they cover whichever agencies your matter involves.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
Are you admitted to the U.S. Tax Court? Important if your case could be litigated.
What is your fee, and is it flat or hourly for my situation? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What retainer do you require, and what happens to any unused balance? Know the deposit and the refund terms.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for? Transcripts, filing fees, and experts add up — ask now.
What are my relief options and which is realistic for me? Offer in compromise, installment agreement, abatement, or appeal.
What deadlines am I facing right now? Many tax notices carry hard response or petition deadlines.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Boise consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most tax matters, gather:
Every IRS or Idaho State Tax Commission notice. Bring them all, with the dates and any deadlines highlighted.
Recent tax returns. The last few years, plus a list of any years you have not filed.
A short written timeline. What happened, in order, including any prior contact with the agency.
Basic financial information. Income, major expenses, and assets — relief options often turn on these numbers.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether a document is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Tax & IRS attorney in Boise
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about tax & IRS lawyers in Boise
How much does a tax attorney cost in Boise?
Most Boise tax attorneys bill hourly, commonly $250 to $500 per hour, often against an upfront retainer of $2,500 to $7,500. Simpler, defined tasks like a penalty-abatement request or a single-year offer in compromise are sometimes handled for a flat fee of roughly $1,500 to $5,000. A complex audit or U.S. Tax Court case can run well into five figures.
Do I need a tax attorney or will a CPA do?
A CPA is ideal for preparing returns and routine accounting. You generally want a tax attorney when there is a dispute, a potential fraud or criminal exposure, a large liability you cannot pay, a lien or levy, or anything headed to U.S. Tax Court, because attorney-client privilege and litigation skill matter. Several Boise practices include attorneys who are also CPAs or hold an LL.M. in tax.
What is an offer in compromise and do I qualify?
An offer in compromise lets you settle federal tax debt for less than the full amount when paying in full would create financial hardship or when there is genuine doubt about the liability. The IRS accepts only a fraction of offers, and eligibility turns on your income, expenses, assets, and future earning ability. A Boise tax attorney can run the numbers before you apply and pay the fee.
Can a Boise lawyer stop an IRS wage garnishment or bank levy?
Often yes. An attorney can request a collection due process hearing, negotiate an installment agreement, seek currently-not-collectible status, or file an offer in compromise. Several of these steps can pause or release a levy or garnishment, but timing matters, so contact a lawyer as soon as you receive a notice.
What is the difference between the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission?
The IRS administers federal income, payroll, and related taxes, while the Idaho State Tax Commission handles Idaho income tax, sales and use tax, and state collections. The two agencies operate separately, with different appeal deadlines and procedures, and a Boise tax dispute can involve one or both. A local attorney handles both tracks.
How long does the IRS have to collect back taxes?
The IRS generally has ten years from the date a tax is assessed to collect it, known as the collection statute expiration date. Certain events, like filing an offer in compromise, bankruptcy, or a collection due process appeal, can pause and extend that clock. An attorney can pull your account transcripts and calculate where you stand.
What should I do if I get an IRS audit letter in Boise?
Do not ignore it and do not call the auditor unprepared. Note the response deadline, gather the records the notice asks for, and consider having a tax attorney or CPA respond on your behalf. For anything beyond a simple correspondence audit, professional representation usually pays for itself by limiting the scope and protecting your rights.
Are those companies that promise to wipe out my tax debt legitimate?
Be very cautious. National tax-resolution mills that advertise heavily and promise to erase or settle your debt for pennies on the dollar before reviewing your finances are a well-known red flag. Reputable Boise attorneys review your transcripts and finances first and tell you honestly what relief is realistic. If someone guarantees a result up front, walk away.
Can a tax attorney help with unfiled returns?
Yes. Unfiled returns are common and fixable. An attorney can help you get back into compliance, often working with a CPA to prepare the returns, and then negotiate the resulting balance through an installment agreement, penalty abatement, or offer in compromise. Coming forward voluntarily is almost always better than waiting for the IRS to file a substitute return for you.
Where does the U.S. Tax Court hear Boise cases?
The U.S. Tax Court has no permanent courtroom in Boise; it holds periodic trial sessions in Idaho, and the specific venue is set out in the notice of trial. Many disputes settle through IRS Appeals before reaching trial, but if you petition the Tax Court you generally must do so within 90 days of a notice of deficiency, so deadlines are critical.
One last thing. Choosing a tax lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: What relief is realistic for my situation, and have you reviewed my transcripts? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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