Buffalo, New York - Audits, Appeals & Tax Resolution
Top 10 Tax & IRS Lawyers in Buffalo, NY
Buffalo tax attorneys who handle IRS and New York State audits, appeals, and settlements - what they charge, the residency-audit trap, and how to choose the right one.
Updated December 14, 202512 min readEditorially independent
An IRS or New York State tax problem does not go away on its own - it compounds with penalties and interest, and it can escalate to liens, levies, and wage garnishment. A tax attorney in Buffalo steps between you and the taxing authority, handling audits, appeals, collection, offers in compromise, and, when needed, criminal tax exposure. This guide compares Buffalo tax firms, what they charge, and how to choose.
New York is one of the most aggressive states in the country on residency audits - it actively pursues people who claim to have moved out of New York while keeping ties here. If you split time between New York and a no-tax state, sold a business, or received a residency-audit notice, the stakes are high and the rules are technical. Buffalo happens to be home to several nationally recognized state-and-local-tax practices.
Tax representation is usually billed hourly, generally $300 to $500 per hour in the Buffalo market, though some defined matters - an offer in compromise, a penalty abatement - are handled for a flat fee. Many firms offer an initial review to scope the problem before you commit.
The firms below were selected from peer rankings and legal directories, cross-referenced against each firm's own practice pages. We do not take payment for placement.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Buffalo-area tax / irs practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Hodgson Russ LLP
Best Lawyers Tier 1 Tax (Buffalo)20+ SALT attorneysChambers-ranked
Practice focus: State and local tax (SALT), IRS and NYS controversy, sales and use tax, and planning
Home to one of the largest state-and-local-tax practices in the country, with more than 20 attorneys and partners including Mark Klein and Paul Comeau. The firm is ranked Metropolitan Tier 1 in Tax Law for Buffalo by Best Lawyers and recognized by Chambers.
Why they made the list: Best for residency audits, multistate exposure, and high-stakes New York State or IRS disputes.
National tax-controversy teamRandall AndreozziFormer IRS & DOJ attorneys
Practice focus: IRS and NYS audits, appeals, litigation, collection, and criminal tax matters
Its tax-controversy group, built from the 2023 combination with Andreozzi Bluestein, includes Randall P. Andreozzi and Edward Fickess plus former IRS Office of Chief Counsel and DOJ Tax Division attorneys, former IRS agents, and forensic accountants.
Why they made the list: A top pick for serious audits, appeals, or potential criminal tax exposure.
Practice focus: IRS and NYS tax controversy, debt relief, audits, and resolution
A Buffalo firm whose tax work is led by Thomas F. Hewner, a CPA and tax attorney, focused on resolving IRS and New York State tax controversies as efficiently as possible.
Why they made the list: A fit when you want both a CPA and an attorney perspective on a resolution.
Buffalo firmTax problem resolutionBankruptcy & tax
Practice focus: Tax problems, IRS and NYS disputes, and related insolvency issues
A Buffalo firm that handles tax problems alongside bankruptcy and insolvency matters, useful when tax debt is tangled up with broader financial distress.
Why they made the list: Useful when tax debt overlaps with bankruptcy or insolvency.
~30 years IRS experienceBuffaloTax relief strategies
Practice focus: IRS tax relief, installment agreements, offers in compromise, and audits
John D'Amato has nearly 30 years of experience and focuses on crafting IRS tax-relief strategies - installment agreements, offers in compromise, and audit defense - for individuals and businesses.
Why they made the list: A focused option for individual IRS debt and relief work.
Fee structure
Flat fee for defined relief work; hourly otherwise
Practice focus: Business and individual tax planning, SALT, property tax, and tax controversy
A super-regional firm with a Buffalo office and an established tax practice spanning planning, state and local tax, property tax, and controversy, with Best Lawyers recognition in tax litigation and controversy.
Why they made the list: A fit for businesses wanting tax counsel alongside corporate and litigation services.
Practice focus: Business and individual tax planning, transactional tax, and tax controversy
A regional firm with a Buffalo office whose tax attorneys advise clients from small enterprises to public corporations on corporate and individual tax planning, state and local tax, and dispute resolution.
Why they made the list: Good for companies that need tax tied to deals, benefits, and ongoing planning.
Tell us about your IRS or New York State tax problem and we will connect you with a Buffalo tax attorney who handles audits, appeals, and settlements. Free and confidential.
How to choose between them in Buffalo
Hire an attorney, not just a resolution shop. National tax-relief companies advertise heavily; many are not law firms. A tax attorney gives you attorney-client privilege and can represent you in Tax Court. For a real dispute, that matters.
Match the firm to the problem. A residency audit, a business sales-tax audit, an offer in compromise, and a criminal tax matter are different specialties. Ask how often the firm handles your exact issue.
Look for former government experience. Some Buffalo tax teams include former IRS Chief Counsel, DOJ Tax Division, or New York State Department of Taxation attorneys. That experience helps in audits and negotiations.
Get the fee structure in writing. Ask whether your matter is flat fee or hourly, what an offer in compromise or audit defense typically costs, and what happens if the case expands.
Move fast on deadlines. Audit responses, appeals, and Tax Court petitions have hard deadlines. The sooner you engage counsel, the more options you keep.
What tax / irs help typically costs in Buffalo
Tax representation in Buffalo is priced by the matter or by the hour. Here is what to expect:
Hourly rate: Most Buffalo tax attorneys bill roughly $300 to $500 per hour, with senior partners at large firms higher.
Offer in compromise or installment agreement: Negotiating an IRS settlement or payment plan is often handled for a flat fee, depending on complexity.
Audit defense: Defending an IRS or NYS audit is usually hourly and depends on scope - a residency audit costs more than a single-issue exam.
Penalty abatement: Requesting removal of penalties is sometimes a defined flat-fee project.
Tax litigation: Taking a case to Tax Court or pursuing an appeal is hourly and depends on the amount in dispute.
The math usually favors getting counsel early. A few hours of an attorney's time at the audit stage often saves far more than letting an assessment, lien, or levy run its course.
How long it takes
Tax matters move on the government's clock, and the deadlines are unforgiving:
Audit (months): An IRS or NYS audit commonly runs several months from notice to determination, longer for complex residency or business audits.
Appeal (months): Administrative appeals within the IRS or New York State can add several months but often resolve disputes short of court.
Offer in compromise (6-12 months): The IRS typically takes six months to a year to evaluate an offer in compromise.
Tax Court (1-2+ years): If you petition Tax Court, expect a year or more, though many cases settle before trial.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a tax / irs lawyer in Buffalo
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable 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 results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
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.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many tax / irs matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Buffalo consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most tax / irs matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something 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 Buffalo
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 Buffalo
Do I need a tax attorney or will a CPA do?
A CPA is great for preparing returns and for routine matters. When you are in a dispute - an audit, an appeal, collection, or anything with potential criminal exposure - a tax attorney gives you attorney-client privilege and can represent you in Tax Court, which a CPA generally cannot.
What is a New York residency audit?
New York aggressively audits people who claim to have changed their residency, often to a no-tax state, while keeping a home, business, or other ties in New York. It examines where you really live, day by day. These audits are document-intensive and high-stakes, which is why specialized counsel matters.
How much does a tax attorney cost in Buffalo?
Most bill $300 to $500 per hour. Defined matters - an offer in compromise, a penalty abatement, a payment plan - are often handled for a flat fee. Ask for the structure and an estimate up front.
Can a lawyer really reduce what I owe the IRS?
Sometimes. An offer in compromise can settle a debt for less than the full amount if you qualify, and penalty abatement can remove penalties for reasonable cause. Be skeptical of any firm that promises pennies on the dollar before reviewing your finances.
What should I do if I get an IRS or NYS audit notice?
Do not ignore it and do not call the auditor without preparing. Note the deadline, gather your records, and talk to a tax attorney before you respond - what you say and produce early shapes the whole audit.
What is an offer in compromise?
It is a formal IRS program that lets qualifying taxpayers settle a tax debt for less than the full balance, based on ability to pay. It is not automatic; the IRS evaluates your income, assets, and expenses, and the process usually takes six months to a year.
Can the same firm handle my business and personal tax issues?
Often, yes. Several Buffalo firms on this list handle both business tax - sales and use, employment, corporate - and individual matters like residency, income, and collection, which helps when a business issue spills into your personal return.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? 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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