A serious tax problem — an audit, a lien, a levy, a notice of deficiency — is a legal matter, not just an accounting one. Charleston taxpayers deal with both the federal IRS and the South Carolina Department of Revenue, and deadlines move fast. The right tax attorney protects your rights, your wages, and your property while there is still time to act.
Updated February 05, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Choosing a tax lawyer is different from choosing a general attorney. You want someone who lives in the IRS collection process, who has stood in front of IRS Appeals, and who knows the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Below are Charleston, SC tax and IRS firms and attorneys that appear consistently across Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Expertise.com, and Martindale-Hubbell. Most handle the core issues of an IRS matter — audits, collections, liens and levies, offers in compromise, installment agreements, and U.S. Tax Court.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), directory listings on Justia and Expertise.com, published tax-practice credentials, and bar standing. Firms that appeared consistently across two or more independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Law Office of John Kachmarsky
Charleston (Church Street)Solo / boutique
Practice focus: IRS audits, Appeals, U.S. Tax Court, offers in compromise
A dedicated Charleston tax attorney holding a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, licensed in South Carolina and Georgia, who represents clients before the IRS and the United States Tax Court. The practice guides taxpayers through audit, into Appeals, and on to Tax Court when needed.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, audits, appeals
One of South Carolina's established full-service firms, with a tax group that defends clients against the IRS and state tax agencies in civil and criminal matters. Attorneys appear in Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers tax listings, pairing controversy work with planning across its Charleston and statewide offices.
Practice focus: Tax planning, controversy, business and state tax
A transatlantic firm with a long-standing Charleston office and tax attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. The team handles business and individual tax planning along with federal and South Carolina tax controversy, with a deep bench for high-dollar disputes.
Practice focus: Business tax, controversy, property valuation
A firm with deep Charleston roots and a substantial tax practice serving businesses at the state, national, and international levels. The group handles tax planning, employee benefits, property valuation disputes, and controversy — a strong fit for business owners with complex exposure.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, planning
A Southeastern firm with a Charleston office and tax attorneys recognized for tax law in peer rankings. The practice covers federal and South Carolina tax controversy, planning for businesses and individuals, and representation in audits and appeals, supported by a regional tax team.
Practice focus: Tax planning, state and local tax, controversy
A large Southeastern firm (formed from Nexsen Pruet) with a tax group that provides planning advice, state and local tax counsel, and tax controversy representation. Its attorneys — including former senior state revenue officials — give the practice particular strength on South Carolina Department of Revenue matters alongside federal disputes.
Practice focus: IRS and SC tax debt, offers in compromise, levies
Founded in 2003, this practice concentrates on IRS and South Carolina state tax debt resolution for individuals and small businesses. Attorney John Witherspoon helps clients navigate offers in compromise, installment agreements, and currently-not-collectible status, and works to stop liens, levies, and wage garnishment.
Practice focus: IRS audits, levies, wage garnishment, appeals
A Charleston-area practice handling a range of IRS and state tax matters: audits, IRS bank levies and wage garnishment, innocent-spouse and injured-spouse relief, administrative appeals, and tax tribunal cases. A practical option for individuals facing active collections who need direct, responsive representation.
Practice focus: Tax planning, IRS representation, audits, appeals
A firm of tax attorneys and consultants serving Charleston clients, representing individuals and businesses before the IRS in audits and related matters. The group also handles tax planning for transactions, business formations, appeals, and succession across a range of industries.
Practice focus: Lowcountry tax counsel, IRS and state matters
Tax counsel serving the Charleston Lowcountry, listed in the Cornell Law School lawyer directory for South Carolina tax law. The listing reflects attorneys who handle IRS and state tax issues for area taxpayers — a useful additional option to compare alongside the firms above.
Match the firm to the problem. A pure collection problem — back taxes, a levy, a wage garnishment, an offer in compromise — is often best handled by a focused resolution practice that does this work all day and charges a flat fee. A high-dollar audit, a criminal exposure question, a business tax dispute, or a U.S. Tax Court case calls for a firm with a deep tax bench and litigation experience.
Ask who actually handles your file, whether the lawyer has stood in front of IRS Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court, and whether they handle both federal IRS and South Carolina Department of Revenue matters. Many Charleston tax problems involve both. A lawyer who knows the local SCDOR process as well as the IRS gives you a complete picture instead of half of one.
What to look for in a tax & IRS lawyer
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer depends on your facts, your exposure, and your budget. These five signals separate a genuine tax attorney from a generalist or a sales operation.
Real tax credentials. Tax is a specialty. Look for an LL.M. in Taxation, a CPA background, or years spent solely on tax matters — and, ideally, experience as former IRS or government tax counsel. A lawyer who does tax occasionally between unrelated cases is not who you want against the IRS.
Admission to the U.S. Tax Court. Not every attorney is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. If your matter could end up there — and a notice of deficiency means it might — you want a lawyer who can file the petition and try the case, not refer it out at the last minute.
Hands-on collection and Appeals experience. Stopping a levy, releasing a lien, or winning an offer in compromise is procedural work that rewards repetition. Ask how many offers in compromise, installment agreements, and Appeals conferences the lawyer has handled recently. Numbers beat slogans.
Straight talk about eligibility. Most taxpayers do not qualify to settle for “pennies on the dollar.” A good tax lawyer tells you honestly whether an offer in compromise is realistic for your finances or whether an installment agreement is the better route. Honesty at the first meeting is the strongest signal of all.
Fees in writing, in plain English. You should leave the first meeting knowing exactly what you will pay, what it covers, and what could cost extra. A clear written engagement letter is the mark of a well-run tax practice; a vague promise to “take care of it” is a reason to keep looking.
What an IRS tax matter looks like in Charleston
Most serious tax matters begin with a letter. An audit (examination) questions items on a return and can be handled by mail, in an office, or in the field; you have the right to representation, and a lawyer can respond on your behalf. If you disagree with the outcome, you can take the case to IRS Appeals, an independent function that resolves most disputes without litigation.
If you owe and cannot pay, the matter shifts to collections. The IRS can file a tax lien against your property and, after notice, levy wages or bank accounts. Before most levies you have the right to a Collection Due Process hearing. The common resolutions are an installment agreement (a monthly payment plan), currently-not-collectible status when you genuinely cannot pay, or an offer in compromise that settles the debt for less than the full balance when you qualify.
If you receive a statutory notice of deficiency and disagree, you generally have 90 days to file a petition in the United States Tax Court to contest the tax before paying it — many cases settle with IRS counsel before trial. Running parallel to all of this is the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR), which administers state income, sales, and other taxes with its own audits, assessments, and appeals. Many Charleston tax problems involve both the IRS and SCDOR, which is why a lawyer comfortable on both fronts is so valuable.
What does a tax lawyer in Charleston cost?
Most Charleston tax attorneys bill hourly for contested and advisory work — commonly about $300 to $600 an hour, with retainers often $2,500 to $7,500 up front, depending on the firm's size and the complexity of your matter. Larger regional firms sit at the top of that range; focused solo and boutique practices often sit lower.
Resolution work is frequently handled for a flat fee. Audit representation, an installment agreement, or an offer in compromise is often quoted as a fixed amount — commonly in the low to mid four figures, with complex offers and multi-year matters running higher. The biggest cost driver is how far the matter goes: a problem resolved at the audit or collection stage costs far less than one that reaches Tax Court.
Red flags to watch for
“Settle for pennies on the dollar” guarantees. This is the calling card of national tax-resolution mills. No ethical attorney can promise an offer in compromise will be accepted before reviewing your finances. Most taxpayers do not qualify, and anyone who guarantees otherwise is selling, not advising.
Large upfront fees with vague deliverables. Tax-resolution sales operations often collect thousands before doing anything, then stall. A legitimate firm explains exactly what each fee buys and when the work happens.
No licensed attorney on your file. Many advertised “tax relief” companies are staffed by salespeople and case managers, not lawyers. Confirm an actual licensed tax attorney — accountable to the state bar — is handling your matter.
Pressure to sign today. “This deal expires tonight” is a sales tactic, not legal advice. A reputable tax lawyer gives you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it.
No verifiable track record. “We've resolved millions in tax debt” is marketing. Real evidence is named tax credentials, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers, U.S. Tax Court admission, and a clean record with the bar.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost first consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
What are your tax credentials? Ask about an LL.M. in Taxation, a CPA background, or former IRS or government tax experience.
Are you admitted to the U.S. Tax Court? It matters if your matter could end up there.
Who, specifically, will handle my case day to day? Get a name and an email, not just a firm brand or a case manager.
How many matters like mine have you handled recently? You want a number for audits, offers, or Appeals — not a brochure line.
Is an offer in compromise realistic for me? A good lawyer gives an honest read, not a pennies-on-the-dollar promise.
What is your fee, and is it hourly or flat? Get the answer in writing before you sign anything.
What are the deadlines on my notices? Confirm the dates for Appeals or a Tax Court petition so nothing is missed.
Do you handle both IRS and SCDOR matters? Many Charleston cases involve both the federal and state agencies.
What is the realistic range of outcomes here? A good lawyer gives you a range; a weak one promises the best case.
What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Understand how your file and any fee are handled.
Talk to a Charleston tax & IRS lawyer — free, no obligation
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Charleston firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a tax lawyer or a CPA for an IRS problem in Charleston?
A CPA is ideal for preparing and filing returns. A tax attorney is the right call when there is a dispute, exposure, or anything that could become a legal matter — an audit you are contesting, IRS collections, a lien or levy, an offer in compromise, or a U.S. Tax Court petition. Attorney-client privilege also protects your conversations in a way a standard accountant relationship may not.
How long do I have to respond to an IRS notice?
It depends on the notice. Many carry a 30-day window to request Appeals, and a statutory notice of deficiency gives you 90 days to petition the U.S. Tax Court. Missing those deadlines can forfeit rights, so bring any IRS letter to a lawyer promptly rather than waiting.
What is an offer in compromise?
An offer in compromise is an IRS program that lets qualifying taxpayers settle a tax debt for less than the full amount owed when paying in full would create financial hardship or the amount is genuinely in doubt. Most taxpayers do not qualify, and the IRS examines income, expenses, and assets closely, so realistic eligibility advice matters.
Can the IRS take my Charleston home or wages?
The IRS can file a lien against property and, after notice, levy wages or bank accounts to collect unpaid tax. You generally have the right to a Collection Due Process hearing first. A tax lawyer can often stop or release a levy by arranging an installment agreement, currently-not-collectible status, or another resolution.
What is the South Carolina Department of Revenue's role?
The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) handles state income, sales, and other state taxes — separate from the federal IRS. A state audit, assessment, or collection action runs through SCDOR and its own appeals process. Many Charleston tax matters involve both the IRS and SCDOR, so a lawyer who handles both is useful.
What does a tax lawyer in Charleston cost?
Tax attorneys typically bill hourly, commonly about $300 to $600 an hour, with retainers often $2,500 to $7,500. Many resolution matters — an offer in compromise, an installment agreement, or audit representation — are handled for a flat fee, often in the low to mid four figures depending on complexity.
Should I go to U.S. Tax Court?
If you receive a notice of deficiency and disagree, filing a Tax Court petition within 90 days lets you contest the tax before paying it. Many cases settle with IRS counsel before trial. A lawyer admitted to the U.S. Tax Court can advise whether litigation or an administrative resolution is the better path for your facts.
Are tax-resolution companies that advertise on TV the same as a tax lawyer?
No. Many national tax-resolution firms are sales operations that promise to settle debts for pennies on the dollar and charge large upfront fees, sometimes without a licensed attorney handling your file. A local tax attorney is bound by bar ethics, cannot guarantee outcomes, and is accountable to you and the state bar.
Can a tax lawyer stop an IRS wage garnishment?
Often yes. By contacting the IRS, filing missing returns, and proposing a resolution such as an installment agreement or currently-not-collectible status, a tax lawyer can frequently get a levy released or a garnishment stopped. Acting quickly after the first notice gives you the most options.
What should I bring to a tax consultation?
Bring every IRS or SCDOR letter you have received, recent tax returns, any audit or examination correspondence, and a rough picture of your income, assets, and what you owe. The more complete the file, the more specific and useful the lawyer's first read of your options will be.
One last thing. Choosing a tax lawyer is personal, and the clock on IRS notices runs whether you act or not. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one about their tax credentials and how many matters like yours they have handled in Charleston recently. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team
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