Facing the IRS or a tax problem in Des Moines?
A letter from the IRS or the Iowa Department of Revenue is not something to face alone. Audits, back taxes, liens, and appeals have strict deadlines and real consequences, and a tax attorney can often resolve far more than the notice suggests. The right lawyer protects your finances and your rights.
Tax law splits into planning that prevents problems and controversy work that fixes them. Below are Des Moines tax firms and attorneys that appear consistently across Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, and Expertise.com, with verifiable tax experience — several are former IRS or Iowa Department of Revenue attorneys, hold an LL.M. in taxation, or are also CPAs. Most handle audits, appeals, collections, offers in compromise, and U.S. Tax Court matters, along with tax planning.
How we picked these 9: We reviewed peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), bar recognition, board certifications where applicable, and consistency across independent directories such as Justia, FindLaw, and Expertise.com. Firms that appeared across multiple independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: IRS disputes, federal and state tax litigation, tax controversy
Iowa's largest law firm, whose tax attorney Bruce W. Baker is a former trial attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, handling IRS administrative practice and tax litigation. He has been named to the Great Plains Super Lawyers list, and the firm is recognized by Best Lawyers.
Practice focus: Tax planning, audits, appeals and litigation, collections, state and local tax
Tax attorney Ronald L. Mountsier was named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for Tax Law in Des Moines and listed in The Best Lawyers in America for tax. The firm's state and local tax practice is led by a former Iowa Department of Revenue attorney.
Practice focus: IRS audits and appeals, offers in compromise, U.S. Tax Court litigation
James R. Monroe holds an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University and a J.D. from the University of Iowa, has more than 30 years of experience, and was a law professor at Drake University who supervised its Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
Practice focus: Tax controversy, IRS and Iowa DOR audits, property tax appeals
Sam Kreamer is both an attorney and a CPA, admitted to the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. District Courts for Iowa, and the Eighth Circuit, representing clients in federal and state audits and property tax appeals.
Practice focus: Tax planning, business and corporate tax, estate and agricultural tax
BrownWinick's tax practice serves businesses and individuals, including agriculture and financial-services clients, with attorneys focused on tax, business formation and governance, and estate planning. The firm is a member of the TerraLex global network.
Practice focus: State and federal tax controversy, property tax, alternative dispute resolution
Belin McCormick represents individuals, businesses, and public institutions in state and federal tax matters and ADR proceedings, with a tax attorney who is a member of the Iowa Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Practice focus: IRS and state tax debt resolution, audits, installment agreements, appeals
Tax attorney Jonathan Sooriash focuses on resolving tax disputes with the IRS and state revenue departments, including audits, installment agreements, liens, and appeals, and offers free consultations.
Practice focus: Federal estate and inheritance tax disputes, business succession tax
Principal Matthew Gardner is a director and member of the Iowa Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel; the firm handles federal estate and inheritance tax disputes alongside estate, probate, and business-succession matters.
Practice focus: Tax planning, business and corporate tax, estate planning
A tax attorney with more than two decades of experience practices in tax, business, and estate planning at Whitfield & Eddy, one of Des Moines' established full-service firms.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted tax attorneys in Des Moines. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Match the lawyer to the problem. A straightforward back-tax or installment-agreement issue can be handled efficiently, sometimes for a flat fee. An audit, an appeal, a large liability, or a U.S. Tax Court case calls for a lawyer with controversy experience — ideally one who has worked inside the IRS or the Iowa Department of Revenue, or who holds an LL.M. in taxation. Ask whether they handle both federal and state matters, whether they are admitted to the U.S. Tax Court, and how they charge.
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer for you depends on your facts, your budget, and how you want to be treated. Use these five signals to compare them.
Relevant, recent experience. “We handle everything” is a weakness, not a strength. You want a lawyer who works tax matters in Des Moines week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated cases. Recent, repeated experience with situations like yours is the single best predictor of a good outcome.
Straight talk about your situation. A good lawyer tells you what is strong and what is weak at the first meeting, not just what you want to hear. If everything sounds easy and the outcome sounds guaranteed, be skeptical — real matters carry real risk, and an honest lawyer names it.
Communication you can live with. Most complaints about lawyers are not about losing — they are about silence. Ask who returns your calls, how fast, and whether you will reach the actual attorney or only a screener. Set that expectation before you sign, because it rarely improves later.
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 fee agreement is a sign of a well-run practice; a vague “don't worry about it” is a sign to keep looking.
Local knowledge. A lawyer who works in Des Moines regularly knows the local courts, clerks, and counterparts, how matters tend to resolve, and which outcomes are realistic. That practical knowledge is hard to fake and easy to verify — just ask.
Federal problems run through the IRS — audits, appeals, offers in compromise, installment agreements, and liens or levies — while state problems go through the Iowa Department of Revenue. Many Des Moines tax lawyers handle both. An audit starts with an examination and can move to IRS Appeals; an unresolved dispute can go to the U.S. Tax Court, which holds trial sessions at temporary venues in Iowa for attorneys admitted to its bar. Collection matters focus on resolving the balance through payment plans, offers in compromise, or relief programs. The credential to look for is specialized tax training — an LL.M. in taxation, a CPA license, or prior government tax service.
Tax controversy work is most often billed hourly, with rates varying by experience. Some tax-resolution matters — an offer in compromise, an installment agreement, or a single audit — are handled on a flat fee, and many tax attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. The total depends on the complexity of the issue and how far it proceeds; resolving a notice early costs far less than litigating in U.S. Tax Court. For taxpayers who cannot afford counsel, Iowa Legal Aid operates a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in Des Moines. Ask up front whether your matter is flat-fee or hourly and what the likely range is.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees how your tax matter will end before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing senior lawyer. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
No verifiable track record. “We have handled thousands of matters” is marketing. Real evidence is named results, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers, board certification where it applies, and a clean record with the state bar.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges in writing.
Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
Two authorities, two tracks. Federal issues go through the IRS and state issues through the Iowa Department of Revenue. Many Des Moines tax lawyers handle both, and some are former attorneys for one or the other — useful insight into how each side thinks.
U.S. Tax Court comes to Iowa. There is no permanent Tax Court courtroom in Des Moines; the court holds trial sessions at temporary venues, and you want a lawyer admitted to the U.S. Tax Court bar, which is a separate admission from a state license.
Look for specialized tax credentials. An LL.M. in taxation, a CPA license, or prior service with the IRS or Iowa Department of Revenue are the strongest, most verifiable signals of tax expertise in this market — stronger than general practice experience.
If you are dealing with a tax matter in Des Moines right now, a few moves protect you while you take the time to choose the right lawyer.
Write down the timeline. Put the dates, names, and what was said on paper while it is fresh. Memories fade and details that feel obvious today are easy to lose in a month, and a clear timeline makes your first consultation far more productive.
Save everything. Keep the documents, emails, text messages, notices, and bills connected to your situation in one place. The strength of a tax matter often comes down to what you can show, not just what you can say.
Do not sign or agree to anything under pressure. Whether it is an opposing party, an agency, or a fast-talking intake person, you are allowed to say you want to speak with your own lawyer first. A reputable Des Moines firm respects that; anyone who does not is telling you something.
Book two consultations. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Talk to at least two before you commit, and choose the lawyer who explains your options clearly and answers your questions without rushing you.
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Des Moines firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
A CPA is ideal for preparation and accounting, but a tax attorney adds legal representation, confidentiality, and the ability to litigate. For audits, appeals, large liabilities, or Tax Court, an attorney — or an attorney who is also a CPA — is the safer choice.
Controversy work is usually hourly, while some resolution matters like an offer in compromise are flat-fee. Many tax attorneys offer a free or low-cost first consultation. The total depends on complexity and how far the matter proceeds.
Do not ignore it, and be careful what you send before getting advice. Deadlines are firm. A tax attorney can respond on your behalf, manage the examination, and take the matter to IRS Appeals if needed.
Sometimes. Options include an offer in compromise, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief, or correcting an inflated assessment. Whether you qualify depends on your finances and the facts, which a tax attorney can evaluate.
It is an IRS program that lets qualifying taxpayers settle a tax debt for less than the full amount when paying in full would create hardship or the amount is disputed. Eligibility is fact-specific, and a lawyer can assess whether it fits.
The IRS handles federal taxes and the Iowa Department of Revenue handles state taxes, each with its own audits, appeals, and collection processes. Many Des Moines tax lawyers handle both kinds of matters.
It can escalate — a lien clouds your property and credit, and a levy can seize wages or bank funds. Acting quickly preserves options like appeals, payment plans, or relief that disappear once collection advances.
Most tax disputes resolve at the audit or appeals stage. If they do not, the U.S. Tax Court is an option, and it holds sessions at temporary Iowa venues. You want a lawyer admitted to its bar if litigation is possible.
Yes. Iowa Legal Aid operates a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in Des Moines that provides free or reduced-cost representation in IRS disputes for qualifying taxpayers.
Bring every IRS or Iowa Department of Revenue notice, recent tax returns, and any records tied to the issue, plus a timeline of what happened. Complete documents let the attorney assess deadlines and options accurately.
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 yours they have handled in Des Moines in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team