An IRS or New Jersey Division of Taxation problem rarely fixes itself, and the cost of waiting is measured in penalties, interest, and liens against your business. A tax attorney can stop collection, negotiate what you actually owe, and keep a civil audit from turning into something worse. Every firm below has a verifiable tax-controversy practice serving Jersey City and Hudson County, confirmed across at least two independent sources.
Updated November 16, 202512 min readEditorially independent
If you run a business in Jersey City, a tax problem is a cash-flow problem. An unpaid payroll-tax balance, a sales-tax audit, or a six-figure income-tax bill can freeze your accounts, trigger a federal tax lien that shows up on every credit pull, and put personal assets at risk through a trust-fund recovery penalty. The lawyer you hire is the difference between a managed resolution and a runaway liability.
Tax controversy is its own specialty. It is not the same as the accountant who files your return, and it is not general business law. A tax attorney represents you before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, and the New Jersey Division of Taxation; can assert attorney-client privilege that a CPA cannot; and knows the real-world thresholds for an offer in compromise, an installment agreement, penalty abatement, or innocent-spouse relief. When an audit raises the possibility of fraud, only a lawyer can protect you on the criminal side.
The eight firms below all have a verifiable tax-controversy practice serving Jersey City and Hudson County, and each was confirmed across at least two independent sources (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers, or their own published case records). Several attorneys hold an advanced tax degree (LL.M. in Taxation) or are dual-licensed as both a CPA and an attorney. Most offer a free or reduced-fee initial consultation.
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 Jersey City-area tax / irs practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
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Todd S. Unger, Esq. LLC
Jersey City, NJGeorgetown LL.M. in TaxationIRS & NJ controversy
Practice focus: IRS audits and appeals, tax debt resolution, offers in compromise, unfiled returns, U.S. Tax Court, payroll-tax disputes
Todd S. Unger holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center and runs a dedicated IRS-controversy practice with a Jersey City office. The firm handles audits, collection cases, offers in compromise, and U.S. Tax Court matters for individuals and businesses across northern New Jersey.
Why they made the list: A tax-only attorney with an advanced tax degree and a Jersey City presence, focused entirely on resolving federal and state tax problems rather than general practice.
Serves Hudson CountySuper Lawyers Rising StarIRS & state audits
Practice focus: IRS and NJ audits, tax debt and liens, offers in compromise, payroll-tax and trust-fund recovery, sales-tax disputes
Founded by Brad Paladini, this New Jersey tax firm represents individuals and businesses through every stage of an IRS or state examination and serves clients in Jersey City and across the state. Paladini has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for multiple consecutive years.
Why they made the list: A focused tax-resolution practice with repeated peer recognition and a clear, business-friendly approach to audits and collection cases.
Practice focus: IRS audits and litigation, offshore and foreign-account compliance, criminal tax defense, U.S. Tax Court, voluntary disclosures
Led by Kevin E. Thorn, a former IRS attorney, Thorn Law Group represents clients before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, the Department of Justice, and state taxing authorities, including New Jersey businesses with complex or high-dollar exposure. The firm handles civil and criminal tax matters and offshore-account compliance.
Why they made the list: Former government tax experience and a litigation-ready practice, useful when an audit is large, involves foreign accounts, or carries criminal risk.
Practice focus: IRS and state tax controversy, audits, collection defense, offers in compromise, business and payroll-tax disputes
Thomas F. DiLullo is dual-licensed as both a CPA and a tax attorney in New York and New Jersey, with more than 35 years of combined accounting and legal experience. The practice turns complex tax controversies into negotiated resolutions for individuals and closely held businesses.
Why they made the list: A rare CPA-and-attorney combination under one roof, so the accounting analysis and the legal strategy come from the same person.
Serves Jersey City30+ years with the IRSAudits & Tax Court
Practice focus: IRS tax resolution, audits, appeals, U.S. Tax Court, unfiled returns, installment agreements, lien and levy release
Kennedy Tax Solutions is a tax-attorney practice serving Jersey City with more than 30 years of experience dealing directly with the IRS. The firm focuses on tax-debt resolution, audit representation, appeals, and U.S. Tax Court matters.
Why they made the list: Decades of hands-on IRS experience and a practice built specifically around resolving tax debt and audit exposure.
Practice focus: State and local tax, tax planning and controversy, business transactions, property-tax appeals
DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin is an established New Jersey firm whose tax group advises businesses and individuals on state and local tax, planning, and controversy work, alongside a deep corporate and real-estate practice serving Hudson County clients.
Why they made the list: A full-service firm for a business that wants its tax matter handled alongside corporate, real-estate, or property-tax issues by the same team.
Practice focus: New Jersey tax appeals, IRS and Division of Taxation disputes, business tax, property-tax appeals
McLaughlin & Nardi is a New Jersey firm with a tax practice covering Division of Taxation disputes, IRS matters, and property-tax appeals for businesses and individuals across the state, including Hudson County.
Why they made the list: A practical, business-oriented firm that handles New Jersey state tax appeals as well as federal IRS issues.
Practice focus: Business and corporate tax, tax planning and controversy, closely held companies, partnerships and LLCs
Stephen A. Timoni is a business attorney and Certified Public Accountant with more than 35 years of experience representing corporations, partnerships, LLCs, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs on tax planning and controversy matters.
Why they made the list: A CPA-attorney for owners who want tax strategy and entity-level planning, not just back-end collection defense.
Tell us what the IRS or New Jersey is asking for, and we'll connect you with one of these Jersey City-area tax attorneys for a confidential review of your options.
How to choose between them in Jersey City
Match the lawyer to the problem. A first-time audit, a payroll-tax (trust-fund) exposure, an offshore-account issue, and a criminal-referral risk are different fights. Ask each firm how many matters like yours they have resolved in the last three years, and what the outcome was.
Hire a lawyer, not just a preparer, when privilege matters. If there is any chance an audit becomes a fraud inquiry, attorney-client privilege protects your communications in a way a CPA's cannot. Firms like Thorn Law Group and Todd S. Unger handle the criminal-risk end.
Ask who actually negotiates with the IRS. Some shops hand collection cases to non-attorney staff. Confirm that a licensed tax attorney - and ideally the one you met - will sign the power of attorney and speak to the revenue officer.
Get the fee and the plan in writing. Tax resolution is often a flat fee per phase (audit, appeal, offer) or hourly. Confirm what the quote covers, what triggers additional work, and the realistic timeline before you sign.
What tax / irs help typically costs in Jersey City
Tax-controversy fees in the Jersey City market depend on whether you need a one-time audit defense, an ongoing collection resolution, or litigation. Typical ranges:
Initial consultation: Often free or a reduced flat fee; bring your IRS or NJ notices and your last two filed returns.
Audit representation: Commonly $2,500-$10,000 depending on the years and issues; complex business audits run higher.
Offer in compromise / installment agreement: Frequently $3,500-$7,500 flat, plus the IRS application fee and any required down payment on the debt.
Hourly work: Most Jersey City and northern-NJ tax attorneys bill $300-$500 per hour for advisory and dispute work.
U.S. Tax Court litigation: Quoted by engagement; expect a retainer that scales with the dollars and complexity at stake.
A legitimate tax firm will tell you early whether your goal is realistic. Be wary of any 'pennies on the dollar' guarantee - an offer in compromise is formula-driven, and no honest lawyer can promise the number before reviewing your finances.
How long it takes
Tax matters move on the government's calendar, but the milestones are predictable:
First 30 days: Engage counsel, file a power of attorney (IRS Form 2848), and stop direct contact from the revenue officer. Deadlines on notices are hard - a Notice of Deficiency gives you 90 days to petition Tax Court.
1-4 months: Audit fieldwork or document exchange. Your attorney narrows the issues and assembles support for the positions you are taking.
3-9 months: Resolution - audit closing, an appeal to the IRS Office of Appeals, or a negotiated installment agreement or offer in compromise.
6-18 months: Offers in compromise and Tax Court cases can run a year or more. Liens are released and balances reconciled once the agreement is performed.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a tax / irs lawyer in Jersey City
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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City
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 Jersey City
Do I need a tax attorney or is a CPA enough?
For preparing and filing returns, a CPA is fine. For an audit you expect to dispute, a collection action, a lien or levy, or anything that could become a fraud inquiry, hire a tax attorney - the attorney-client privilege and the courtroom option are things a CPA cannot offer.
How much does a tax attorney in Jersey City cost?
Most bill $300-$500 per hour, with flat fees common for defined work: roughly $2,500-$10,000 for an audit and $3,500-$7,500 for an offer in compromise. Several firms on this list offer a free initial consultation.
Can a lawyer really settle my IRS debt for less?
Sometimes, through an offer in compromise, but eligibility is formula-driven based on your income, assets, and ability to pay. A good lawyer runs the numbers honestly before promising anything, and will often steer you to an installment agreement or penalty abatement instead.
What is a trust-fund recovery penalty and why does it matter?
If your business withholds payroll taxes and does not remit them, the IRS can assess the unpaid 'trust fund' portion personally against owners and responsible employees. It is one of the fastest ways a business tax problem becomes a personal one, and it is worth a lawyer's attention early.
The IRS sent a Notice of Deficiency. How long do I have?
Ninety days from the date on the notice to file a petition in U.S. Tax Court (150 days if you were outside the country). Miss it and you lose the right to dispute the amount before paying. Call a tax attorney immediately.
Does New Jersey have its own tax problems I should worry about?
Yes. The New Jersey Division of Taxation runs its own audits and collection for income, sales, and business taxes, and it can issue its own liens and levies. Several firms here handle both federal IRS and New Jersey state matters.
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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