An IRS letter is not the time to read the IRC for the first time. The right San Diego tax attorney knows the agent assigned to your case, the local appeals office, and which arguments actually work — so you stop the levy, settle the audit, and protect what's left.
Updated March 4, 202613 min readEditorially independent
These 10 San Diego tax firms handle IRS audits, appeals, and collection defense; California Franchise Tax Board, EDD, and CDTFA matters; criminal tax investigations; offers in compromise and installment agreements; FBAR and foreign reporting; estate and gift tax planning; and tax issues for closely held businesses. Several attorneys hold LL.M. degrees in taxation and many spent time at the IRS or DOJ Tax Division before private practice.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Brotman Law
📍 Mission ValleyFounded 2013Boutique
Practice focus: IRS controversy, California state tax, criminal tax, payroll tax audits, offshore disclosures
Sam Brotman holds a J.D., LL.M. in Taxation, and MBA and the firm has handled more than 3,000 tax cases since 2013. Particularly strong for individuals facing IRS criminal investigations and businesses fighting California payroll tax audits.
Fee structure
Hourly + flat
Free consultation
Free initial
“Sam walked me through the whole audit in plain English, told me what was real risk and what wasn't, and saved me a six-figure assessment.” — Verified client composite, public reviews
Practice focus: Tax controversy, IRS examinations and appeals, state tax disputes, criminal tax
HFM's tax controversy practice, led by Mitch Dubick (board-certified tax law specialist), represents individuals and business entities before the IRS and all state taxing authorities. Strong fit for clients who want the IRS issue handled inside a full-service firm.
Practice focus: IRS audit defense, criminal tax defense, FBAR, offer in compromise, California tax disputes
Ronson J. Shamoun's firm runs one of the larger dedicated tax practices in San Diego, with attorneys holding LL.M. degrees in taxation. Known for handling complex IRS examinations and criminal tax matters alongside everyday collection issues.
Practice focus: IRS audit and collection defense, tax planning, FBAR, California tax controversies
Michael Dallo is a California State Bar Certified Tax Law Specialist and a former Tax Division attorney with the US Department of Justice. The firm is a fit for high-income individuals and small business owners who want a former government tax lawyer on their side.
Fee structure
Hourly + flat
Free consultation
Free initial
“He walked into the IRS office knowing every agent by name. The case was settled in 45 days.” — Verified client composite, public reviews
The team includes former IRS attorneys with first-hand experience inside IRS enforcement. Ranked by Best Lawyers as a top US tax firm. Strong for clients whose case is headed for Appeals or US Tax Court.
Practice focus: Civil and criminal tax litigation and controversy
Kevan P. McLaughlin is an award-winning tax litigator whose practice focuses on civil and criminal tax cases. Frequently appears on regional best-lawyer lists for tax controversy. Good fit when the case is contested and heading toward litigation.
Practice focus: IRS tax debt resolution, wage garnishment release, audit defense, offer in compromise, installment agreements
BBB-accredited, A+ rated firm focused on collection defense — wage levies, bank levies, lien releases, and offers in compromise. Strong fit when you need fast action on an active collection matter.
Practice focus: IRS audit, tax fraud, tax court litigation, business and individual tax controversy
More than a decade representing San Diego clients against the IRS on income tax evasion claims, audits, and litigation. Practical, controversy-first practice.
Practice focus: IRS and California tax controversy, FTB and EDD audits, payroll tax, tax court
Former auditor turned tax attorney. Strong for California-specific tax issues — FTB residency audits, EDD worker classification, CDTFA sales tax — where local agency knowledge matters as much as IRS strategy.
Practice focus: Tax planning, international tax, US/Mexico tax, IRS controversy, estate and gift
San Diego's largest local firm. Strong fit for cross-border tax issues — US/Mexico, FBAR, foreign trusts — and for businesses that need tax planning integrated with corporate and M&A work.
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What does a tax and IRS engagement cost in San Diego?
San Diego tax controversy work breaks down by type. A simple installment agreement or penalty abatement letter runs $1,500 to $4,000 flat. A standard IRS audit through closing letter runs $5,000 to $25,000. Offers in compromise run $3,500 to $10,000 in fees regardless of outcome. IRS appeals add $8,000 to $30,000. US Tax Court litigation runs $25,000 to $250,000+. Criminal tax defense usually starts at $50,000 and goes up sharply from there. Hourly rates at San Diego tax boutiques sit at $400 to $750/hour; AmLaw 100 firms charge $650 to $1,100/hour.
What to expect from a San Diego tax and IRS engagement
An IRS audit takes 6 to 18 months from notice to closing letter, longer if Appeals is involved. Add 9 to 14 months for an IRS Appeals process. US Tax Court cases run 12 to 36 months from petition to decision. An offer in compromise takes the IRS 6 to 9 months to evaluate. Installment agreements are usually approved within 30 to 60 days. California FTB residency audits run 12 to 24 months and EDD worker-classification audits typically resolve in 6 to 12 months.
Red flags to watch for when picking a tax and IRS lawyer in San Diego
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, registration, or settlement number, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to deals closed, verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. “We’ve helped thousands of clients” is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. “Don’t worry about cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate San Diego lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what’s covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most San Diego firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
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 answer in writing before you sign.
What expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes for a matter like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Know who’s on the team.
How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; make sure you understand the mechanics.
What’s the worst-case outcome for my matter? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What’s specific about a tax and IRS matter in San Diego
California Franchise Tax Board on top of the IRS. Most San Diego tax matters involve the FTB as well — California assesses its own income tax and pursues residency audits aggressively. A federal-only tax lawyer can miss the state issue and cost you twice.
Cross-border issues. San Diego has the highest concentration of US/Mexico tax matters in the country. If you have rental property, business income, or family wealth on either side of the border, hire a firm that handles FBARs and Form 8938 every week.
EDD worker classification. California's Employment Development Department audits San Diego small businesses constantly over independent contractor vs. employee classification under AB 5 and the ABC test. A San Diego tax attorney who's argued these recently is worth the rate.
San Diego IRS office and Appeals. The IRS office is at 880 Front Street and the local Appeals office handles regional cases. Attorneys who appear there regularly know which examiners are reasonable and which require a quick escalation.
Frequently asked questions
I just got an IRS audit letter — what should I do first?
Do not call the IRS agent yet. Read the letter carefully, note the deadline (usually 30 days), and call a San Diego tax attorney for a free initial consultation. The first call from the IRS sets the tone for the entire audit; what you say matters and you cannot un-say it.
How much does an offer in compromise cost in San Diego?
Attorney fees run $3,500 to $10,000 for a full offer in compromise package — financial analysis, Form 433-A or 433-B, the offer itself, and follow-up with the IRS unit. The IRS user fee is $205, plus a 20% non-refundable deposit on the offer amount. Most offers take 6 to 9 months to evaluate.
Can a San Diego tax attorney really stop a wage garnishment?
Yes, in most cases. An attorney can file Form 911 (Taxpayer Advocate request), submit a Collection Due Process request, or negotiate an immediate installment agreement to release a levy. Most San Diego tax firms can get a wage garnishment lifted within 7 to 14 days if you have the documentation ready.
Do I need a tax attorney or a CPA for an IRS audit?
A CPA can represent you in an audit, but only an attorney can assert attorney-client privilege, give legal advice on potential criminal exposure, or litigate in US Tax Court. For a routine correspondence audit on a deduction, a CPA is usually fine. For anything involving unreported income, employment tax, or possible fraud referral, hire an attorney.
What is FBAR and do I have to file one?
FBAR (Form FinCEN 114) is required if you have foreign bank or financial accounts whose aggregate value exceeded $10,000 at any point in the year. San Diego has a high FBAR-compliance population thanks to US/Mexico ties. Missing an FBAR can trigger penalties of $10,000 per account per year (non-willful) or 50% of the account balance per year (willful).
Can the IRS take my house?
Theoretically yes, practically rarely. The IRS can place a lien on your home and, after extensive procedural steps, levy it — but the agency seizes very few primary residences each year. What's far more common is a wage levy, bank levy, or notice of federal tax lien that blocks a sale or refinance. A San Diego tax attorney can usually negotiate a payment plan that avoids all of this.
What does it cost to fight an FTB residency audit?
California FTB residency audits are some of the most expensive tax matters in the country — typically $30,000 to $150,000 in fees if it goes through the Office of Tax Appeals. Most San Diego tax firms run a free initial assessment to tell you whether the audit is winnable before you spend on a full defense.
Will hiring a San Diego tax attorney make the IRS more aggressive?
No. The IRS is required to deal with your designated representative once you file Form 2848 Power of Attorney. In practice, most agents prefer working with an experienced tax attorney because the conversation is cleaner and the documents come in correctly. Cases tend to close faster, not slower.
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 everything. — The LawFirmSquare team
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