Facing the IRS or a tax problem in Spokane, WA?
Tax problems are mostly federal — audits, back taxes, liens, and levies from the IRS — but Washington adds its own business and occupation tax and sales tax through the Department of Revenue. A tax attorney can do something a preparer cannot: negotiate with the IRS, litigate in U.S. Tax Court, and protect you with attorney-client privilege.
Choosing a tax attorney is important, and the right fit depends on whether you are facing an audit, a collection action, unfiled returns, or a dispute headed to court. Below are Spokane-area firms and attorneys who handle tax controversy and IRS matters and appear consistently across Justia, Avvo, Super Lawyers, FindLaw, and Expertise.com, with verifiable tax focus. Most offer a consultation and can represent you before the IRS, the Washington Department of Revenue, and the courts.
How we picked these 5: We reviewed peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), bar recognition, 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: Federal and state tax controversy
One of the largest law firms in the Inland Northwest, with a tax practice representing clients in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon state and federal tax matters before taxing authorities, the IRS, and the courts. The firm has multiple attorneys named to the Super Lawyers lists.
Practice focus: Tax law and controversy
A long-established Spokane full-service firm with an experienced tax-law practice serving businesses and individuals across the region in tax planning and controversy matters.
Practice focus: Taxation and business tax
A Spokane business-law firm with a taxation practice advising companies and individuals on tax planning and disputes, based downtown on West Main Avenue.
Practice focus: Taxation and tax planning
A Spokane firm serving individuals, families, and businesses with strategic guidance and advocacy in taxation matters, part of a long-standing regional business-law practice.
Practice focus: IRS tax resolution
A Spokane practice focused exclusively on IRS tax problems, handling penalty abatement, offers in compromise, audit reconsideration, U.S. Tax Court representation, and collection matters from a downtown office.
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Request Free Consultation →Match the firm to the problem. A single audit or an installment agreement is different from unfiled returns spanning years, a large lien or levy, or a matter with potential criminal exposure where privilege is essential. Ask whether you will work with a licensed attorney (not just an enrolled agent), whether the firm handles U.S. Tax Court, and how it bills — hourly, flat for a defined resolution, or a mix.
People often wait too long to call a lawyer, hoping a problem resolves on its own. With most tax matters, the earlier you get advice, the more options you have and the less a mistake can cost you. A short consultation early is far cheaper than untangling a problem later.
Call sooner rather than later if there is a deadline or court date, if the other side already has a lawyer, or if real money, your rights, or your family is at stake. The first meeting is mostly about getting a clear, honest read on where you stand and what your realistic choices are — not committing to a fight.
A good tax lawyer will tell you plainly if you do not need to hire anyone yet, or if your situation can be handled simply. That candor is itself a reason to make the call: you leave knowing what matters, what does not, and what the next step actually is, instead of guessing.
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 Spokane week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated matters. Recent, repeated experience with cases like yours is the single best predictor of a good outcome.
Straight talk about your case. A good lawyer tells you what is strong and what is weak in your situation at the first meeting, not just what you want to hear. If everything sounds easy and the outcome sounds guaranteed, be skeptical — real cases have real risks, and an honest lawyer names them.
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.
Experience before the IRS and Tax Court. The lawyer who regularly negotiates with the IRS and the Washington Department of Revenue, and who can file in the U.S. Tax Court when needed, knows which resolutions are realistic and how to stop collection pressure. That practical experience is hard to fake and easy to verify — just ask what tax matters they handle most.
Most tax matters are federal and run through the IRS — an examination (audit), then proposed adjustments you can contest through the IRS appeals process, and collection actions such as liens, levies, and wage garnishments if a balance goes unpaid. A tax attorney can negotiate an installment agreement or an offer in compromise, request penalty abatement, and, when necessary, file a petition in the U.S. Tax Court before you have to pay the disputed amount.
Washington has no state income tax, but it taxes businesses through the business and occupation (B&O) tax and collects sales and use tax through the Department of Revenue, which conducts its own audits. A Spokane tax lawyer handles both the federal and the state side, and knows the IRS generally has about ten years to collect an assessed tax.
Tax attorneys in Spokane generally bill hourly — often $300 to $500 an hour — though many offer flat fees for a defined matter such as an offer in compromise, an audit, or penalty abatement. The right structure depends on how predictable the work is, so ask which applies to your situation.
What you pay is usually small next to what is at stake when the IRS is assessing taxes, penalties, and interest or threatening a levy. The value of an attorney is in stopping collection pressure, reducing what you owe where the facts allow, and keeping privileged advice between you and your lawyer. A good tax lawyer tells you honestly whether a CPA or enrolled agent could handle it for less.
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 cases” is marketing. Real evidence is named results, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, or Martindale-Hubbell ratings, 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 consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
No state income tax, but B&O tax. Washington does not tax personal income, but it taxes business gross receipts through the B&O tax and collects sales and use tax. A Spokane lawyer handles Department of Revenue issues alongside the IRS.
The ten-year collection clock. The IRS generally has about ten years to collect an assessed tax. A lawyer can tell you where you are in that window and how it affects your options.
Attorney-client privilege. Unlike a preparer, a tax attorney protects your communications with privilege — which matters whenever there is any chance of criminal exposure.
Once you hire a tax lawyer in Spokane, the relationship runs on communication and documents. Expect an engagement letter that spells out the fee and scope, a request for the records and information relevant to your matter, and a plan for what happens first. The more organized you are at the start, the faster and cheaper the work goes.
Ask at the outset how you will reach your lawyer, who else will work on your file, and how you will be kept updated. Most frustration with lawyers comes from silence, not strategy, so agree on a rhythm — a check-in after each major step, for example — and hold them to it. Save copies of everything and keep your own simple timeline as the matter moves.
Finally, be honest with your lawyer about the facts, including the unflattering ones. A lawyer can only protect you from problems they know about, and surprises that surface later are far harder to manage than ones disclosed up front. The clients who get the best results are the ones who treat the relationship as a partnership.
If you are dealing with a tax issue in Spokane 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, records, and bills connected to your situation in one place. The strength of a case 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 the other side, an agency, or a fast-talking intake person, you are allowed to say you want to speak with your own lawyer first. A reputable Spokane 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 Tax & IRS firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
A tax attorney can represent you in legal disputes with the IRS, litigate in U.S. Tax Court, and protect your communications with attorney-client privilege. CPAs and enrolled agents handle preparation and many resolutions, but not litigation or privilege.
It depends on the problem. Routine filing and many resolutions can be handled by a CPA or enrolled agent. An attorney is the right choice for disputes, court, large liabilities, and anything with potential criminal exposure.
It is an agreement to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount when you cannot pay in full or there is doubt about the liability. The IRS accepts a minority of offers, so preparation matters.
No. Washington has no personal income tax. It taxes businesses through the business and occupation (B&O) tax and collects sales and use tax through the Department of Revenue, which conducts its own audits.
Often yes. An attorney can request a collection hold, negotiate an installment agreement or offer in compromise, and pursue appeals or a Collection Due Process hearing to stop or release a levy or garnishment.
It is a federal court where you can dispute an IRS deficiency before paying it. Filing a timely Tax Court petition preserves your right to contest the tax, and an attorney can represent you there.
Most bill hourly, often $300 to $500 an hour, though many offer flat fees for a defined matter such as an audit, an offer in compromise, or penalty abatement. Ask which structure applies to your case.
The IRS generally has about ten years from the date a tax is assessed to collect it, though certain events can pause or extend that period. A lawyer can tell you where you stand in the collection window.
It is relief that can excuse one spouse from joint tax liability created by the other's errors or omissions on a joint return. Eligibility is fact-specific, and an attorney can assess whether you qualify.
Address them before the IRS does. A tax attorney can help you come into compliance, manage any penalties, and protect you with privilege — which is especially important if the unfiled years involve significant income.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many tax matters like yours they have handled in Spokane in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team