Denver · CO · Vetted Directory

Tax / IRS Lawyers in Denver

IRS audit notice, tax lien, wage levy, unfiled returns, or an Offer in Compromise that needs to land? These Denver tax firms handle civil and criminal tax controversy in front of the IRS, the Colorado Department of Revenue, and the U.S. Tax Court.

6
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IRS + CDOR
Federal + State
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Updated 2026-04-09

When a Denver business or individual needs a tax lawyer

Most people who end up calling a Denver tax lawyer get there by one of five routes. The IRS sent a notice — CP2000, CP14, Letter 1058, or a CDP notice — and the deadline to respond is now less than 30 days. Several years of returns went unfiled and the IRS is starting to file substitute returns showing taxes owed. A business owner pulled cash without paying employment taxes and got a Trust Fund Recovery Penalty assessment against them personally. Someone owes more than they can pay and wants to file an Offer in Compromise. Or a sale-of-business closing surfaced a question that the CPA cannot answer with privilege.

A Denver tax attorney does what a CPA cannot. Attorney-client privilege protects sensitive communications. Tax Court representation requires admission to the U.S. Tax Court bar — most CPAs are not admitted, while many Denver tax lawyers are. Criminal-tax matters require a lawyer from the first IRS Criminal Investigation contact; there is no version of a criminal tax case where a CPA is the right professional to handle it. And for civil controversy that has moved past appeals into actual litigation, the work shifts to motion practice and trial work that is firmly a lawyer's job.

What to ask a Denver tax lawyer up front: are you admitted to the U.S. Tax Court bar? Have you handled cases like mine in the Denver IRS office or the Colorado Department of Revenue? What is your fee structure — hourly, flat, hybrid? And, for collections-side matters, what is the realistic outcome here — what does a successful resolution look like for someone in my financial position?

Firms in Denver that handle tax / IRS matters

1

Anderson & Jahde

📍 Denver, COFounded 1995Tax controversy boutique

Practice focus: Civil and criminal tax disputes and trials. Several former IRS trial lawyers on the bench. Named 2023 Lawyer of the Year in Tax for the Denver area by Best Lawyers In America. Common pick for serious controversy and Tax Court matters.

Hourly $385–$650Former IRS trial lawyers
2

Gantenbein Law Firm

📍 Denver, COLLM in Tax credentialsBoutique

Practice focus: IRS tax liens, IRS tax audits, tax litigation, and ongoing tax counsel. Attorneys hold the LLM in Tax — the highest tax-law degree. Also handles related contracts and real-estate work for tax-driven structures.

Hourly $295–$495LLM Tax
3

The McGuire Law Firm

📍 Denver, COTax + business focusBoutique

Practice focus: IRS audits, business tax issues, collections, Offers in Compromise. Common pick when the tax matter is wrapped up with an underlying business issue — sale, restructuring, payroll problem.

Hourly $325–$525Business + Tax
4

David A. Sprecace, P.C.

📍 Denver, COIn practice since 1993Tax controversy solo

Practice focus: Tax controversy and litigation at all levels of the IRS, the Colorado Department of Revenue, and municipal tax authorities. Long-tenured Denver tax-controversy attorney; deep familiarity with the Denver IRS and CDOR offices.

Hourly $325–$495IRS + CDOR + municipal
5

Philip Falco, CPA/Attorney

📍 Downtown Denver18+ yearsDual CPA + attorney

Practice focus: Tax planning, audit representation, controversy. Dual CPA and attorney credentials — useful when the matter requires return preparation and legal representation under one roof.

Hourly $295–$475CPA + JD
6

Defense Tax Partners — Denver

📍 Denver, COResolution-focusedNational firm

Practice focus: IRS and CDOR resolution work — installment agreements, OIC, levy release, lien withdrawal. National firm with Denver coverage. Flat-fee pricing on most resolution matters.

Flat $2,500–$12,500Resolution focus

What this typically costs in Denver

Ranges from real Denver tax firms, current to 2026. IRS user fees pass through at cost.

Initial consultation
Free – $350

Most Denver tax firms offer a free 30-minute call to triage; paid consults for in-depth analysis.

Notice response (single)
$750 – $2,500

Respond to a CP2000, CP14, or similar notice. Flat fee typical.

Audit representation
$2,500 – $15,000

From correspondence audit at the low end to a multi-year field audit at the high end.

Offer in Compromise
$3,500 – $10,000

Flat fee for preparation and submission. IRS user fee $205 (or waived for low-income).

Installment agreement
$1,200 – $3,500

For complex situations; simple installment agreements you can file directly with the IRS.

Levy or lien release
$1,800 – $6,500

Bank levy, wage levy, or lien withdrawal/subordination. Time-sensitive — start fast.

Tax Court petition + trial
$25,000 + retainer

For matters that proceed to U.S. Tax Court. Hourly thereafter.

Criminal tax defense
$25,000 – $250,000+

Range varies enormously with charge severity. Get a lawyer the moment Criminal Investigation calls.

Typical turnaround in Denver

  1. Same day – 1 weekEngagement, IRS Power of Attorney (Form 2848) filed. Lawyer becomes your point of contact with the IRS.
  2. 1 – 4 weeksTranscript pull, returns review, financial information statement (Form 433-A or 433-B) prepared for collections matters.
  3. 3 – 12 monthsAudit defense — examination, document production, conferences with the IRS examiner.
  4. 6 – 12 monthsOffer in Compromise review by IRS. About 30–40% are accepted nationally.
  5. 6 – 18 monthsAppeals if the audit goes against you. Independent appeals officer reviews the case.
  6. 12 – 36 monthsTax Court if appeals fails. Most cases settle before trial.

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Tax / IRS in Denver — FAQ

How much does a tax lawyer cost in Denver?
Denver tax attorneys typically bill $295–$650/hour. Routine audit representation runs $2,500–$15,000 depending on complexity and how far the audit progresses. Offer in Compromise representation is usually $3,500–$10,000 flat. Tax Court litigation moves to $25,000+ retainer plus hourly.
When should I hire a Denver tax lawyer instead of a CPA?
Use a CPA for return preparation, planning, and routine compliance. Hire a tax lawyer when there is a dispute — an audit moves to appeals, you have unfiled returns, you owe more than you can pay, you receive a Notice of Deficiency, the IRS opens a criminal investigation, or you need attorney-client privilege protecting sensitive communications. A CPA cannot give you full privilege.
What is an Offer in Compromise and do I qualify?
An Offer in Compromise lets you settle your IRS debt for less than the full amount owed. You qualify if the IRS calculates that your "reasonable collection potential" is less than the debt — meaning, considering your income, assets, and expenses, the IRS believes it could not collect the full amount. Most successful OIC submissions involve significant medical expenses, unemployment, or other hardship. About 30–40% of submitted OICs get accepted.
How long does an IRS audit take in Colorado?
A correspondence audit (mail-based, usually one or two issues) wraps in 3–6 months. An office audit at the Denver IRS office takes 6–12 months. A field audit — IRS agent at your business — runs 9–18 months on average and longer if it goes to appeals. Statute of limitations on assessment is generally three years from filing; the IRS will sometimes ask you to extend it during a long audit.
Does Colorado have its own tax disputes process?
Yes. The Colorado Department of Revenue runs its own audit and appeals process, separate from the IRS. State tax controversy typically involves Colorado income tax, sales/use tax, or wage withholding. Several Denver tax lawyers handle both IRS and CDOR matters, which matters because state and federal audits often surface together.
What happens if I owe the IRS and cannot pay?
Options in rough order of preference: short-term payment plan (under 120 days, free), long-term installment agreement ($31–$130 setup fee, monthly payments), Offer in Compromise (settle for less), Currently Not Collectible status (IRS pauses collection if you cannot pay anything), or bankruptcy (some income tax debts older than three years are dischargeable). A Denver tax lawyer can run the numbers and pick the best route.
What is the difference between a tax lien and a tax levy?
A federal tax lien is the IRS's legal claim against your property when you owe taxes — it shows up on credit reports and clouds title to real estate but does not take anything. A levy is the IRS actually taking property: bank account, wages, or other assets. A levy is usually preceded by multiple notices and a 30-day Final Notice of Intent to Levy. Both can usually be released or resolved with proper representation.

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