Fort Lauderdale · FL · Vetted Directory

Top Tax & IRS Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale

Florida has no state personal income tax, but a Fort Lauderdale tax problem usually means the IRS or the Florida Department of Revenue, which collects sales and use tax. A tax lawyer steps in when you owe back taxes, face an audit, or get a lien or levy. If the IRS sends a notice of deficiency, you generally have 90 days to petition the U.S. Tax Court before the bill becomes final. Below are vetted Fort Lauderdale firms that handle IRS and Florida tax matters.

No State Tax
Florida Income Tax
90 Days
U.S. Tax Court Deadline
$160-$416/hr
Typical FL Tax Hourly
Free
Initial Consult

Updated May 12, 2026

When you need a Fort Lauderdale tax lawyer

Plenty of tax questions can be handled by a CPA. Bring in a tax lawyer when money, penalties, or the IRS are seriously involved:

  • You owe back taxes you cannot pay and want an installment agreement or offer in compromise.
  • The IRS is auditing you, or has filed a lien or levy against your wages, bank account, or property.
  • You received a notice of deficiency and the 90-day Tax Court clock is running.
  • The Florida Department of Revenue says you owe sales or use tax for your business.
  • You are facing payroll tax problems or a trust fund recovery penalty.
  • You are worried a tax issue could turn criminal, such as alleged tax fraud or unfiled returns.

A lawyer, unlike a return preparer, can represent you in Tax Court and protect attorney-client privilege if a dispute turns serious. Acting before a deadline passes is almost always cheaper than fixing a default later.

What tax help costs in Fort Lauderdale

Tax representation blends flat-fee phases for audits and settlements with hourly billing for disputes:

$160-$416/hr
Typical FL tax attorney
$2,500-$7,500
Offer in compromise or audit defense
$295-$500/hr
Tax controversy and litigation
Free
Initial consultation

The average Fort Lauderdale tax attorney rate runs about $378 an hour. Many firms quote flat fees for a defined project, such as preparing an offer in compromise or handling an audit through appeals. Get the scope and fee in writing, and ask whether a CPA on staff can keep costs down on the number-crunching.

How long tax matters take

Timelines depend on which agency and what stage you are in:

  • IRS installment agreement: often set up within a few weeks once your returns are filed.
  • Offer in compromise: typically 6 to 12 months for the IRS to decide.
  • Audit through appeals: several months to over a year.
  • U.S. Tax Court petition: must be filed within 90 days of a notice of deficiency.

For a national overview, see our tax and IRS guide, or browse all Fort Lauderdale lawyers.

Fort Lauderdale firms that handle tax matters

1

Klitzman Law Group, PLLC

Fort LauderdaleSmall firmIRS audits, tax debt, settlements

Founding attorney Lawrence Klitzman holds an LL.M. in taxation and has more than 30 years representing taxpayers in IRS negotiations, audits, and settlements. A strong fit if you owe back taxes and want a seasoned negotiator.

Free consultHourly + flat fee
Request Free Consult
2

Loving Scully Law Group PLLC

Fort LauderdaleSmall firmTax planning, IRS litigation

A family-run Fort Lauderdale firm with decades of combined tax planning and litigation experience, focused on resolving IRS problems for individuals and businesses.

Consultation by appt.Hourly
Request Free Consult
3

Cohen Legal Services

Fort LauderdaleSmall firmIRS and Florida tax debt

A full-service Fort Lauderdale practice that represents individuals and corporations facing IRS and Florida Department of Revenue tax debt.

Consultation by appt.Hourly
Request Free Consult
4

Law Office of Ray Haselman

Fort LauderdaleSolo practiceTax disputes, IRS representation

Attorney Ray Haselman handles a range of tax matters for Fort Lauderdale-area clients, from IRS notices and audits to liens and levies.

Consultation by appt.Hourly
Request Free Consult

See the full ranked write-up in our Top 10 tax lawyers in Fort Lauderdale guide. Firm details are gathered from public sources; ratings not shown are not yet aggregated.

Talk to a Fort Lauderdale tax lawyer - free.

Tell us briefly what is going on. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Fort Lauderdale firm in this directory.

Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tax & IRS in Fort Lauderdale - FAQ

How long do I have to challenge the IRS in Fort Lauderdale?
If the IRS mails you a notice of deficiency, you generally have 90 days to file a petition with the U.S. Tax Court. Miss that window and the tax becomes final and the IRS can begin collection. A tax lawyer can file the petition and, in many cases, settle with IRS Appeals before trial.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida has no state personal income tax, so most Fort Lauderdale tax problems involve the IRS. Businesses, though, can owe Florida sales and use tax to the Florida Department of Revenue, which has its own audit and collection powers.
How much does a tax attorney cost in Fort Lauderdale?
Hourly rates commonly run $160 to $416, averaging around $378. Many firms charge a flat fee for a defined project such as an offer in compromise or audit defense, often $2,500 to $7,500. Ask for the fee structure in writing before work begins.
Can a tax lawyer stop an IRS wage garnishment or bank levy?
Often, yes. A lawyer can request a collection due process hearing, negotiate an installment agreement or offer in compromise, or show financial hardship to release a levy. The sooner you act after the IRS notice, the more options you have.
Do I need a tax lawyer or a CPA?
A CPA prepares returns and handles routine filings. A tax lawyer is the better choice when you face an audit you expect to dispute, owe a large balance, are dealing with liens or levies, or worry a matter could become criminal, because only a lawyer can represent you in Tax Court and protect attorney-client privilege.

Related on LawFirmSquare