Honolulu · HI · Vetted Directory

Problem with the IRS or Taxes? Honolulu Tax Lawyers

You got an IRS notice, an audit letter, a balance you cannot pay, or a Hawaii general excise tax bill that does not add up, and you want someone who handles this for a living. Tax problems get worse when ignored: notices have short deadlines, and penalties and interest keep climbing. Below are vetted Honolulu tax and IRS attorneys who handle audits, back taxes, liens, levies, and Hawaii state tax disputes.

4.5%
Honolulu general excise tax (GET)
$300-$600
Typical hourly rate
Honolulu
US Tax Court trial sessions
HI DOTAX
State tax authority

Updated April 28, 2026

When you need a Honolulu tax or IRS lawyer

A tax lawyer is the person you call when taxes stop being about filing and start being about defending. That includes an IRS audit, a notice of deficiency, back taxes you cannot pay, a lien on your property, a levy on your wages or bank account, or a Hawaii Department of Taxation dispute over general excise tax. A tax attorney can talk to the IRS for you, challenge what they claim you owe, and negotiate a way out, whether that is a payment plan, a settlement, or a finding that you cannot pay right now.

The difference between a tax lawyer and a CPA matters here. A CPA prepares and files. A tax lawyer represents you in a fight, and the advice you give a lawyer is generally protected by attorney-client privilege, which a CPA's is not. When the words "penalty," "fraud," "criminal," or "Tax Court" appear, that is lawyer territory. For ordinary return preparation, a CPA is usually all you need.

Talk to a Honolulu tax lawyer if any of the following fits your situation.

  • You received an IRS audit letter or a notice of deficiency.
  • You owe back taxes you cannot pay in full.
  • The IRS filed a lien or is threatening to levy your wages or bank account.
  • You have unfiled returns from prior years you need to clean up.
  • You owe Hawaii general excise tax (GET) or have a state tax dispute.
  • You are worried an issue could turn into a fraud or criminal tax case.
  • You want to challenge an IRS decision in US Tax Court.
  • You are dividing a business or estate and need the tax consequences handled.

How a Honolulu tax matter usually moves

For collection problems, step 1 is pulling your IRS account transcripts so you know exactly what they claim and by when. Step 2 is stopping the bleeding, requesting a hold on collection or a collection due process hearing if a deadline is near. Step 3 is the resolution: an installment agreement to pay over time, an offer in compromise to settle for less if you qualify, or currently-not-collectible status if you genuinely cannot pay. For an audit, the lawyer responds to the examiner, supplies records, and argues the law. If the IRS will not budge, you can petition the US Tax Court, which holds sessions in Honolulu. Most matters resolve without a trial, but the deadlines on IRS notices are short, so moving quickly protects your options.

What this typically costs in Honolulu

$300-$600
Typical hourly rate
$2,500-$7,500
Flat fee, audit or offer
$750-$1,500
Installment agreement
Varies
Tax Court litigation

Honolulu tax attorneys generally bill $300 to $600 an hour. Many handle a defined project for a flat fee: an installment agreement might run $750 to $1,500, while an audit defense or an offer in compromise is often $2,500 to $7,500 depending on how complex your finances are. Litigation in US Tax Court is billed hourly and costs more. Ask for a written estimate, what the flat fee covers, and what happens if the IRS rejects a first proposal.

What is specific about tax law in Hawaii and Honolulu

  • General excise tax, not sales tax. Hawaii charges a general excise tax (GET) on a business's gross income rather than a sales tax. On Oahu the rate is 4.5 percent including the county surcharge, and because it hits gross receipts, it catches many new owners off guard.
  • Hawaii Department of Taxation. State tax disputes, GET, and Hawaii income tax run through DOTAX, separate from the IRS, and a Honolulu tax lawyer can handle both.
  • US Tax Court sits in Honolulu. You do not have to fly to the mainland to challenge an IRS deficiency; the Tax Court holds trial sessions in Honolulu.
  • Federal rules, local lawyer. IRS audits, collections, and appeals follow national rules, but a Honolulu attorney who knows the local IRS and DOTAX offices makes the process smoother.
  • Deadlines are unforgiving. Many IRS notices give you 30 or 90 days to respond or petition. Missing the date can cost you the right to challenge the tax, so the first call should be early.

Honolulu firms that handle tax and IRS matters

Updated April 28, 2026. Verified across Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Justia, and firm records. We do not accept payment for placement. Where a firm's aggregate client rating is not yet compiled, we say so rather than invent one.

1

Ronald I. Heller — Torkildson Katz

Tax litigation & businessHonolulu30+ years

A Honolulu attorney with more than 30 years in tax litigation and business law, holding JD and MBA degrees and recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. A strong fit for serious IRS disputes and matters that may reach Tax Court.

Free ConsultationTax LitigationIRS DisputesBusiness Tax
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2

Joy S. Miyasaki

Tax & estate planningHonoluluFormer IRS counsel

A Honolulu tax and estate planning attorney whose prior experience includes serving as a trial attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. That inside-the-IRS background is a real advantage for clients facing audits, disputes, or wealth-transfer tax questions.

Free ConsultationTax PlanningAsset ProtectionEstate Tax
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3

Law Offices of Blake Goodman, PC

Debt & tax reliefHonoluluHigh-volume practice

A Honolulu firm focused on debt and tax problems, with a practice that has helped thousands of individuals and families address overwhelming debt and tax burdens. A fit for people facing back taxes alongside broader financial distress.

Free ConsultationBack TaxesTax ReliefDebt
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4

Richard Paul McClellan III

Tax lawHonoluluSolo practitioner

A Honolulu tax attorney listed among the area's top-rated tax practitioners on independent directories. A fit for individuals and small businesses that want focused tax counsel on IRS and Hawaii state tax matters. Ratings not yet aggregated here; check Super Lawyers and Justia for current reviews.

Free ConsultationIRSState TaxIndividuals
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5

The Tax Lawyers Group (Honolulu)

IRS & tax controversyHonolulu CountyTax-focused

A tax-focused practice serving Honolulu County clients on IRS controversy, collections, and resolution work. A solid choice when your only issue is a tax problem and you want a firm that does this and not much else.

Free ConsultationTax ControversyCollectionsSettlements
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Talk to a Honolulu tax and IRS lawyer — free.

Tell us briefly what the IRS or the state is saying. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Honolulu firm in this directory. No obligation, and most offer a free first consultation.

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Tax & IRS in Honolulu — FAQ

What does a Honolulu tax lawyer cost?
Honolulu tax attorneys generally bill $300 to $600 an hour. Many handle a defined project, such as an IRS audit, an offer in compromise, or an installment agreement, for a flat fee in the $2,500 to $7,500 range depending on complexity. Ask for a written estimate and what happens if the matter goes to Tax Court.
When should I hire a tax lawyer instead of a CPA?
Hire a tax lawyer when there is a dispute, an audit you are worried about, a large balance you cannot pay, a lien or levy, possible penalties for fraud, or anything that could become criminal. A lawyer's advice is protected by attorney-client privilege, which a CPA's generally is not. For routine return preparation, a CPA is usually enough.
What is Hawaii's general excise tax and how is it different?
Hawaii does not have a normal sales tax. Instead it charges a general excise tax (GET) on the gross income of businesses, currently 4 percent statewide with a 0.5 percent county surcharge on Oahu, so 4.5 percent in Honolulu. Because it taxes gross receipts, not profit, GET surprises many new business owners. A Honolulu tax lawyer can help with GET disputes and back-GET owed.
Where is the US Tax Court in Hawaii?
The United States Tax Court does not have a permanent building in Hawaii, but it holds trial sessions in Honolulu on a regular calendar. If you petition the Tax Court to challenge an IRS notice of deficiency, your case can be heard in Honolulu rather than on the mainland.
I owe the IRS more than I can pay. What are my options?
Common options are an installment agreement to pay over time, an offer in compromise to settle for less than the full balance if you qualify, or currently-not-collectible status if you genuinely cannot pay. A Honolulu tax lawyer reviews your finances, tells you which you qualify for, and deals with the IRS so you do not have to.
Can a tax lawyer stop an IRS lien or wage levy?
Often yes. A tax attorney can request a collection due process hearing, negotiate a payment plan or release, or challenge the underlying tax, which can lift or prevent a levy on your wages or bank account. Acting quickly matters, because deadlines on IRS notices are short and missing them limits your options.

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