Got an IRS notice you don't understand? A Washington Department of Revenue audit? Unfiled returns piling up? The 8 firms below handle IRS audits, Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, Tax Court litigation, criminal tax defense, and Washington state Department of Revenue disputes for Seattle individuals and businesses.
Washington tax practice has a personality of its own. The state has no personal income tax (yet) but does have a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax, sales/use tax, and — since 2022 — a capital-gains tax that survived its constitutional challenge in Quinn v. State. The Washington Department of Revenue runs aggressive audits, particularly on sales/use, B&O classification, and unclaimed property. Federal IRS work in Seattle goes through the Seattle Appeals office or, for litigation, the U.S. Tax Court, the District Court for the Western District of Washington, or the Court of Federal Claims. Criminal tax defense pulls in the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and, for some matters, the U.S. Attorney's Office.
An individual with $50K+ in back taxes considering an Offer in Compromise. A small business owner whose payroll taxes fell behind. A high-net-worth Seattle taxpayer dealing with the Washington capital-gains tax. An estate executor administering a Washington estate-tax return. A business under DOR audit for sales-tax nexus or B&O classification. A taxpayer issued a 30-day or 90-day letter by the IRS. A company facing an offshore-account audit or FBAR penalty. An equity-comp recipient with RSU or ISO timing issues. A crypto investor with reporting questions. A founder selling a business and planning around QSBS or capital gains.
A CPA prepares returns and represents you at audit. A tax lawyer has attorney-client privilege (CPAs do not in most settings), can litigate in U.S. Tax Court, can defend criminal tax matters, and is the right call when audit conversations might turn into criminal exposure. For routine returns, a CPA. For audits with stakes, controversies, Tax Court, or criminal exposure, a tax lawyer — often working alongside your CPA.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, civil and criminal tax defense, Tax Court litigation. One of Seattle's most established tax-controversy boutiques. Common pick for IRS audits, Appeals, and U.S. Tax Court matters.
Practice focus: IRS collections, Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, tax debt resolution. Seattle-area boutique focused on individual and small-business tax-debt resolution. Substantial OIC volume.
Practice focus: IRS audits, Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, levy and lien releases. Long-established Seattle solo focused on IRS collections, audits, and OICs for individuals and small businesses.
Practice focus: Federal tax controversy, U.S. Tax Court, IRS Appeals. Former IRS attorney. Frequently represents individuals and businesses in IRS audits, Appeals, and Tax Court.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, M&A tax, international tax, partnership tax. Seattle-headquartered AmLaw 100 firm with a substantial tax practice handling complex controversies and transaction tax.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, M&A tax, partnership tax, executive comp. Seattle-headquartered global firm with substantial tax practice across controversy and transactional work.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, M&A tax, executive comp, charitable. Seattle-headquartered AmLaw 100 firm with broad tax practice including controversies and transactional work.
Practice focus: Federal and state tax controversy, business tax, estate tax, exempt organizations. Mid-sized Pacific Northwest firm with substantial tax practice covering business, estate, and exempt-organization tax.
Ranges from real Seattle firms, current to 2026. Government fees billed separately and pass through at cost.
Most Seattle tax firms offer a 30-minute initial consult at no charge. Bring the notice and any prior returns.
Flat-fee defense of a correspondence or office audit for individuals or small businesses.
Field audits or complex business audits. Usually hourly at $400–$900 with budget cap.
Flat fee to prepare and submit OIC. IRS acceptance rate is roughly 30–40% nationally; quality of submission matters.
Negotiate installment agreement under $250K (streamlined) or above (full financial disclosure).
Full Tax Court representation from petition through trial. Lower for early settlement at Appeals.
Criminal Investigation Division inquiry through grand jury or indictment. Highly variable.
B&O, sales/use, or estate-tax audit defense in front of the Washington Department of Revenue.
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