5 Important Questions to Ask an Income and GST/HST Tax Lawyer

When it comes to handling your yearly taxes, you’re always better off letting professional and experienced income tax lawyers handle the entire process, from filing your initial returns to dealing with your government revenue agency if there are discrepancies or errors during the process.

Before you can get to that step, you need to hire a tax attorney you can trust. You need an industry professional who understands the logistics and nuances of your country’s tax system and can offer a painless experience so that you can focus on your personal or professional financial matters.

In this guide, we’ll help you get closer to that step by outlining five important questions we recommend asking any income tax lawyer you’re considering hiring. With this knowledge and insight, you can go into your meetings feeling better prepared and confident you’re making the right decision.

1. What Area of Income Tax Law Do You Specialize in?

When it comes to filing income taxes, there is often a common misconception that it’s a one-size-fits-all process. The reality is that there are specific differences between personal and corporate income taxes. You want to ensure your income tax lawyer specializes in your preferred area. If you’re filing personal income taxes, the process will vary from someone on the corporate side. Checking this off your list will ensure you don’t waste your time or money.

2. Where are You Licensed?

Depending on your tax situation, you’ll likely need to find an income tax lawyer that’s licensed to practice in the court or courts you need for your case or may need in the future. If you’re running a business, you may need a tax lawyer that is licensed to deal with federal courts or your country’s specific tax court system.

3. What is Your Current Rate?

Hiring a tax professional is never a free endeavor. It’s important to consult with your potential counsel regarding their current rates and if they charge additional fees for any personalized services. The tax lawyers at TaxLawCanada.com recommend giving as much detail about your past income tax results and current fiscal situation, to ensure you can receive a clear-cut answer and can budget accordingly.

4. What is Your Communication Style?

How you communicate with your income tax lawyer is an important part of building your professional relationship. Each industry expert is different — some may communicate strictly by email or phone, while others welcome frequent in-office appointments to discuss the details of your situation. Ensure you’re on the same page about what you expect from your tax lawyer.

5. Do You Exclusively Deal with Income Tax Issues?

The process of filing and owing taxes can be a long, arduous process — and you may want to inquire whether or not they’re also dealing with other areas of tax law. In many cases, clients prefer to hire an income tax lawyer that exclusively deals with this sector of the law, as it means their attention is less divided, and they’re able to focus entirely on your case.