An IRS notice in the mail can make your stomach drop. Whether it is a letter about unpaid taxes, a threatened wage garnishment, or a full-blown audit, the pressure feels immediate and personal.
The tax law attorneys at Udall Shumway represent individuals and businesses in Mesa who are facing IRS enforcement actions, state tax disputes, and unresolved tax debt. We deal directly with the IRS and the Arizona Department of Revenue so you do not have to face them alone.
Call our Mesa office at 480-461-5300 to speak with a tax attorney about your situation today.
What Does a Tax Attorney in Mesa Actually Do?
A tax attorney represents you in disputes with the IRS or state tax agencies, negotiates settlements on your behalf, and works to reduce or eliminate penalties, liens, and levies tied to unpaid taxes.
Tax problems come in many forms. Some clients owe back taxes from years ago. Others are dealing with a surprise audit or a paycheck that is suddenly smaller because the IRS started taking money directly from their wages.
A tax lawyer at Udall Shumway steps into these situations and takes over the communication with the IRS or the Arizona Department of Revenue. We review the numbers, identify errors, challenge unfair penalties, and negotiate payment plans or settlements that fit your financial reality.
The difference between handling a tax problem yourself and having an attorney handle it is often the difference between paying more than you owe and paying what is fair.
Why Choose Udall Shumway as Your Mesa Tax Law Firm?
More Than 50 Years of Legal Experience in Maricopa County
Udall Shumway has served the Mesa community since 1965. Our firm brings decades of experience across multiple areas of law, including tax controversies at both the federal and state levels. That institutional knowledge gives our tax clients a distinct advantage.
Federal and Arizona State Tax Representation
Our tax attorneys handle cases before the IRS, the Arizona Department of Revenue, and the Arizona Board of Tax Appeals. Whether your issue involves federal income tax, Arizona state income tax, or transaction privilege tax, we cover it.
A Business Law Foundation That Strengthens Tax Strategy
Tax disputes rarely exist in a vacuum. They often intersect with business operations, real estate transactions, and estate planning. Because Udall Shumway has deep experience across all of these practice areas, our tax attorneys bring a broader perspective to your case.
Direct Communication and Transparent Billing
We explain your options in plain language and keep you informed at every stage. Our fee structure is transparent, and we make sure you have a clear picture of costs before we move forward.
Mesa taxpayers choose Udall Shumway because we combine legal skill with genuine care for the people and businesses we represent.
Can a Mesa Tax Attorney Stop IRS Wage Garnishment?
A tax attorney can act quickly to stop or release an IRS wage garnishment, also called a wage levy, by negotiating with the IRS or setting up an alternative payment arrangement.
When the IRS garnishes your wages, it takes a portion of every paycheck before you ever see the money. The IRS Levy and Distraint statute (IRC § 6331) gives the agency broad authority to seize wages, bank accounts, and even personal property to collect unpaid taxes.
A tax attorney with Udall Shumway can challenge the levy by contacting the IRS directly. Common strategies include:
- Requesting a Collection Due Process hearing to review the levy
- Setting up an installment agreement that replaces the garnishment with manageable monthly payments
- Filing for Currently Not Collectible status if your income does not cover basic living expenses
- Pursuing an Offer in Compromise to settle the debt for less than you owe
The IRS is required to release a levy once a resolution is in place. Acting quickly matters because every paycheck that passes without action is money you will not get back.
How Can a Tax Lawyer Help with IRS Tax Debt in Mesa, AZ?
The IRS offers several programs to resolve tax debt, but each one has strict rules, required paperwork, and specific deadlines. A tax attorney handles the entire process.
Offer in Compromise
An Offer in Compromise (OIC) lets you settle your tax debt for less than the full amount. The IRS Offer in Compromise program (IRC § 7122) considers your income, expenses, and assets to determine what you can realistically pay.
Lump-sum offers require a 20% upfront payment. A tax attorney at Udall Shumway prepares the financial documentation and negotiates directly with the IRS to give your offer the strongest chance of approval.
Installment Agreements
If you cannot pay your tax bill in full, the IRS allows monthly payment plans called installment agreements. The IRS Installment Agreement statute (IRC § 6159) outlines when the agency must accept a payment plan.
Your attorney negotiates terms that fit your budget and may also reduce the monthly failure-to-pay penalty while the agreement is active.
Penalty Abatement
The IRS charges penalties for late filing, late payment, and underpayment. These penalties add up fast.
If you had a reasonable cause for falling behind, such as a serious illness, a natural disaster, or bad advice from a previous tax preparer, your attorney can request that the IRS remove or reduce those penalties.
The IRS Penalty statute (IRC § 6651) allows abatement when the failure was not due to willful neglect.
Each of these options involves detailed financial disclosures and legal arguments. The tax attorneys at Udall Shumway manage the full process from start to finish.
What Happens During an IRS Tax Audit in Mesa?
During an audit, the IRS reviews your tax returns and financial records to verify that you reported your income and deductions accurately. A tax attorney can represent you at every stage and respond to the IRS on your behalf.
There are three types of IRS audits:
| Audit Type | Description |
| Correspondence audit | This kind of audit is handled entirely by mail. |
| Office audit | These audits require an in-person meeting at an IRS office. |
| Field audit | The IRS agent visits your home or business to conduct the audit. |
Audits can go beyond the tax year in question. If the IRS finds significant issues, it may expand the review to additional years. The outcome can range from no change to additional taxes, penalties, and interest.
Having a tax attorney from Udall Shumway represent you during an audit changes the dynamic entirely. Your attorney communicates with the IRS agent, responds to document requests, and pushes back on findings that are inaccurate or inflated.
Mesa-area taxpayers who are audited by the IRS have the right to representation, and exercising that right early makes a measurable difference in the outcome.
Does Udall Shumway Handle Arizona State Tax Disputes?
Our tax attorneys represent Mesa clients in disputes with the Arizona Department of Revenue, including income tax audits, transaction privilege tax issues, and penalty protests.
Arizona ties its income tax closely to federal returns. If the IRS adjusts your federal return, the state often follows with its own assessment. The Arizona Board of Tax Appeals hears cases from taxpayers who disagree with decisions made by the Department of Revenue.
State tax disputes involve strict deadlines. A taxpayer who receives a notice of deficiency from the Department of Revenue typically has 30 days to file a written protest. Missing that window limits your options going forward.
The tax team at Udall Shumway handles both federal and Arizona state tax controversies. We represent clients through informal conferences, formal hearings, and appeals to the Board of Tax Appeals when necessary.
Ask Udall Shumway About Tax Law in Mesa, Arizona
Q: Is it worth hiring a tax attorney for IRS problems?
A: In most cases involving tax debt, audits, or IRS enforcement actions, a tax attorney can save you more than the cost of hiring one. The IRS has trained agents and a legal framework designed to maximize what it collects.
A tax attorney with Udall Shumway levels the playing field by negotiating directly with the agency and making sure you take advantage of every legal option available to you.
Q: How fast can a tax attorney stop a tax levy in Mesa?
A: In urgent cases, a tax attorney can contact the IRS and begin the process of releasing a levy within days. The timeline depends on the type of levy, the amount owed, and what resolution option fits your situation.
Installment agreements and hardship status requests tend to move faster than Offers in Compromise.
Q: What happens if I ignore IRS notices?
A: Ignoring IRS notices does not make the problem go away. It makes it worse. The IRS follows a specific escalation process that starts with letters and can end with wage garnishments, bank levies, and property seizures.
A tax attorney can intervene at any stage, but acting earlier gives you more options and better outcomes.
Q: Can a Mesa tax lawyer help with back taxes from several years ago?
A: Yes. The IRS generally has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect a tax debt. If you owe back taxes from multiple years, a tax attorney at Udall Shumway can review your full tax history and identify any years where the collection window may have expired.
From there, we build a strategy to resolve the remaining balances through the most favorable option available.
FAQs About Hiring an Attorney for a Tax Dispute in Mesa, AZ
How much does a tax attorney cost in Mesa?
Fees vary based on the type of tax issue, the amount of debt involved, and how many agencies are part of the dispute. Udall Shumway offers consultations so you can discuss your situation and get a clear estimate before committing.
We are upfront about what representation involves and what it costs.
Can a tax attorney negotiate with the IRS on my behalf without me being present?
Yes. Once you sign a power of attorney form, your tax lawyer at Udall Shumway becomes your authorized representative. The IRS communicates directly with your attorney, and you do not need to attend meetings, phone calls, or hearings unless you choose to.
What is the difference between a tax attorney and a CPA?
A CPA prepares tax returns and provides accounting advice. A tax attorney represents you in legal disputes, negotiates with tax agencies, and can take your case to court if needed.
For issues involving audits, liens, levies, or significant tax debt, a tax attorney provides a level of legal protection that a CPA cannot.
Do I still owe state taxes if the IRS reduces my federal tax bill?
Arizona bases its income tax on your federal adjusted gross income. If the IRS reduces your federal liability, your Arizona tax bill may decrease as well.
A tax attorney at Udall Shumway can coordinate both your federal and state tax resolutions to make sure any reduction carries through to your Arizona return.
Can the IRS take my house or car for unpaid taxes?
The IRS has the legal authority to seize real property, vehicles, and other assets through a tax levy. However, the agency must follow specific notice and due process requirements before taking that step. A tax attorney can challenge the levy, negotiate alternatives, and in many cases prevent the seizure entirely.
Talk to a Mesa Tax Attorney at Udall Shumway About Your IRS or State Tax Issue
Tax problems do not fix themselves, and they do not get cheaper with time. The penalties grow, the interest compounds, and the IRS gains more enforcement options the longer a debt goes unresolved.
The tax law attorneys at Udall Shumway have spent decades helping Mesa families and businesses resolve federal and state tax disputes. We take over the conversation with the IRS or the Arizona Department of Revenue and fight for a resolution that protects your finances and your peace of mind.
Call 480-461-5300 to schedule a consultation with a Mesa tax attorney who is ready to take action on your case.
1138 N Alma School Rd #101
Mesa, AZ 85201
P: (480) 461-5300