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Introduction: It is crucial to evaluate each prospective attorney you consider to assist with your sensitive IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure using a number of important criteria. Before choosing a firm to process your sensitive tax information, be sure to think critically about your decision using the twelve following principles. With any IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure, a lot is at stake, including massive penalties and possible incarceration. The Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, Kevin E. Thorn, has helped hundreds of clients disclose their overseas assets to the Internal Revenue Service. If you have any questions regarding how to choose representation, do not hesitate to call him confidentially today at 202-349-4033. His firm is a superior tax litigation firm that is suited to give advice on even the most complicated tax matters. You need an expert like Kevin E. Thorn fighting for you!

1. Representation from a Former Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Attorney

Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, is a former IRS attorney who has seen firsthand the inner workings of the Internal Revenue Service. As an insider, he has an intimate understanding of how the IRS operates. Because he has both experience and a connection to the IRS, he is able to tailor the counsel of his firm to his clients’ advantage when guiding them through the complicated process of an IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. Mr. Thorn has helped hundreds of clients disclose overseas assets using the IRS’ various Offshore Voluntary Disclosure programs.

2. An Attorney who has Successfully Navigated All IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Programs since 2009

Be wary of tax attorneys who do not have this level of expertise. Hire an attorney who has been involved in tax litigation long enough to understand how the IRS’ Offshore Voluntary Disclosure programs have evolved and changed throughout the years.  Be sure to look to an attorney’s online blogs and other online publications to find the year that they started practicing tax law and providing digital content on the subject. Managing Partner Kevin E. Thorn has been helping clients successfully disclose their offshore assets since the first IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, and therefore has the experience and the expertise to navigate any complicated voluntary disclosure.

3. An Attorney who Specializes in IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure

Do not settle for a law firm that claims to be a one stop shop that specialized in offshore voluntary disclosures or that can process both their clients’ legal matters and their tax returns. Attorney work and tax preparation each require a completely different skill set. Do not entrust sensitive disclosure responsibilities to someone who claims that they can quickly get it all done. An IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure is too serious to be left to someone who will likely make mistakes by rushing through one case to get to the next or just places you into a disclosure program without reviewing all your paper information. At Thorn Law Group, the focus is on providing the best legal counsel and strategy to all clients, resulting in the best possible financial outcome for each complicated IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. At Thorn Law Group, our focused approach has helped clients save a substantial amount of money in tax and penalties as well as avoid possible incarceration.

4. Do Not Hire an Attorney That Charges for Phone Calls or Refuses to Speak Over the Phone

Be wary of an attorney who charges exuberant fees just to talk over the phone. This type of attorney is generally a scam artist who will listen to an individual’s case for a set upfront fee, without providing any proper counsel. In addition, because they cannot provide proper counsel without reviewing any or all documents, these lawyers often lack the experience or strategy to properly disclose offshore accounts. If a firm advertises that every phone call, even an initial consultation, is subject to billing, it is best to find representation elsewhere. Mr. Thorn, the Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, is focused on speaking to all clients and potential clients in such a way that makes them feel at ease. He is willing to answer questions honestly and be upfront with each individual about their IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure.

5. Respect! An Attorney Who Will Listen and Respond to All Questions.

If an attorney refuses to fully answer questions, acts abruptly and rudely, or treats potential clients with disregard, it is a reflection of the type of counsel they will offer. Trust is essential to consider when choosing legal representation, especially for a matter as sensitive as an IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. If an attorney makes you feel bad about yourself during your first interaction, the relationship will most likely be strained, with crucial interactions being more difficult and uncomfortable than they should be. In order to effectively fight for the best possible outcome for each disclosure, a positive relationship must be formed between a client and their attorney. At Thorn Law Group, each attorney is focused on providing legal counsel in a way that is respectful, honest and informative. Under the guidance of Managing Partner Kevin E. Thorn, the focus at Thorn Law Group is on relationships, trust, and providing clients with a positive legal experience.

6. An Attorney Who Will Not Estimate a Set Fee for Your Complicated Tax Matter- Especially Without Seeing All Relevant Tax Documents

Firms that offer flat fee service for their counsel often do not put the same time and energy into each of their cases. These businesses often try to just quickly complete a service, rather than tailor their expertise to the specifics of each case. In other words, they often view each client’s disclosure as just another task to be completed, a mindset that does not allow for the proper analysis required that could result in a reduced penalty. Never trust a one-time charge when considering the complicated nature of an IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. To make informed decisions about how to approach each unique offshore voluntary disclosure, an attorney must diligently comb through the details of each case. They must study all relevant documents, including tax returns and bank statements. Managing Partner Kevin E. Thorn takes the necessary time to understand each of his clients’ complicated tax matters to best assist with their unique IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure.

7. A Firm Where the Managing Partner Handles Each IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Directly

IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosures are very serious and very complicated. With each disclosure, a lot is at stake, including potential incarceration and massive penalties! Do not trust a firm that leaves this work to associates, paralegals and non-legal personnel. An associate should never be the primary contact or the lead on any IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. If an attorney advertises their work and their name but does not act as the face of each of their client’s representation, this could lead to problems, as less experienced associates and paralegals are more apt to make a mistake, costing clients a substantial amount of money in tax and penalties. Work with a firm where the Managing Partner, Kevin E. Thorn, serves as the primary contact and works on each disclosure directly. As a former government attorney, Mr. Thorn has the experience and an advantage when dealing with complicated tax matters. This level of expertise is required to ensure that each disclosure is done thoroughly and correctly. Managing Partner Kevin E. Thorn is the lead on every single IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure completed at Thorn Law Group.

8. Prices that Reflect the Quality of the Service Provided

Not all IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure attorneys are the same. The least expensive attorney is usually not the best. In fact, choosing a less expensive firm with set fees often costs more money in the long run and creates substantial risk for more taxes, interest, and penalties. The price of an attorney’s legal services generally reflects their level of expertise, their credentials, or even in some cases, their desperation for clients. It is important to remember that choosing a cheaper alternative could potentially result in bad advice and/or increased penalties on taxes or unnecessary penalties paid to the IRS. At Thorn Law Group, our prices fairly reflect our superior service and legal advice.

9. Protection from the IRS, Massive Penalties, and Even Incarceration

Always remember, the failure to disclose offshore bank accounts to the IRS is a felony and that an offshore voluntary disclosure is not a matter that should ever be taken lightly. It is very important to think hard before hiring someone that is not an attorney to handle this type of situation because within these relationships there is no attorney-client privilege. Protection is not guaranteed when providing professionals other than attorneys with the sensitive information required for an IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. Therefore, other professionals could possibly end up being a witness against you in a court of law, providing the government with the documents needed for prosecution. In other words, these individuals could help incarcerate you! With an experienced, international tax attorney, like the Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, Kevin E. Thorn, each client has the protection of attorney-client privilege and the insurance that their sensitive tax information will stay confidential.

10. Headquarters in Washington DC and Connections Across the Globe

The best attorneys to assist with an IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure are those who are located just blocks from the Department of Justice, IRS Headquarters, and United States Tax Court. Thorn Law Group’s main office is strategically situated in the nation’s capital, with legitimate satellite offices located throughout the United States. This gives Thorn Law Group a huge advantage when representing clients with assets overseas but tax responsibilities in the United States. IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure lawyers in other countries or states such as Iowa, Ohio, and California are too far away and disconnected to provide you, your family, or your business with the best tax advice that could save you a substantial amount of money in tax, penalties, and interest.

11. A Firm That Has Argued Both Criminal and Civil Cases in a Court of Law

Lawyers without litigation experience are often inept and unwilling to truly fight on their clients’ behalf. At Thorn Law Group, our attorneys have defended clients in front of the Department of Justice (both criminal and civil divisions) as well as negotiated on their behalf with the IRS and IRS Appeals. This experience is essential in order to best navigate the IRS’ various Offshore Voluntary Disclosure programs. When choosing an attorney, ask the question; does this individual just say they have expertise, or do their case results reflect that? Managing Partner, Kevin E. Thorn, of Thorn Law Group has proven to be an effective litigator in both criminal and civil cases. He is equipped to assist those with overseas assets in front of any federal government agency or legal organization in the United States.

12. Do Not Hire A Tax Professional Disguised as a Lawyer

Not every individual who calls him or herself an ‘attorney” is qualified to represent a client with a complicated offshore voluntary disclosure. A law degree does not indicate that a professional has the expertise needed to effectively help those with undisclosed foreign assets. When a lawyer advertises that they are an expert in both the tax preparation and the legal aspects of an IRS voluntary disclosure, what they are often fail to disclose is that they outsource most of their work, both the legal and the accounting aspects! This is particularly true of midsized and large firms that hire both CPAs and junior associates. Rarely do the name partners of these firms get involved in the actual work or strategy aspects of their clients’ disclosures. This arrangement is dangerous for clients because it often results in them paying more in tax and penalties, puts them at risk of intense IRS scrutiny, and increases the likelihood of someone making a mistake that could put the client at a serious disadvantage in front of the government. Managing Partner, Kevin E. Thorn, is the lead on every single IRS offshore voluntary disclosure at Thorn Law Group. He is intimately involved with every phase of the legal process and has helped hundreds of clients save money on tax and penalties as well as avoid possible incarceration. It is his personal attention to detail that differentiates Thorn Law Group from other firms who claim to have expertise in similar services.

Closing:

Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, is the perfect example of the type of ally you need when voluntarily disclosing overseas assets to the IRS. In developing this list of criteria for evaluating potential tax counsel, Mr. Thorn analyzed the factors that have helped him successfully represent clients since the establishment of his firm. He looked to the aspects of his practice that have helped him achieve success for each of his clients in all of their complicated tax situations.

If you have assets overseas and are considering an IRS voluntary disclosure, contact Kevin E. Thorn today to speak confidentially. You need the best in international tax litigation fighting for you! A mishandled IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure can put you at risk for IRS prosecution, possible incarceration, and massive penalties. Do not wait, call Mr. Thorn confidentially at 202-349-4033 today!