Tax Whistleblower Blog

Role of the Attorney in Tax Whistleblower Cases

At www.RewardTax.com, I frequently receive calls from potential Whistleblowers who are “on the fence” with regard to whether to hire an attorney or “go it alone.”  Although it is not necessary to hire an attorney to file a claim under the Tax Whistleblower Reward Progam, an attorney can be an invaluable aid in getting a claim submitted and may be able to transform a case from one that is eligible for a 15-percent award, into a case that is eligible for a 30-percent reward.  An attorney familiar with these cases is in a position to create a file similar to an administrative file that the IRS puts together when examining the case–thereby reducing the examination time and arguably increasing the amount of the reward.  The attorney may even be successful in further developing the facts of a case under the Tax Whistleblower Reward Program.  Also, the attorney can research and consult and is in a position to ensure the whistleblower’s confidentiality.  Finally, an attorney already familiar with the facts is in the best position to litigate the determination of the reward in the U.S. Tax Court, should that become necessary.