Tax problems rarely show up on their own. They tend to surface alongside a business decision, a change in immigration status, or a life event like a divorce or a death in the family, and the tax question is often tangled up with something bigger. We help clients understand what they actually owe, what their options are, and how a tax issue might affect an immigration case, a small business, or their broader financial picture.
We also work with clients who are navigating tax filing for the first time as a new resident or business owner in the U.S., where the rules around reporting foreign income, dependents, and filing status can be genuinely confusing even for people who are otherwise careful and organized.
Who This Helps
- Individuals who owe back taxes and need to understand their options with the IRS
- Immigrants navigating U.S. tax filing requirements for the first time
- Naturalization applicants who need to resolve a tax issue before their interview
- Small business owners with questions about entity structure, payroll tax, or recordkeeping
- Clients facing an IRS notice, audit, or collection action
- Individuals whose tax history is under review as part of a good moral character determination in an immigration case
How We Handle These Cases
Understand the Full Picture
We start by reviewing your tax history, any notices you've received, and how the issue connects to other parts of your life, including immigration status if that's relevant.
Explain Your Real Options
We walk you through what's actually available, whether that's a payment plan, an offer in compromise, correcting a prior filing, or simply getting current and staying current going forward.
Handle Communication with the IRS
Where needed, we communicate with the IRS on your behalf so you're not navigating notices and phone trees alone.
Plan Ahead
For business owners and families, we help set up practices going forward so the same problem doesn't keep resurfacing year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tax problem affect my immigration case?
It can, particularly for naturalization applications, where USCIS looks at good moral character and may ask about unpaid taxes or unfiled returns. It's worth addressing a tax issue before you file for citizenship rather than after an officer raises it at your interview.
What should I do if I owe back taxes and can't pay in full?
The IRS offers several paths short of paying everything at once, including installment agreements and, in some cases, an offer in compromise that settles the debt for less than the full amount owed. Which one makes sense depends on your income, assets, and how much you owe.
Do I need a tax attorney if I already have an accountant?
An accountant is often the right person for annual filing and bookkeeping, while an attorney becomes more important when there's a dispute with the IRS, a legal question about how a tax issue interacts with immigration status, or a situation that could carry legal consequences. Many clients use both, for different parts of the same picture.
Can you help with tax questions for a small business I'm starting?
Yes. We advise on entity structure and the tax implications that come with it, along with ongoing questions that arise as a business grows, in coordination with our business formation counsel.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case depends on its specific facts. Contact Murph & Tchamda LLP to discuss your situation with a licensed attorney before taking any action.