As more states struggle with budgetary and other fiscal constraints, expect to see more efforts to audit and collect taxes under the current system.  Our attorneys at McLaughlin & Quinn, LLC have already felt this renewed effort in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  The numbers of new cases is at an all-time high.  These state efforts are focused not just on personal and corporate income taxes, but sales and use taxes, payroll taxes, and excise taxes, such as the cigarette tax, fuels taxes and others.

Ms. Van Der Pool’s article correctly points out that everyone should pay their taxes according to the law.  But, as a tax attorney I can attest that there can certainly be differing opinions as to the proper interpretation of the law.  However, merely not paying any taxes, or not filing tax returns, is not the appropriate method to challenge an interpretation of the tax law.

If you have been selected for audit, if you know you owe taxes, or if you have not filed all required tax returns, and if you want to get these matters settled and behind you, you need to seek competant tax advice immediately.