State Tax Appeals Lawyers in St. Louis

Helping Our Clients Overcome Unfair Decisions by Tax Authorities

At times, it may seem like everything we do is taxed in America. From the milk we buy to the money we earn — and even property we’ve already paid for — the government is always there for a cut. This is usually done within the confines of the law and is relatively accurate. However, there are times when you may disagree with decisions by the Missouri Department of Revenue. In these situations, a state tax appeals lawyer in St. Louis may be able to help.
At The Law Firm of Lance R. Drury, P.C., our team of tax attorneys is committed to securing favorable outcomes for each of our clients. We understand what it’s like to be overwhelmed by tax law. And when it seems like government decisions are inaccurate or arbitrary, it can be difficult figuring out how to move forward. Fortunately, our law firm is here to assist. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Do You Need to Hire an Attorney for a Missouri State Tax Appeal?

For many legal issues in America, there is no requirement to hire an attorney. U.S. citizens are allowed to represent themselves — even if it’s inadvisable to do so. In many cases, this is also true for hiring a state tax appeals lawyer in St. Louis. In the majority of cases, state and federal tax agencies will let you handle any appeal. In fact, they may prefer it this way — because those who represent themselves don’t fully understand their rights.
In addition to advising you of your options and rights under the law, an experienced attorney can also:

Provide legal expertise
Negotiate fee and penalty reduction
Ensure tax compliance moving forward
Collect evidence to support your case
Appeal your case to a higher court
Ensure forms are filed in a timely manner

These are just some of the benefits of hiring a state tax appeals lawyer in St. Louis. However, handling a case yourself is not always allowed. For instance, legal entities (e.g., LLC, corporations), estates, trusts, and associations must have legal representation when appealing a property tax assessment. You may also face other requirements under the law, so it never hurts to speak with an attorney.

What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Taxes?

Many people are surprised to learn that there is a relatively well-established tax protest movement in America. In fact, entire organizations urge citizens to not pay their taxes. However, it’s not advisable for anyone to join in on the cause. If you have a legitimate dispute with the Missouri Department of Revenue or the Internal Revenue Service, it’s important that you handle it through established and legal avenues.
Regardless of what some groups may tell you, simply not paying is not an option. In many instances, your best interests will be served by working with a state tax appeals lawyer in St. Louis. A legal professional can help you fight unfair tax decisions — and this means you’ll avoid the consequences of simply not paying:

- Liens on your personal property
- Asset seizure
- Wage garnishment
- Bank account garnishment
- Collection actions that could affect your credit

As evidenced by these potential outcomes, it’s nearly impossible to avoid unfair tax decisions by simply not paying. If you choose not to pay as required, the government will likely just take the money against your will. Fortunately, you don’t have to face such an outcome. With a St. Louis state tax appeals lawyer on your side, it may be possible to reverse unfair tax decisions and stay on the right side of the law.

How Soon Do I Have to File Tax Appeals in Missouri?

As with all pressing legal matters, there are timelines that must be followed. Failure to appeal a tax decision before the stated deadline can leave you with little to no recourse. While there may be opportunities for extensions in some situations, these are typically rare and only allowed in extenuating circumstances. This means you should contact a legal professional for assistance sooner rather than later.
The deadline for filing an appeal will vary based on the underlying tax issue. For instance, a complaint to the State Tax Commission regarding a property tax assessment must be submitted within 30 days. However, you’ll have 60 days to submit an official protest if Missouri adjusts your income tax bill and issues an Assessment of Unpaid Tax. Obviously, these are just two examples — and the deadline you’re facing could vary.
This is why it’s ideal to speak with a St. Louis state tax appeal attorney as soon as possible. At The Law Firm of Lance R. Drury, our legal team can review your case and help you get everything filed in a timely manner.

Contact Our State Tax Appeals Lawyers in St. Louis

If you’ve gone your whole life without encountering a problem with tax revenue agencies, you’re among the lucky few. Unfortunately, most people will at some point have a disagreement, dispute, or problem with assessments and other tax decisions. While simply not paying your taxes is the worst thing you could do in these situations, failing to file an appeal or report your grievance is a close second.
At The Law Firm of Lance R. Drury, P.C., we handle tax appeals, negotiations with the Department of Revenue, complaints, and other necessary tasks when you feel mistreated by the government. It’s rare for a wrongful decision by tax agencies to only result in one-time overpayments. Rather, these mistakes have consequences that can last for years. Our state tax appeals lawyers in St. Louis will work to avoid such outcomes.
Contact us at (573) 508-0399 to schedule your free consultation.