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This question is about what an accountant does.
CPA vs. Tax Attorney
A CPA is a certified public accountant and tax specialist, while a tax attorney is a legal professional with a law degree.
CPAs are tax specialists most often associated with taxes, audits, and accounting. They can provide counsel on how to reduce the amount of taxes a company or client will owe each year. If a client is worried about a possible IRS audit, a CPA can help minimize the chances of such an audit, or represent the client if an audit does occur.
Tax attorneys can also represent a company or individual in the event of an IRS audit. They also are considered the best choice for clients who owe large sums in back taxes or are facing liens and levies. A tax attorney can also assist a client with unfiled tax returns, halting wage garnishment, and facilitating compromises with the IRS.
Here are the key differences between a CPA and a tax attorney:
| A CPA is a certified public accountant. | A tax attorney is a legal tax professional with a law degree. |
| A CPA can sign a client's tax returns and also be a representative of a company or individual in the event of an IRS audit. | A tax attorney can sign a client's tax returns and be a representative of a company or individual in the event of an IRS audit, but their legal skills in taxing extend far beyond just these two services. |
| A CPA is a tax specialist who most often deals with taxes, audits, and accounting. | A tax attorney can help clients who owe large sums in back taxes, have unfiled returns, want to halt wage garnishment, are facing liens and levies, or want to facilitate a compromise with the IRS |
| A CPA earns an average salary of $110,095 per year. | A tax attorney earns an average salary of $120,910 per year. |
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