Call for Free Consultation
Trusted San Diego County Tax Attorneys for IRS & State Issues
Tax Attorney San Diego, CA
Tax Attorney in San Diego, CA Helping Individuals & Businesses Resolve Complex Tax Controversies
Find Out If You Qualify for Tax Debt Relief in Four Easy Steps!
Contact a Tax Attorney Near You Today For a Free Consultation
Award-Winning Tax Lawyers in San Diego, CA for Complex Tax Matters
Debt Relief From Those Who Understand Each System’s Challenges
For over a decade, J. David Tax Law has helped California residents find lasting relief from tax debt, earning recognition such as the 2025 AVVO Clients Choice Award and the Martindale Hubbell Peer Excellence Award. If you are facing tax issues in San Diego, from IRS audits to state enforcement actions, our experienced attorneys are here to help.
Read More
We handle everything from back taxes and penalties to wage garnishments and complex disputes at both the federal and state levels. Whatever the source, we know how to navigate the process and protect your interests. Click here for a deeper look into the roles and responsibilities of each tax authority in California.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The IRS manages federal taxes, including income, payroll, and business filings. We work directly with IRS agents to stop collections, respond to audits, and negotiate Offers in Compromise or payment plans. Our attorneys handle appeals and litigation nationwide for clients facing serious federal tax debt.
Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
The FTB enforces California’s income tax laws. If you face back taxes, penalties, or audits in San Diego, our California-licensed attorneys can help. We negotiate directly with the FTB to protect your rights and resolve state tax issues using proven, locally informed legal strategies.
Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD handles payroll tax enforcement in California. Businesses often face audits or worker misclassification claims. Our attorneys defend against EDD assessments, reduce liabilities, and ensure compliance, using deep knowledge of state labor and tax laws specific to California employers.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
We negotiate directly with tax authorities to reduce liabilities, set up payment plans, or pursue settlements. Every resolution is designed to be legally sound and manageable for you.
San Diego County Assessor/Treasurer-Tax Collector
While primarily handling property taxes, the San Diego County Assessor and Treasurer-Tax Collector offices can be involved in local tax issues, particularly when they intersect with broader financial challenges or property liens. Our local expertise allows us to address these nuances when they impact your overall tax debt resolution strategy within San Diego County.
Saving Taxpayers Millions
SD Tax Attorneys With Real Results
San Diego taxpayers don’t come to us with simple problems. They come when the IRS is knocking, when the California Franchise Tax Board is threatening wage garnishments, or when liens and levies are already in place. Over the years, we’ve protected clients from paying the IRS and state tax agencies more than $800 million in back taxes and penalties. Every case is different, but our approach stays the same: cut through the pressure, outthink the tax authorities, and deliver resolutions that actually stick. If you’re facing down the IRS or state collectors in San Diego, our attorneys bring the strategy and grit needed to put you back in control.
Recognized as a BBB Accredited, A+ rated firm, J. David Tax Law brings trusted, results-driven tax defense to San Diego and surrounding areas. Our attorneys take swift, strategic action in negotiations with the IRS, FTB audits, EDD claims, and high-stakes CDTFA disputes. Whether you’re facing six-figure tax debt or an aggressive ERC audit, we provide tailored legal solutions to clients across Chula Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, and beyond.
Our San Diego tax attorney focus on the complex tax issues that impact individuals and businesses across the state. We’ve structured our practice to cover the full scope of federal and state tax problems individuals and businesses commonly face in California. J. David Tax Law IRS attorneys are trained to handle high-pressure cases where both the IRS and state agencies are involved.
Offer In Compromise
Settle your tax debt for less than you owe through this IRS-Approved program.
Fresh Start Program
Qualify for relief with the IRS’s Fresh Start Program and reduce the burden of your debt.
Currently Not Collectible
Temporarily stop IRS collection activities if you cannot afford to pay your debt.
Penalty & Interest Relief
Eliminate or reduce penalties and interest with our expert assistance.
First Time Penalty Abatement
Waive your first time penalty through our targeted first time penalty abatement service.
IRS Payment Plan
Secure immediate release of levies and garnishments to protect your income.
IRS Appeals
Avoid IRS levies and asset seizures with our quick-response legal strategies.
IRS Asset Seizure
The IRS seizes assets when taxpayers fail to pay their tax liabilities after multiple warnings.
IRS Debt Negotiation
Get help if the IRS is threatening to take your property.
Tax Levy
Remove a tax levy and regain access to your funds.
Tax Lien
Resolve liens before they damage your credit or financial standing.
Wage Garnishment
Stop IRS wage garnishments and recover your full paycheck.
Tax Audit
Facing an audit? Our team will represent you and guide through the process.
IRS Criminal Investigations
Protect yourself during an IRS Criminal Investigation with our experienced legal support.
Innocent Spouse Relief
Get relief if your spouse’s tax mistakes or fraud should not be your responsibility.
IRS Passport Revocation Or Denial
Resolve tax debts before they lead to passport issues.
Tax Litigation
Protecting your business and personal assets through strategic tax litigation.
Unpaid Taxes
Resolve sales tax issues for your business and avoid unnecessary penalties.
Payroll Tax (940 & 941 Payroll Tax)
Stay compliant with payroll taxes and avoid costly penalties.
Our Tax Lawyers Are Seen and Heard On
IRS Attorneys Backed by a Long Record of Client Victories
What San Diego Clients Are Saying About Their Tax Relief Experience
How Our Tax Resolution Works
Reduce IRS Recovery in Four Simple Steps
Over the years, we’ve developed a proven legal process that’s built around real client outcomes, not templates or automated responses. Unlike many tax relief companies that rely on cookie-cutter solutions, our approach is grounded in strategy, legal precision, and direct attorney involvement. This gives us a powerful advantage when advocating for our clients, helping level the playing field against the Internal Revenue Service and California tax agencies in San Diego.
Free Consultation
We offer a free consultation where our tax professionals review your case, discuss potential solutions, and lay out a personalized plan to address your tax concerns.
Investigation
Our San Diego tax attorneys retrieve your IRS and California FTB records, evaluate what you owe, and create a legal strategy aimed at halting collections, reducing penalties, and protecting your assets.
Resolution
Our tax lawyers in San Diego negotiate directly with the IRS or state authorities like the FTB or CDTFA to reach settlements, lower penalties, or establish affordable payment terms on your behalf.
Freedom
Once your case is resolved, we help you stay compliant and avoid future tax issues, giving you the tools and support needed for long-term financial freedom in San Diego and beyond.
Free Consultation
We offer a free consultation where our tax professionals review your case, discuss potential solutions, and lay out a personalized plan to address your tax concerns.
Investigation
Our San Diego tax attorneys retrieve your IRS and California FTB records, evaluate what you owe, and create a legal strategy aimed at halting collections, reducing penalties, and protecting your assets.
Resolution
Our tax lawyers in San Diego negotiate directly with the IRS or state authorities like the FTB or CDTFA to reach settlements, lower penalties, or establish affordable payment terms on your behalf.
Freedom
Once your case is resolved, we help you stay compliant and avoid future tax issues, giving you the tools and support needed for long-term financial freedom in San Diego and beyond.
Take Control of Your Tax Debt with the IRS Fresh Start Program
Paving a Clear Path Toward Tax Relief
At J. David Tax Law, we’ve helped many San Diego residents use the IRS Fresh Start Program to reduce tax debt and avoid damaging enforcement actions. Originally launched in 2011, the program made key changes to federal tax regulation that now allow taxpayers to qualify for extended repayment plans of up to 72 months if their total IRS debt is $50,000 or less. This gives individuals and business owners across San Diego County, from La Jolla to Escondido, the breathing room to pay off what they owe without the threat of immediate wage garnishments or bank levies.
The Fresh Start Program also raised the federal tax lien threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, which has helped many of our clients avoid serious hits to their credit and property records, such as liens on real estate. For those who qualify for an Offer in Compromise, the IRS now takes a more realistic view of income and living expenses, including student loans, state tax obligations to the California Franchise Tax Board, and potential liabilities tied to the Employee Retention Credit, making it possible to settle for less than the full amount owed.
Leading San Diego Tax Lawyer for Complex IRS & State Tax Disputes
Securing Better Financial Futures Through Proven Tax Solutions
J. David Tax Law is recognized as a leading tax law firm in San Diego because we consistently handle cases that require deep legal insight and strategic execution, often amid ever-changing tax regulation. We’ve successfully represented thousands of clients in resolving complex Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and California state tax disputes, including multi-year audits and back taxes owed to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), and Employment Development Department (EDD).
Read More
Our tax law firm proudly serves clients across San Diego County, from Downtown San Diego and Mission Valley to La Jolla, North Park, Chula Vista, and everywhere in between. We’re familiar with the local nuances of dealing with FTB and CDTFA issues and understand how state laws intersect with federal tax enforcement in Southern California, including employment-related audits from the EDD.
- Tax attorneys for Internal Revenue Service and state audits, with flexible fee structures to support San Diego clients.
- Assistance with removing tax liens, stopping bank levies, and resolving back taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service or California Franchise Tax Board
- Our tax lawyers handle all direct communication with tax authorities, so you never have to speak to the IRS yourself or deal with the California Employment Development Department without legal support.
- 100% free attorney consultation to assess your tax situation and recommend a strategy based on California and federal tax laws.
Maximize Your IRS Advantage with J. David Tax Law
Legal Expertise That Rivals Top International Firms
With skilled legal representation, you can shift the balance in your favor even in cases involving large corporate tax disputes. At J. David Tax Law, we work to level the playing field so San Diego taxpayers aren’t left navigating complex IRS and California state tax problems alone. Whether it means stopping a tax levy, disputing penalties, or pursuing an IRS appeal, our attorneys focus on protecting your financial future at every step.
We also assess critical timing factors, like the statute of limitations, that may impact how the IRS or Franchise Tax Board enforces or collects a tax debt, using case-specific data from your tax return and federal or state tax file.
Unlike a certified public accountant or tax relief company, a California-licensed tax attorney in San Diego can represent you in United States Tax Court, challenge enforcement actions, and negotiate directly with the IRS and state legal divisions, even in cases involving criminal tax evasion allegations. This level of authority is essential when dealing with audits, back taxes, asset seizures, tax avoidance investigations, or significant tax liabilities, including unresolved payroll tax obligations or sales tax audits initiated by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
Here are the benefits of hiring a professional IRS lawyer from J. David Tax Law:
Professional Guidance
You’ll work directly with licensed tax attorneys who understand the legal system, not call center reps or unqualified intermediaries. Every decision is backed by legal knowledge and experience that protects your interests at our San Diego office and beyond.
Peace of Mind
We handle all communication with the IRS and California state tax agencies, so you don’t have to. With us managing your case, you can focus on your life instead of your tax problems.
Proven Results
We do more than talk results—we deliver. One San Diego teacher faced an overwhelming $18,000 IRS tax debt on a modest salary. Our team stepped in and secured a six month payment plan with no penalties. It’s one example of the proven tax relief solutions our firm provides every day.
Tax Resolution
We negotiate directly with tax authorities to reduce liabilities, set up payment plans, or pursue settlements. Every resolution is designed to be legally sound and manageable for you.
Responsibility
From start to finish, we take full ownership of your case and the outcome. You’ll always know where things stand, with clear updates and honest expectations throughout the process.
Why People Trust
J. David Tax Law®
A+ Rated with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Only a Tax Lawyer in San Diego, CA Will Handle Your Case
Thousands of successful outcomes for our clients
100% Free, No-Obligation Consultation
Meet Our Seasoned Tax Lawyers
Introducing California tax attorney Zayn Thompson, a trusted advocate for residents across San Diego County. With a proven track record in resolving both IRS and California state tax issues, Zayn brings sharp legal insight and a calm, results-driven approach to every case. From tough audits to serious tax debt matters, he’s helped clients overcome challenges where others couldn’t deliver.
Founding Values that Lead Our Tax Law Firm
At J. David Tax Law, our work is guided by core principles that shape every client interaction and every legal strategy we deliver. These values aren’t just part of our culture, they’re the reason clients across San Diego and surrounding communities trust us to represent them in their most difficult moments.
Communicate Effectively
Clients stay informed with timely updates and clear legal explanations, so they always know where their case stands and what comes next.
Accountability
Our tax attorneys take full responsibility for every case we handle and follow through with urgency, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Act with Integrity
Our team leads with honesty and professionalism, setting realistic expectations while protecting your best interests at every step.
Collaborative Teamwork
We combine legal insight and internal collaboration to build strong, well-rounded strategies that support successful case outcomes.
Compassion
We listen with empathy, act with purpose, and support our clients through some of the most difficult financial challenges they’ll face.
Inspire Growth
Constant learning, innovation, and adaptation help us improve results and give clients the forward-thinking representation they deserve.
Communicate Effectively
Clients stay informed with timely updates and clear legal explanations, so they always know where their case stands and what comes next.
Accountability
Our tax attorneys take full responsibility for every case we handle and follow through with urgency, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Act with Integrity
Our team leads with honesty and professionalism, setting realistic expectations while protecting your best interests at every step.
Collaborative Teamwork
We combine legal insight and internal collaboration to build strong, well-rounded strategies that support successful case outcomes.
Compassion
We listen with empathy, act with purpose, and support our clients through some of the most difficult financial challenges they’ll face.
Inspire Growth
Constant learning, innovation, and adaptation help us improve results and give clients the forward-thinking representation they deserve.
What is the difference between a CPA and a tax attorney?
A certified public accountant (CPA) focuses on preparing taxes and offering financial advice, while a tax attorney is licensed to provide legal representation in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state agencies like the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Only a tax attorney can represent you in United States Tax Court and handle complex IRS debt negotiations or litigation involving a disputed tax return. If you’re unsure which path is right for your situation, call J. David Tax Law to speak with IRS tax attorneys in San Diego and find out if legal representation is what your case requires.
Who is the best person to help with taxes?
For audits, large tax debts, legal disputes, enforcement actions, or tax evasion charges, a San Diego tax attorney is the best choice due to their legal training and authority to negotiate with both the IRS and state agencies like the FTB or California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Schedule a free consultation now to determine if working with a licensed tax attorney is the best step for your specific matter.
What raises red flags with the IRS?
Common red flags include underreporting income, excessive deductions, aggressive tax avoidance strategies, inconsistent filings, large charitable donations compared to income, unfiled returns, and real estate transactions that don’t match reported income. Self-employed individuals and those with complex returns are more likely to face scrutiny from the IRS, EDD payroll tax audits, ERC investigations, and sales tax enforcement from the CDTFA.
How many years will the IRS let you make payments?
The IRS typically allows up to 72 months (6 years) to pay off tax debt through an installment agreement, depending on the amount owed and your financial situation. Some taxpayers may qualify for shorter or longer terms through negotiation.
How to qualify for tax forgiveness?
Tax forgiveness is most often granted through the IRS Offer in Compromise program, which allows you to settle your debt for less than what you owe. Eligibility is based on your income, expenses, assets, and overall ability to pay, according to standards set by the Internal Revenue Code and enforced by the IRS. To find out if you qualify, contact J. David Tax Law, our attorneys will review your case and guide you through the tax forgiveness process.
Expert IRS Tax Lawyer Guidance at Your Fingertips
Stay informed with the latest tips, strategies, and insights on navigating IRS and State tax challenges. Our IRS tax lawyers provide practical tax debt relief advice to help you resolve tax issues, avoid penalties, and achieve peace of mind.
2025 IRS Fresh Start Program
IRS Fresh Start Program offers tax relief for those owing $50,000 or less. See if you qualify for tax debt reduction in 2025. Call (888) 342-9436 now!
How Much Does a Tax Attorney Cost in California | Rates, Services, and Factors
CA tax attorneys cost $300–$800/hr or $3K–$40K flat. See pricing by service, factors, and when hiring one makes sense. Or call (888) 789-5011 for a free consultation.
How Much Will the IRS Settle For?
Wondering how much the IRS will accept to settle your tax debt? Learn everything about IRS settlements and how to pay less than you owe. Call (888) 789-5011 for immediate consultation!
Can a Tax Attorney Negotiate with the IRS?
Yes, a tax attorney can negotiate with the IRS on your behalf,reducing penalties and resolving tax debt.Call our IRS tax relief attorney at (888) 342-9436.
How Long Does the IRS Offer in Compromise Take? A Timeline to Prepare for Success.
Explore the timeline for the IRS Offer in Compromise, from application to final decision. Call J. David Tax Law at (888) 342-9436 for professional help.
California Tax Debt Isn’t Just the IRS: What to Do When FTB, CDTFA, or EDD Comes After You
Get legal help for California tax debt. We defend not only against the IRS but also FTB, CDTFA, & EDD actions. Call us at (888) 342-9436 today.
Contact A Tax Lawyer Near You Today!
Our IRS lawyers in San Diego provide tax solutions for our clients who have IRS and state tax debts, unfiled returns, audits, etc. We advise you on future compliance that enables your individual or business tax problems to be behind you for good.
