Tax Relief is Stress Relief
After announcing to a new acquaintance that I’m in law school, almost invariably the next question is always, “Oh, what kind of law do you want to practice?”. From the very start, I have been fortunate to know that my future is in tax law. I was offered a rare opportunity to work alongside a local tax attorney in my town for over three years as I prepared to enter law school. This experience offered me a glimpse into resolutions of tax controversies, tax planning for small business owners, and a first-hand look at the life of a sole practitioner. I was hooked. But with a background in psychology, not business or accounting, my enthusiasm for tax law might seem a little out of left field.
On the contrary, I have found that providing tax controversy assistance to individuals experiencing these crises is one of the best applications of my undergraduate degree to date. Individuals come to us extremely stressed and vulnerable. They are often confused by the letters they’ve been receiving, worried about their futures, and afraid of what they don’t understand. Enter my psychology degree.
Often after a single consultation with an individual, we are able to significantly reduce the panic and fear and offer a buffer between the taxpayer and the tax collector. What a relief! After explaining taxpayer rights and the procedures that we will anticipate the IRS to follow, much of the anxiety can be calmed. Prior to law school, I worked nearly ten years in mental and public health related positions. Never, after a single consultation with an individual, did I see such a change.
Additionally, tax controversies have a life cycle. True, some last a lot longer than others, but inevitably, we get to some kind of a resolution. This is probably what I enjoy most about the work. We get results. Helping clients come to a real resolution so they can move on with their lives is what I look forward to most in my prospective career. I often joke it’s the best application of my degree I’ve found. So in short, that’s why I chose tax law. Financial stress is a leading cause of stress for Americans, and I found a little niche that will hopefully allow me to help at least a few find some relief.