Austin & Larson Tax Resolution
Tax Lawyer In Hartland Township, MI
If you owe back taxes to the IRS or the State of Michigan, a tax attorney can stop collection, file what is missing, and deal with both agencies for you. Our office is in Brighton, about 10 miles south of Hartland on US-23, and the first consultation is free.
Tax Debt is Often
Intimidating
Frustrating
Confusing
Embarrassing
Stressful
… But it Doesn’t Have to Be
Three things changed for Hartland taxpayers in the last year
Each one affects whether you owe more, whether a letter is routine, and whether you can still appeal. Most pages that rank for this search do not mention any of them.
Michigan stopped following five federal tax breaks (signed October 7, 2025)
Your federal return and your Michigan return are now calculated differently on five business items. Through House Bill 4961, Michigan decoupled from bonus depreciation, the new R&D expensing rule, the larger Section 179 limit (Michigan holds the deduction at $1 million while the federal limit rose to $2.5 million), the business interest limit, and the write-off for qualified production property. Michigan did keep the new federal deductions for tip and overtime income.
Why it matters here: a Hartland-area manufacturer or pass-through that assumes “good federally means good for Michigan” can underpay state estimates and get a notice. The two returns no longer move together.
The new Michigan Treasury system is sending letters that are sometimes wrong
Michigan replaced its 40-year-old tax system this filing season with a new platform and the Michigan Treasury eServices portal. As of mid-2026, about 200,000 to 250,000 returns are still unresolved, and roughly 27,000 people received adjustment letters with errors, some telling them they owed tax they had already paid or had to repay a refund check.
What to do first: check your account in Michigan Treasury eServices and the Tax Year 2025 Solutions Tracker before you act. Every notice has a Letter ID and appeal rights. Do not repay an unexpected refund check until you confirm the balance is real.
Your 2026 Hartland tax-appeal calendar, and what has already closed
This is property tax, which is separate from the IRS and state income-tax debt we mainly handle, but the dates are specific and easy to miss:
Decode the notice you got
Pick the letter or situation you are facing. You will get a plain read on whether it is routine or serious, and the next step, based on how the IRS and Michigan Treasury actually handle these in 2026.
- Michigan: Request for Information letter
- Michigan: Notice of Adjustment
- Michigan: Reminder of Tax Due or Intent to Assess
- Michigan: unexpected refund check
- IRS: CP14 balance due notice
- IRS: CP504 intent to levy
- IRS: LT11 / Letter 1058 final notice
- A wage garnishment or bank levy has started
- An IRS Revenue Officer contacted me
Usually routine
Michigan Treasury sends a Request for Information when its new system cannot finish your return with what was filed. On its own it is not a bill, but ignoring it can lead to a credit denial or a balance due.
Looking For A Fresh Start in Michigan?
We Are Here To Help!
Should the weight of tax debt be pressing down on you, we urge you to connect with us to avail of a no-cost
consultation. Our objective revolves around untangling tax debt complexities for clients entangled in an array of
tax-related dilemmas. It would bring us immense satisfaction to furnish you with solutions to your inquiries and aid
you in swiftly settling your tax debt matters.
What a tax attorney can do that the others cannot
When you probably do not need us
We will tell you this on the call instead of signing you up:
What We Do | Tax Resolution
Offer In Compromise
Installment Agreements
Non-Collectable Status
Compliance
Revenue Officer Representation
Levies & Wage Garnishments
Bankruptcy
Audit Representation
Tax Return Preparation
Handling tax resolution may feel daunting, but with our expert guidance, you'll experience relief knowing seasoned professionals are by your side. At Austin & Larson Tax Resolution, our experienced Michigan tax lawyers are dedicated to delivering the reassurance and help you deserve. Well-regarded for their expertise and in-depth understanding of Michigan State tax regulations, our proficient tax relief lawyers provide a full spectrum of services, from thorough consultations to exceptional legal advocacy, all focused on securing the most favorable resolution to your tax matters.
What tax resolution work costs
Across Southeast Michigan, tax controversy work is commonly billed at a range, not a single price: $200 to $550+ / hour
That is a market range from area practitioners, not our quote. Many firms, including ours, use flat fees or a flat-plus-hourly mix for common matters such as installment agreements and audit defense, so you know the cost before work starts.
Local, and close
Hartland Township sits in eastern Livingston County along the US-23 corridor, bordered by Brighton Township to the south and Oakland County to the east. Our Brighton office is about 10 miles down US-23, with freeway access at Exit 70 (Clyde Road) and Exit 67 (M-59). Howell, the county seat, is 10 miles west.
Our Process | Simple, Fast & Stress Free
Step 1: Initial Contact
During your first call to our office, we will ask you a brief
background of your current tax situation and determine the
most convenient office location for your free initial
consultation.
Step 2: Free Consultation
We will meet with you to review and discuss your individual
facts and circumstances to create a customized tax relief plan
for your situation and the next steps to take to resolve your tax
situation.
Step 3: Begin Resolving Debt
Once we have decided to move forward, we will immediately begin working with the IRS on your behalf to resolve your
case as quickly as possible. We will also provide advice and the steps you need to take to ensure you do not acquire
any additional debt while we work to settle your case. From the moment you retain our firm, we will be your voice with
the IRS and the point of contact for all taxing entities.
Step 4: Monitor Case Status
Some tax debt cases can be resolved quickly, while others may
have quite a bit of back and forth contact with the IRS to reach
full resolution. We will regularly monitor your case and keep
you in the loop along the way so you are never left in the dark.
Step 5: Tax Freedom!
It is our goal not only to resolve your current tax debt but also
to make sure that you don't have any further tax problems.
After we have reached resolution with your case, you will be
fully equipped with best practices to avoid future tax issues of
any kind.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have both federal and Michigan tax exposure after the 2025 to 2026 changes. Do I start with my CPA or a tax lawyer?
Start with whoever can see both returns and the decoupling. If it is a filing or calculation question and you can pay what you owe, your CPA may be enough. If you owe a balance you cannot pay, there is a notice or an audit, or the federal and Michigan difference created a liability you did not expect, a tax attorney can handle both the calculation and the negotiation, and your conversations are privileged.
I got a Michigan Treasury letter about my 2025 return. Is it routine or serious?
Check your account in Michigan Treasury eServices and the Solutions Tracker first, since the new system has sent letters with errors. A Request for Information is usually routine. A Notice of Adjustment, a Reminder of Tax Due, or an Intent to Assess showing a real balance you cannot pay is when representation helps. Do not repay an unexpected refund check until you confirm the balance is real.
Property assessment issue in Hartland. Should I hire a lawyer or handle the Board of Review myself?
For a straightforward residential value protest, many owners handle the March Board of Review themselves with comparable sales and a completed Form L-4035. For commercial or industrial property, a large dollar difference, or a Michigan Tax Tribunal filing, representation is usually worth the cost. Note that the 2026 valuation windows have already closed; the next residential window is March 2027.
Can you actually stop a wage garnishment or bank levy?
Often yes, and quickly. Once we file for representation, we can propose a payment alternative or show financial hardship to release a levy on your pay or account. How fast depends on your situation and the agency, and we do not promise a specific result.
What is the difference between a tax lawyer, a CPA, and an enrolled agent?
A tax attorney has a law degree, can give legal advice, can represent you in U.S. Tax Court, and protects your communications with attorney-client privilege. A CPA focuses on accounting and tax preparation. An enrolled agent is licensed by the IRS to represent taxpayers in audits and collection. Our firm has all three, so the right person handles each part of your case.
I have unfiled returns going back several years. Can you help?
Yes. Unfiled returns are one of the most common problems we resolve. When the IRS files a substitute return for you, it usually leaves out deductions and credits you are owed, which inflates the balance. We prepare and file the missing years, which often lowers what you owe, then set up a resolution for any remaining balance.
Talk to a tax attorney about your situation
Tell us what you owe or what letter you received. We will give you a straight read on your options at no cost. Interest and penalties keep adding up while a balance sits, so the sooner you start, the more room there is to work with.
Weekdays 8am-6pm
Brighton, Saginaw, Lansing, and Jackson, MI
Free Phone or In-Person Consultation
Fill out the form below or give us a call today to speak with one of our tax experts!
Learn From The Experts
IRS LT11 Notice (Or Letter 1058): How To Stop An IRS Levy
Written By: Michael Vale Reviewed By: Bridgette Austin, Esq., EA, Co-Founder and Tax Attorney Last Reviewed: August 9, 2026 An IRS LT11 notice, also sent as Letter 1058, is the last warning the IRS gives before it can legally take your wages, bank accounts, or other...
How To Respond To An IRS Notice Of Deficiency
Written By: Michael Vale Reviewed By: Bridgette Austin, Esq., EA, Co-Founder and Tax Attorney Last Reviewed: August 7, 2026 An IRS notice of deficiency starts a 90-day clock, and that clock is the first thing to deal with. You have 90 days from the date printed on the...
CP504 Notice: What The IRS Can Actually Take And What To Do First
Written By: Michael Vale Reviewed By: Bridgette Austin, Esq., EA, Co-Founder and Tax Attorney Last Reviewed: August 5, 2026 If a CP504 notice just landed in your mailbox, here's the short version. The IRS wants a past-due balance, and it's warning you that it will...