Veteran Owned – Since 2002

Tax Debt Lawyers in Chicago for IRS Taxes

At The Tax Defenders, our experienced tax debt lawyers provide strategic tax resolution, strong legal advocacy, and tailored support for professionals and business owners facing serious tax debt.

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Rated 4.8

(200+ Google Reviews)

Buried in IRS Debt? We’ve Helped Thousands Resolve Their Tax Issues

When tax debt spirals out of control, you don’t need another sales pitch—you need a clear plan and a qualified attorney to execute it. Our tax debt lawyers provide experienced representation to help stop IRS enforcement action, resolve your tax debt, and restore peace of mind.

Kathy Szram

Chicago, Illinois

Provides both comfort and professional service in handling sensitive IRS matters. Their expertise and dedication ensure that IRS problems are resolved quickly and effectively. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of top-notch tax representation!

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Regulated & Accredited

The Tax Defenders Are Here To Help

We help individuals and businesses assess their situations with the IRS, fix any immediate issues and put them on a path to a cleaner tax future. From representing clients at audit meetings to negotiating a payment plan, our attorneys always put our clients’ needs first.

Clean Up of Old Tax Problems

We help individuals and families overcome lingering tax issues with tailored strategies, direct, personalized support and a comprehensive plan to get your taxes fixed

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Experienced IRS Representation

We offer proactive, experienced IRS representation. We negotiate with the IRS on tough cases including audits, enforcement actions, negotiation and IRS revenue officer help.

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Fixing Small Business Tax Issues

We provide strategic, experienced solutions to small business tax issues. Our attorneys tackle challenging cases involving payroll tax debts, IRS audits, and enforcement actions, protecting you and your business.

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Tax Debt Lawyers
for IRS and State Tax Issues

tax debt lawyer

Facing IRS Tax Debt?

When you owe the IRS, the problem doesn’t fade with time—it compounds. Interest accrues daily. Penalties increase. And enforcement tools like bank levies, wage garnishments, and federal tax liens are all available to them without a court order.
IRS procedures can be difficult to navigate without experienced counsel. Missing a deadline or responding improperly can limit your options. Our attorneys work directly with the IRS on behalf of Chicago-area clients to stabilize the situation, prevent further action, and resolve the debt.

Illinois State Tax Debt

The Illinois Department of Revenue isn’t just a smaller version of the IRS. It operates under its own set of rules—and in many cases, acts more quickly and with fewer safeguards when it comes to collections. State enforcement can lead to wage garnishments, license suspensions, and aggressive collection efforts with little advance notice.
We represent both Chicago residents and individuals who have moved out of state but are still facing unresolved Illinois tax issues. Whether it’s unpaid payroll taxes, sales tax liabilities, or back returns, our attorneys understand how the state operates—and how to defend your rights no matter where you live now.

Meet our clients

Testimonials from our clients that confirm our expertise and speak for themselves

Molly B

Chicago, Illinois

They helped me resolve a complicated tax matter in less than a week for a fraction of what i paid at other firms. I could tell they care about their clients. I cannot give enough praise to this firm.

Eliza Z

Naperville, Illinois

I can’t say enough great things about The Tax Defenders. We were relieved with the support and the empathy for our situation. I can honestly say they go above and beyond for you and your family.

Angel S

Chicago, Illinois

I would recommend TTD 1000%. What I went through was scary, and I can now sleep well at night. I only wish I called them sooner. Professional, courteous, and they get the job done. Thank you!

Kathy S

Aurora, Illinois

Provides both comfort and professional service in handling sensitive IRS matters. Joe Hanley and his team go above and beyond, offering honest opinions something many attorneys wouldn’t do for free.

Dina M

Skokie, Illinois

These people REALLY care! He took time without rushing me through it, going over all possible solutions and even told me not to hire him because I didn’t need him at this point but to reach back out if i had any issues.

Ray M

Chicago, Illinois

I can’t describe how impressed I am with Joe Hanley. His professional, yet friendly approach immediately put me at ease and made the situation seem a lot less scary. Thank you Joe for all your help!

Ignacio S

Chicago, Illinois

Great experienced working with TTD Chicago! Communication and coordination were always very timely. Professionalism is unwavering. Objectives established and achieved. They saved me over $35,000!

Pat S

Oak Park, Illinois

Beyond honest with me after reviewing my situation. Gave me solid advice and did not pressure me to pay anymore fees to the firm. Honesty is hard to find these days. I highly recommend this group.

Amy D

Chicago, Illinois

Amazing work and care for their clients! They did a great job of getting the work done and the integrity they showed in their work was impeccable. Highly recommend.

More Testimonials

Meet our experienced attorneys.

With over 100 years of combined tax experience our team can take care of your issue with compassion and expertise, we care about the outcome. Your case will be handle directly by a licensed tax attorney. No outsourcing ever.

Joe Hanley

President

Kelly Hanley

Tax Attorney

Kylie Ray

Tax Attorney

Samantha Wisniewski

Tax Attorney

Barry Nelson

Tax Accountant & CPA

Employee Spotlight: Chicago

Joe Hanley

President

He had his own tax problem. While working at a homeless shelter and seven years before starting TTD, he made a withholding error. What was a small liability debt ballooned into owing the IRS just over $10,000. It took him four years to pay that off. It was a tough financial chapter but infuses our practice with a great deal of empathy for people fighting through tax problems.

Joe is a veteran of five years of service in the United States Marine Corps including combat in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. We get our no-hype, straight-talk as well as our sense of duty from the Marines.

With over 20 years in the business, there aren’t many tax problems Joe hasn’t seen. With an experienced team around him it allows us to work quickly to identify what’s going on and how to get clients issues resolved.

We Fix IRS Tax Problems

How our tax debt lawyers fight tax issues.

Every tax problem is different, the right strategy can stop enforcement, reduce what you owe, and put you back in control. Here are seven tools we use to resolve IRS and Illinois state tax debt.

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We negotiate directly with the IRS or the State of Illinois to settle your debt for less than what you owe. It’s not easy to qualify—but when you do, it can be life-changing. We handle every detail to make sure your case is presented correctly and taken seriously.

If settling your debt isn’t possible, we negotiate a formal payment plan with the IRS or the Illinois Department of Revenue that reflects your financial reality. A properly structured agreement can stop collection actions like levies or garnishments and prevent the situation from getting worse.

If the IRS or Illinois is already coming after your paycheck or bank account, we step in immediately. We negotiate with revenue officers, file appeals, and use our experience to pause or stop enforcement before more damage is done.

Penalties and interest often double the size of the original debt. In many cases, we can get those penalties reduced or removed entirely—especially if you have a good history or a valid reason for falling behind.

Unfiled returns can make your situation much worse. We help you file what’s missing—strategically and correctly—to reduce your liability and avoid triggering enforcement.

If you truly can’t afford to pay anything right now, we work to get your account placed in “Currently Not Collectible” status. That means no payments, no garnishments, no collection activity—while you get back on your feet.

Whether you’re dealing with the IRS or the Illinois Department of Revenue, we represent you directly—so you don’t have to face them alone. We challenge inaccurate balances, push back on enforcement, and keep the process moving toward resolution.

Owe Over $50,000 in Tax Debt? Our Attorneys Handle Complex Cases

When your tax debt exceeds $50,000, the situation changes significantly. At this level, cases often draw increased attention from the IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue—and may be assigned to a Revenue Officer based out of the Chicago field office. These officers are tasked with actively pursuing collection and are granted broad authority to enforce compliance. Direct communication from a Revenue Officer means your case has moved into a more active stage.

Our attorneys regularly represent individuals and business owners throughout Chicago who are managing complex, high-dollar tax liabilities. These cases often involve unfiled returns, payroll tax issues, or multi-year IRS balances. We step in to assess the full scope of the matter, engage directly with assigned officers when appropriate, and guide our clients toward a resolution that protects both their assets and their long-term financial stability.

Large tax debts can be resolved. The key is early intervention, clear guidance, and experienced legal representation from a team that understands how these cases are handled.

Chicago – (312) 345-5440

Frequently Asked Questions

Get clear, professional answers to the most common questions we hear from individuals and businesses facing serious tax issues. Got a specific question? Contact us in our form and we will do our best to answer.

Many clients come to us with existing agreements that are too high, incorrectly calculated, or no longer affordable. In some cases, we can renegotiate terms or explore alternatives like settlement or hardship status.

Yes, through a program called Offer in Compromise. But not everyone qualifies, and the process is detailed and heavily reviewed. If accepted, it can significantly reduce your liability. We evaluate your eligibility and handle the entire submission to give you the best chance of success.

Penalties will continue to grow, and enforcement will follow. That may include wage garnishments, bank levies, tax liens, or loss of business licenses. The sooner you address the problem, the more control we can help you regain.

Yes. We represent clients nationwide who are facing enforcement or unresolved balances from the Illinois Department of Revenue. Moving out of state doesn’t make the problem disappear—but we can help resolve it from wherever you are now.