Local Offices:   ✓ Chicago Loop  ✓ Oak Park  ✓ Schaumburg  ✓ Naperville 

Rated 4.8

(200+ Google Reviews)

Loop, Oak Park and Naperville Offices

Local Offices:  Chicago Loop
Oak Park, Naperville, Schaumburg

Tax Trouble? Our Tax Attorneys Fix IRS Issues Right Here in Chicago

Rated 4.8

(200+ Google Reviews)

Veteran Owned · BBB A+ Rated

19,000+ clients helped over 24 years. Phone or in-person meetings available. Chicago Loop, Oak Park and Naperville.

Rated 4.8

(200+ Google Reviews)

Looking for experienced, top rated help to fix a tax issue? You’re in the right place.

Call and speak to a local tax attorney today.

We handle back taxes, audits and appeals. Personal and business.

Veteran Owned Since 2002. BBB A+ Rated. Over 19,000 cases handled.

Appointments available in Chicago, Oak Park and Naperville.

Call Us Today (312) 345-5440
illinois-state-bar-association-isba-logo-vector

Rated 4.8

(200+ Google Reviews)

Why People Hire Us

When you have a serious IRS problem, you need direct access to professionals who’ve handled thousands of cases — not a call center reading from a script.

  • When you call, you’ll speak with the owner or an attorney. A straightforward 15–30 minute call. If you prefer to meet in person, we can arrange an appointment in the Loop, Oak Park, or Naperville.
  • Our Licensed Professionals Handle Every Case Personally. You get the combined expertise of attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents with years of experience representing clients before the IRS.
  • We Tailor Our Approach for Every Client. No two cases are the same — a successful outcome depends on your income, filing history, how much you owe, and much more. We work to resolve your situation and make sure your taxes stay in order long after we’re done.

What outcome can I realistically expect?

When you call, you’ll get an honest assessment of your situation and a clear understanding of your path forward. There are no up-front costs unless we can help you.

C
Chris Chicago, Illinois
★★★★★

“Kelly put my mind at ease immediately. The Tax Defenders saved us more than ten times what their fee was. The result was better than what they promised. I’m in disbelief that our problem is over.”

MB
Molly B Oak Park, Illinois
★★★★★

“They helped me resolve a complicated tax matter in less than a week for a fraction of what I paid at the other firms. I cannot give enough praise to this firm.”

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The Tax Defenders

They helped me resolve a complicated tax matter in less than a week for a fraction of what I paid at the other firms. I cannot give enough praise to this firm.

Molly B – Oak Park, Illinois

C
Chris Chicago, Illinois
★★★★★

“Kelly put my mind at ease immediately. The Tax Defenders saved us more than ten times what their fee was. The result was better than what they promised. I’m in disbelief that our problem is over.”

MB
Molly B Oak Park, Illinois
★★★★★

“They helped me resolve a complicated tax matter in less than a week for a fraction of what I paid at the other firms. I cannot give enough praise to this firm.”

AS
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.”

A Company Founded From A Personal Tax Issue

Joe Hanley, Founder of The Tax Defenders

Our founder, Joe Hanley, brings two life experiences to the spirit and operation of The Tax Defenders.

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

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

RM
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!”

AD
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.”

Meet Our Team

Over 100 years of combined experience. You’ll know exactly who is working your case from the first call to resolution.

Joe Hanley

Joe Hanley

President

Kelly Hanley

Kelly Hanley

Tax Attorney

Rick Reiter

Rick Reiter

Tax Attorney

Samantha Davis

Samantha Davis

Tax Attorney

Barry Nelson

Barry Nelson

Tax Accountant & CPA

Ashley Schoot

Ashley Schoot

Enrolled Agent

Our Experience

  • Former IRS Counsel
  • Ex-National Law Firm Attorney
  • Ex-State Enforcement Attorney
  • Former Big Four CPA
  • Tax Court Experience

What You Get

  • A team with a depth of IRS expertise
  • Strategies personalised to your situation
  • Real people who care about the outcome of your case
  • Full support with your taxes once your case concludes
Meet the Rest of the Team

Recent Results for Our Clients

Samantha fully reversed a $103,836 bank levy for a small business owner with multiple retail locations across Florida, allowing the client to rebuild his business cashflow.

Rick negotiated with a Chicago-area Revenue Officer to establish a Partial Payment Installment Agreement, protecting a client’s retirement savings fully.

Barry represented a client in an IRS audit with a small business expense examination. Result: no changes from the original return.

Kelly established a $400/month installment agreement for a Texas client on $223,772 in debt. The IRS had been demanding over $2,000 a month.

Samantha established a $500/month installment agreement for a software engineer from Utah who had $77,914 in tax debt.

Kelly obtained a full settlement for a divorced attorney by placing her $107,659 debt in Currently Not Collectible status.

Ashley had a Currently Not Collectible status approved for an Illinois client on $668,742 in debt, saving them the full amount when the debt expires in two years.

A California couple was approved for a $500 Offer in Compromise on their $173,995 debt after we appealed an IRS valuation, saving them $173,495.

Read More Success Stories

The Tax Defenders Are Here To Help

We help individuals and businesses fix their IRS problems, quickly resolving 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 Old Tax Problems

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

Experienced IRS Representation

Our team negotiates with the IRS on tough cases including audits, enforcement actions, IRS revenue officers and settlement agreements. Get professional support on your tax problem.

Fixing Small Business Tax Issues

Get 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.

Call Us Today (312) 345-5440

Click to Schedule Your Call

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.

Janet Patterson

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!

David W

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
We Fix IRS Tax Problems

Issues We Help With

Honest recommendation on what your problem really is and how how to fix it. Even if you don’t hire, you should be clear on how to move forward.

If you owe the IRS, our tax attorneys go beyond basic repayment plans. We assess whether the balance is accurate, explore tax debt solutions, and protect you from penalties or enforcement — all while helping you move toward a long-term resolution.

From Offers in Compromise to structured Installment Agreements, our tax attorneys help you resolve what you owe in a way that fits your finances. We handle the paperwork, negotiation, and strategy — so you get the best result the IRS will allow.

When you receive a levy, lien, or garnishment notice, timing is critical. Our tax attorneys act fast to stop enforcement and protect your income, assets, and business — while working toward a manageable solution.

Revenue Officers bring serious collection pressure. Our tax attorneys take over the communication, protect your rights, and help resolve your case before the IRS takes action against your wages, bank accounts, or property.

If your business owes payroll taxes, has 941 issues, or is under audit, our tax attorneys step in to defend both your company and your personal liability. We help you manage IRS pressure, fix compliance gaps, and protect your operations.

Facing an audit? You don’t have to navigate it alone. Our tax attorneys represent you directly with the IRS, manage requests for documents, and defend your position. If the audit results are unfair, we push back to correct them.

From years of unfiled returns to international tax issues and personal liability concerns, our tax attorneys bring clarity to complicated situations. We help you face what’s been avoided — and get back on solid ground.

What will happen when you call today

Zero Pressure. During the call you will speak directly with one of our tax team and will get straightforward answers on all your questions. Your case process will be briefly explained, including how to proceed and the typical costs involved. You should leave the call with clarity and reassurance.

Tax Problem Assessment

Tell us your tax problem background and we will answer any initial questions you may have.

Explain

Your Options

Based on your circumstances and IRS history, we’ll explain the different options for the best outcome.

Timeline
& Fees

We will contact the IRS for you immediately. No up front costs unless we can help you

Call Us Today (312) 345-5440

Click to Schedule Your Call

Our offices

Appointments available in our offices in the Chicago Loop and Oak Park. We also offer in person appointments in Naperville, Schaumburg and Northbrook for clients and initial meetings.

Chicago

The Tax Defenders

125 S. Wacker Drive
Suite 303 Chicago, IL 60606

Oak Park

The Tax Defenders

1033 South Blvd
Suite 4,
Oak Park, IL 60302

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.

You’ll speak directly with an attorney or a senior tax professional—not a call center and not a salesperson. We’ll take the time to understand your situation, ask the right questions, and provide honest guidance on what to do next.
We understand that reaching out can feel like a big step. Our job is to make that step easier by offering clarity, discretion, and real answers. There’s no charge for the initial call—and no pressure to commit unless we’re the right fit for your case.

If your issue involves the IRS or state taxing authorities—whether it’s back taxes, audits, enforcement actions, or unfiled returns—we can likely help. We’ve spent decades resolving complex cases for clients in Chicago and nationwide.
We evaluate each case on its merits. If your situation falls outside our scope, we’ll let you know up front. But in most cases, if you’re facing a tax problem serious enough to be reading this, we’ve helped clients in your exact position.

Your matter will be managed by a licensed tax attorney with significant experience in IRS and state tax controversy. We do not outsource any tax work, all representation is conducted in-house to ensure consistency, confidentiality, and quality of service.
From the outset, you will know exactly who is responsible for your case. You’ll have direct access to your tax team and receive clear, timely communication at every stage. Our approach is rooted in professional accountability and a commitment to achieving effective, client-focused outcomes.

Yes. Tax attorneys are federally authorized to represent clients before the IRS in all matters, including audits, collections, appeals, and proceedings before the United States Tax Court. We manage all filings and communications with the IRS and are trained to structure and negotiate resolutions that comply with federal tax law while protecting our clients’ interests.
Our role goes beyond form preparation. We apply proven tax strategy to each case, advocating for our clients at every stage of the process. Where necessary, we litigate to achieve favorable outcomes and ensure our clients’ rights are fully protected under the law.

At our firm, you don’t have to guess who you need—we have tax attorneys, enrolled agents and CPAs on staff. During your initial consultation, we’ll assess your situation and assign the right professionals to resolve your case efficiently and correctly. Whether your case requires a tax resolution strategy, forensic accounting, or both, we build a solution that’s tailored to your specific issue.

We are located in Chicago with offices in the loop and Oak park with available appointments in other parts of Chicagoland. We also serve clients with IRS problems across the United States. You’ll have direct access to the team helping resolve your tax issues. We are a small firm with an experienced team which allows us to be flexible in our thinking to resolve different problems.