Criminal Tax Defense – State and Federal

Protecting Your Freedom. Preserving Your Career.

When the Department of Justice indictes a tax professional, everything is at stake—your license, your business, your reputation, and your freedom. They are federal cases where the government is actively building evidence to charge you with tax crimes such as:

Tax Evasion
Filing False Returns
Fraudulent Use of Tax Credits (EITC, CTC, ERC, etc.)
Aiding and Abetting Tax Fraud
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States
Wire Fraud or Identity Theft Related to Tax Filings

For tax professionals, these cases often begin with surprise tactics:

A knock on your door by IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) agents.
A grand jury subpoena for client records.
A search warrant executed at your office.
Or worse—clients being questioned and turned against you.

Why IRS Criminal Cases Against Tax Professionals Are Different

Unlike taxpayers under investigation, tax professionals are held to higher standards. The IRS assumes you knew better. That means the government will push harder, and the consequences extend beyond fines or jail. You risk:

Loss of your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
Revocation of your EFIN (Electronic Filing Identification Number)
Bar referrals and disciplinary action with the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)
Permanent damage to your professional reputationOr worse—clients being questioned and turned against you.

Our Approach: Aggressive Defense for Tax Professionals

At The Walton Firm, we are the only law firm exclusively dedicated to defending tax professionals. We know how these cases unfold and what it takes to fight them. Our strategy includes:

Pre-Indictment Defense – Intervening early to stop charges before they are filed.
Evidence Review & Challenges – Exposing flaws in IRS methods, CI interviews, or data analysis.
Negotiations with DOJ/IRS – Seeking resolutions that protect your license and reduce exposure.
Trial Defense – If necessary, mounting a courtroom defense that challenges the government’s narrative.
Parallel Proceedings – Defending against civil audits, OPR actions, and EFIN/PTIN sanctions that often accompany criminal investigations.

Walton Wins

Case Closed – No Charges Filed: IRS investigated a tax preparer for allegedly misusing the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). We proved the preparer never filed false employer returns or received ERC funds. Case closed with no criminal charges.

Service Bureau Investigation – Cleared: Our client was under a service bureau that the IRS alleged was committing tax fraud. IRS assumed all connected preparers were involved. We demonstrated our client’s independence and compliance. Case dismissed.

State Revenue Criminal Case – Probation Instead of Prison: The state accused a preparer of falsifying returns by altering Schedule C income. Facing over 5 years in prison, we negotiated a result of probation and license restrictions—no prison time.

Why Choose The Walton Firm

Experience Matters

With over 15 years of experience in tax law, The Walton Firm has the expertise to handle even the moExclusively Defending Tax Professionals – It’s all we do.

Experience With IRS CI and DOJ – We understand their tactics and how to fight them.
Harvard-Trained Tax Attorney Leadership – Our Managing Partner, Josie Harris-Walton, Esq., brings top-level litigation and tax law expertise.
National Reach – We defend tax professionals across the United States.st complex tax situations. She has helped countless individuals and businesses save money on their taxes while staying in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

If you are a tax professional who have been charged with a tax crime, time is your most valuable asset. The earlier we get involved, the more options you have to protect your license, your practice, and your freedom.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late