Veteran Owned. Since 2002. Tax Problems Focused
Veteran Owned. Since 2002.

Serious Tax Problem? Hiring the right team matters.

We offer deep IRS experience and truly personal service. We resolve your current tax problem and give you a clear path forward.

Veteran Owned Since 2002. Over 19,000 cases handled.

Licensed CPAs, Attorneys and Enrolled Agents. BBB A+ Rated.

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

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We offer deep IRS experience and truly personal service. We resolve your current tax problem and give you a clear path forward.

Licensed CPAs, Attorneys and Enrolled Agents. BBB A+ Rated.

Veteran Owned Since 2002. Over 19,000 cases handled.

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

Click Here To Call Us Today

Getting Proven Results For Clients Since 2002

We get results due to our personal 1:1 approach coupled with our deep tax practice experience. We are not trying to be a volume practice, we take on cases where we can truly help.

Call us or schedule a case review and you will speak to a licensed professional on your first call. No sales pitch, no pressure… just realistic, experienced guidance about the scope of your problem and options for fixing things.

If we can help, we will explain why and how it works. If not, you will still leave the call with an in-depth understanding of your path.

Watch: What To Expect

Very professional and extremely responsive to our questions. They helped us resolve a complicated tax issue quickly. Thank you

Daniel G

One of the better decisions in my life was hiring The Tax Defenders to help with my tax issues w/ the IRS. They took so much stress off my plate.

Gary C

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The Tax Defenders

Who are we and why we can help.

Our team has the talent of a big city law firm. Former IRS Counsel, Big 4 CPAs, State Enforcement Attorneys and Top 3 AmLaw Tax Litigators. With over 100 years of combined tax experience we can take care of your tax issue with compassion and expertise.

Joe Hanley

President

Kelly Hanley

Tax Attorney

Rick Reiter

Tax Attorney

Samantha Davis

Tax Attorney

Barry Nelson

Tax Accountant & CPA

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We are veteran owned, celebrating our 24th year in the business.

Our owner 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.

Learn More About The Firm Here

We’ve been in
the trenches.

19,000+

Cases handled

$110M+

Saved for clients

A+

Rated by the BBB

Don’t take our word for it

We could tell you we’re good. But you’d expect us to say that. So read the reviews instead, from clients we’ve helped and people we advised on a single phone call. Don’t take our word for it, read check the links, BBB reviews and Google reviews.

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

Hagerstown, Maryland

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

Orlando, Florida

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

St Louis, Missouri

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

Atlanta, Georgia

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

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

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

Boulder, Colorado

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

Dallas, Texas

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

Madison, Wisconsin

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.

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Tax Disputes and Negotiation is All We Do

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.

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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.

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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.

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Founded in Chicago. We Practice Nationwide.

Founded in Chicago. We Practice Nationwide.

We’ve spent 24 years fighting the IRS in all 50 states. Back taxes, audits, appeals, we’ve handle thousands of IRS cases. We’re established in Chicago with locations in the Loop, Oak Park, and Naperville (Click to meet with us in Chicago.).

Our team has grown to include members in Missouri, Tennessee, New Jersey, Florida, California, and more. Below is where are clients have been located.

January 2026 Success Stories

  • We reversed a $103,836 bank levy for a small business owner with multiple retail locations.
  • The IRS demanded $5,500 per month on an accountants $150,302 liability. We got him into Currently Not Collectible. 
  • We negotiated with a Revenue Officer to establish an agreement, protecting a client’s retirement savings fully. 
  • A truck driver from Texas was granted an Offer in Compromise in the amount of $1,538. This was a savings of $134,712. 
  • An Illinois attorney’s $1.8 million liability was resolved, resulting him keeping his practice, making monthly affordable payments.
Read More Recent Results Here
Chicago Tax Attorney

What’s your goal today?

01

Considering hiring us?

Click below to read about our team, our process and why we think we are pretty great.

Schedule Free Case Review
02

Learn more about your tax problem

Want to read higher level information about your problem and how to fix it.

03

Have a specific question?

Well, websites aren’t that great at understanding specific problems. Click below and a real person will review and answer your question.

Click to ask us a question

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.