You may be wondering when the right time to hire a tax attorney is. Standard and routine questions regarding your tax return can be answered by a certified tax preparer or an accountant. More difficult and complex legal questions may require the counsel of an attorney. There are times when you should consider representation: if you are being audited by the IRS, facing criminal charges, disputing with the IRS, the owner of a business, starting a new business, the executor of an estate, or getting divorced.