We believe the value of our Firm and its services is best captured and understood within the context of who we really are as people.
SAVE YOU MONEY
We save you money in the current tax year and create savings that will undoubtedly send a ripple through the coming years. In the long run, thousands of dollars will grow to hundreds of thousands, then millions in savings.
GREATER WEALTH
We help you keep more money in your pockets for investing, saving, or anything else that contributes to a good life. Our attorneys strive to reduce your lifetime tax liability by implementing different legal tax optimization strategies.
PEACE OF MIND
We work with you to ensure every item is correctly captured on your tax returns allowing you to enjoy greater peace of mind.
Overview
Let’s face it: No one grows up wanting to become a tax attorney. Being a tax attorney, though, has been one of the great pleasures of my life, because it allows me to have discussions with our clients about how they use their financial resources to achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals. In doing so, we understand them more as people and can provide more value to their lives by helping them achieve what they really want. With the understanding that we will never be able to help everyone, we want to provide as much value as possible to those within our orbit.
What Else Should I Know?
- WHAT WE ARE
- WHAT WE ARE NOT
- WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
WHAT WE ARE
Advocates Who See The Playing Field and Deliver Results That Really Matter to Our Clients
The tax tail does not wag the dog. You can hire anyone to help you save money in taxes or solve your tax problems. The value that we provide as an organization goes beyond something that is purely transactional and strives to deliver real results for our clients. Having a better understanding of your situation allows us to help you and your business achieve the real objectives.
Authentic. We Meet People Where They Are – Unwavering Partnership and Empathy
We are authentic in who we are and in the practice of what we do. Providing professional service is an inherently personal exercise and so our Firm strives to create an unwavering partnership where empathy guides our every action. We meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to be by offering tailored legal and tax solutions that reflect your life’s ambitions and challenges.
Clear Communicators Who Value Transparency and Trust
We guarantee transparency and trust, from the first conversation to the closing letter in your file (and beyond). We do not make decisions for people but rather make sure that they have enough information (with our recommendations) to make the best decisions for themselves. You will always know where you stand with us, and we always want to know where we stand with you, as clear, honest communication is critical to safeguarding you and addressing what you really need from our partnership.
WHAT WE ARE NOT
Wide-Ranging or “One Size Fits All” Legal/Tax Services
While comprehensive in what we do within our niche, we are not a jack of all trades. Our focus is sharp and specialized, ensuring depth over breadth. We go beyond your tax problems to solve all your problems, but that does not mean that we do everything ourselves. We stay in our lane, strive to be the best in our lane, and similarly have a wide network of like-minded others that we develop, cultivate, and prune for the benefit of our clients.
A Waste of Your Money
Providing exceptional value through unparalleled service and hiring those who are the best at what they do comes at a cost. Your patronage is matched with our commitment to continually invest in making our Firm better.
We believe in quality and do not cut corners. However, we equally believe in analyzing the cost/benefit and managing client resources as efficiently as possible. We control and drive costs down through efficiency and by creating innovative ways to work around a variety of budgets to resolve client cash flow challenges. We are really good at it, and you can read about our pricing here.
A Waste of Your Time
Brotman Law is a goal-oriented law firm and not an easy solutions-oriented one. We promise thorough, lasting solutions, not quick fixes. Tax matters can be complex and resolving them properly takes time and diligence, ensuring lasting benefits over temporary relief.
Our approach is to bifurcate a problem into short-term and long-term. We work immediately to get a short-term solution in place so we can focus on the long-term objectives that the client has and put a permanent resolution in place. This contrasts with those who pretend that the short-term solution is the long-term answer and focus on having a transactional relationship with their clients. Even after the engagement ends, we pride ourselves on remaining a long-term resource for whatever our clients need, tax or otherwise.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
Taxes are one of the biggest expenses that we have and the opportunities to optimize them often get neglected. Too often, people mistake the tax reporting process as going to their CPA every year. There are other levels of tax optimization, which a tax attorney can point out and put into place.
We designed our tax optimization practice because we believe the best use of funds is with the individual or the business that has generated them. Tax savings provide for people’s quality of living, they provide for further education, and they create jobs. On the whole, there’s many exponential benefits that come with tax savings.
WE KNOW OUR STUFF
Tax laws change every year, and we stay attuned to these developments when formulating your personal tax optimization plan. By navigating the evolving landscape, we guide you on the optimal path, ensuring positive outcomes even in situations where clarity may be lacking.
IRS COMPLIANCE
The analysis, recommendations, and strategies we provide mirror the application of existing IRS regulations, revenue rulings, statutes, and laws.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
At Brotman Law, we are in your corner. Nothing makes us more content than getting you out of that tight corner. That means teaming up closely with you to understand your unique concerns. Every time you interact with us, you will get the personal attention and communication you deserve.
Our Clients Will Tell You: We Get Results.
“Through some of the most challenging and frustrating times of my life, Sam Brotman and his team were there to assure me everything would be alright.”
“With hundreds and thousand of dollars owed to the IRS, I thought there was no way I would pay it back, until I met Sam Brotman.”
“When you’re working with a law firm, you don’t know if you are going to have someone personable, but with Brotman Law, I was pleasantly surprised.”
“I really connected with my attorney, Lindsay, as she was the easiest person to work with and got us a great outcome.”
“Sahar was immensely patient in collecting information and proficient in documenting our case to the IRS, resulting in full abatement of penalties and interest.”
“We are deeply grateful for the knowledge and efforts of Sahar, Michael R. and their team at Brotman for delivering with a winning strategy.”
“Challenging the IRS alone felt like a daunting task. Once we contacted Brotman and they laid out an action plan, we started to feel hopeful.”
“Everyone at Brotman Law was professional, responsive, friendly, and I felt safe working with them. I am more than happy with how my matter was resolved.”
“I would highly recommend Brotman Law to anyone looking for a firm. They are real problem solvers.”
“Anybody I know going through tax issues, I will send to Brotman Law!”
“I had a large tax debt & was terrified, but then Brotman Law wrote my innocent spouse appeal & it was accepted!”
“Brotman Law was very transparent and kept me informed throughout my entire matter.”
“The letter they wrote and how they proposed the innocent spouse is the reason my application got accepted!”
“Sam Brotman is an aggressive, smart and ethical tax attorney.”
“Brotman Law solved my tax problem and secured the long term financial future of my business and my family.”
“I highly recommend Brotman Law to anyone who is doing battle with the IRS.”
“Sam’s team successfully closed our EDD case and got us an outcome I didn’t think was possible.”
“Brotman Law helped us reduce our potential liability by 97%!”
Tax Strategies, Case Studies, and Thought Leadership
What Is a California Sales Tax Exemption?
It is important to understand which types of business can get a partial or full sales tax exemption. Here are some examples of what to look for.
Why Do I Owe State Taxes This Year? (& Why so Much?) 2022 Guide
If you haven’t had to pay any state taxes for the past few years but now face a liability, you might be wondering, why do I owe state taxes this year?
California Exit Tax & Wealth Tax: What is it & How it Applies to You
The California Exit & Wealth Tax of 2020 is a 0.4% tax on CA resident's net worth over $30,000,000, but there are exceptions. Find out more here!
What Income Sources Are Subject to California State Tax?
Before you file your California state income taxes, read this. You might be surprised to learn what types of earnings are considered taxable.
Hundreds of $1,000,000s
Saved in Tax Penalties
100+
Appeal Victories
$1B+
Saved in Taxes
150+
Multimillion and billion-dollar corporate transactions
11+
Tax Services
400+
Clients represented in an audit
$160M+
in ERC Tax Credits
Our Thought Leadership Has Appeared In
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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Tax law can be complex, confusing, frustrating, and even scary. We’re here to help!
What is a tax optimization strategy?
A tax optimization strategy is a legal, proactive approach to structuring your finances, business entities, and transactions to minimize your overall tax burden. Unlike reactive tax preparation (filing what happened), tax optimization looks forward to identify opportunities before they pass. This includes entity selection, retirement planning, income timing, deduction maximization, and estate planning. Every strategy we recommend is grounded in the Internal Revenue Code and applicable state law.
What is the difference between tax optimization and tax evasion?
Tax optimization uses legal provisions in the tax code to reduce your liability. Tax evasion is the illegal concealment of income or falsification of records. The difference is intent and method. When we build a tax strategy for a client, every recommendation is lawful, documented, and defensible under audit. We do not participate in aggressive or questionable tax positions. Our goal is sustainable, long-term tax efficiency that withstands scrutiny.
How can Brotman Law help me optimize my taxes?
We start with a comprehensive review of your current tax situation, then identify specific opportunities to reduce your liability going forward. Whether you need entity restructuring, retirement plan optimization, real estate tax strategies, or multi-state planning, our attorneys build a customized roadmap for your financial goals. Schedule a free 15-minute call to get started.
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The Audit Process Step by Step
Here's what happens from the moment you receive an audit notice to resolution:
- Notice received — The IRS sends a letter explaining what they're examining and what documentation they need
- Power of Attorney filed — We sign Form 2848, which means the IRS talks to us, not you
- Document review — We review every document before anything goes to the IRS. We provide exactly what's needed — nothing more
- Examination — The IRS reviews your records. For office and field audits, we attend all meetings in your place
- Proposed adjustments — If the IRS wants to make changes, they issue a written proposal. We review it line by line
- Negotiation or appeal — We challenge anything we disagree with. If we can't resolve it at the exam level, we take it to appeals
- Resolution — Case closed. We make sure you understand the outcome and what it means going forward
Why You Need Professional Representation
Here's the reality: anything you say to the IRS can be used against you. Even an innocent statement can be misinterpreted, taken out of context, or used to expand the scope of your audit.
Your CPA probably filed your return. That's great. But filing a return and defending one are two completely different skills. You wouldn't send your dentist to perform heart surgery — the same logic applies.
A qualified tax attorney knows IRS procedures inside and out, understands the legal standards the IRS must meet, and knows exactly how to position your case for the best possible outcome.
Appeals & Next Steps
If you disagree with the audit results, you have the right to appeal. The IRS Office of Appeals is independent from the examination division, and they settle the majority of cases they hear.
We've won over 100 appeals by building cases that are thoroughly documented and legally sound. The key is presenting a clear, well-organized argument that makes it easier for the appeals officer to rule in your favor.
If appeals doesn't resolve it, the next step is Tax Court. We're prepared for that too, but in our experience, most cases settle well before they get to trial.
How to Prevent Future Audits
Once your audit is resolved, the last thing you want is another one. Here's what we recommend to minimize your risk:
- Keep meticulous records — especially for deductions and business expenses
- Report all income — even if you didn't receive a 1099
- File on time, every time
- Use actual calculated figures rather than round numbers — while not a major audit trigger on its own, it's a best practice that signals accuracy in your records
- Work with a qualified tax professional who understands your situation
- Consider a proactive tax strategy engagement to optimize your structure and reduce risk
Want to make sure this doesn't happen again? After resolving your audit, we can help restructure your taxes to minimize future risk. It's the other side of what we do — and it's just as important as the defense. Learn about our tax strategies →
