Tax law that actually explains itself.
Not every tax situation has a clean answer. Clarity Tax Counsel is a diagnostic-first practice for the individuals and businesses still looking for one.
What Clarity does differently
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Diagnosis first
You don't get billed for figuring out if we can help. The diagnostic is the first product, not a free sales call.
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Flat fees
You know what it costs before you sign anything. No hourly surprises, no mystery invoices.
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Gray area fluency
The IRS doesn't have clean rules for your industry. We've built a practice around knowing exactly where the lines are.
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Direct IRS access
We work inside IRS systems — e-Services, CAF, transcripts — not around them. That's where problems actually get resolved.
Who we work with
Common issues include
How we work together.
Three ways to engage. Not sure which fits? The diagnostic walks you through it in five short questions.
Services
A focused, flat-fee session to understand your tax exposure — what the IRS is likely looking at, where the risk is, and what your options are. You leave with a written summary, not a vague memo and an open invoice.
- Review of your facts and relevant documents
- Written exposure summary and risk assessment
- IRS approach for your specific industry and issue
- Clear written recommendation on next steps
Best for: new issues, unfiled returns, compliance questions, second opinions, and anyone who wants to understand what they're dealing with before committing to anything.
Diagnostic fee is credited toward Clarity Access or Clarity Representation if you engage within 60 days.
A flat monthly retainer for clients with recurring tax questions or ongoing compliance needs. You get direct access to work through issues as they come up — without starting the meter every time you have a question.
- Direct email and call access for tax questions
- IRS notice review and response guidance
- Ongoing compliance and planning advisory
- Document and transcript review
- Coordination with your CPA or bookkeeper
Best for: operators in high-scrutiny industries with recurring questions, or clients who want a tax attorney engaged year-round rather than issue-by-issue.
Active representation before the IRS or a state tax authority. Scoped and priced per matter — audits, examinations, appeals, collections, and penalty proceedings — so you know what it costs before we start.
- Power of attorney and direct IRS interface
- Audit and examination defense
- Appeals, Collections (CDP, OIC, installment agreements)
- Penalty abatement requests and response drafting
- State tax controversy and administrative proceedings
Best for: active IRS or state tax matters where you need someone representing you directly — not just advising you on what to say.
About
Josh
Hamlet
Founder · Clarity Tax Counsel PLLC
- Tax LL.M., NYU School of Law
- J.D., Brooklyn Law School
- B.A., Business & Psychology, University of Rochester
- Featured in Bloomberg Tax
- Featured in Tax Notes
- Best Lawyers 2026 One to Watch
I spent five years at an AmLaw 100 firm doing federal and state tax controversy across a wide range of industries and sectors: tech companies, fintech, the digital economy, content creators and influencers, nonprofits, cannabis, and more.
Clarity exists because the billing model at most firms is structurally incompatible with actually helping people. When the meter is running, thoroughness gets expensive. When you're on a flat fee, clarity is the product.
I built this practice around industries the IRS watches closely and most attorneys avoid — because those clients need someone who isn't guessing. I know these playbooks. I know where the IRS looks first and how to respond when they find something.
If you've been getting answers that aren't really answers — or haven't been able to get answers at all — that's the problem I'm here to fix.
Which service is right for me?