Law Offices of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini, P.A. - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Authoritative Florida State Tax Defense in Fort Lauderdale

State and local taxation in Florida involves aggressive auditing, complex exemptions, and strict liability standards that can threaten commercial survival. Headquartered at 100 West Cypress Creek Road in Fort Lauderdale, the Law Offices of Moffa, Sutton, and Donnini, P.A. stands as Florida's preeminent law firm dedicated to state tax controversy. Founded in 1991 by CPA and attorney Joseph C. Moffa, the firm combines over a century of cumulative CPA and courtroom experience. Composed of former Big Four tax managers, CPAs, and litigators, the team brings dual financial and legal mastery to every dispute. Unlike out-of-state referral agencies, this Florida-rooted firm knows state tax codes intimately. When corporate executives need a tax attorney to challenge an audit or defend against criminal tax allegations, the firm delivers authoritative defense before the Florida Department of Revenue and state courts.

Comprehensive Florida Sales Tax and Controversy Services

Contesting state tax assessments requires forensic accounting precision matched with courtroom trial skill. The firm defends taxpayers from the initial audit notice through administrative hearings, appellate litigation, and settlement negotiations.

Florida Sales and Use Tax Audit Defense

When the Florida Department of Revenue issues Form DR-840 initiating a sales tax audit, immediate legal intervention is critical. Auditors frequently utilize flawed sampling methods and estimate gross receipts arbitrarily, resulting in staggering proposed assessments. The firm's attorney-CPA team steps in from day one, supervising auditor communications, reviewing transactional ledgers with an auditor's eye, challenging erroneous sample projections, and establishing valid statutory exemptions for resale, manufacturing, and commercial real property transactions.

Criminal Defense for Sales Tax and DOR Investigations

In Florida, collecting sales tax and failing to remit it can be prosecuted as a first-degree felony carrying severe prison terms. When Department of Revenue investigators contact a business, having skilled counsel is critical. The firm aggressively defends business owners under criminal tax investigation, working to halt charges, resolve underlying liabilities, and structure repayment plans before arrest warrants or formal indictments are issued.

Florida Voluntary Disclosure and Nexus Consulting

For out-of-state e-commerce sellers, remote retailers, or Florida companies that discovered uncollected sales taxes, coming forward voluntarily offers significant protections. The firm negotiates anonymous voluntary disclosure agreements with the state, limiting lookback periods to three years and eliminating severe statutory penalties for taxpayers before the Department of Revenue initiates an audit.

Administrative Protests and Tax Court Litigation

If an audit concludes with an improper Notice of Proposed Assessment, the firm files formal administrative protests under Florida Administrative Code Chapter 12-6. The attorneys litigate unresolved tax controversies before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), the Circuit Courts of Florida, the Florida District Courts of Appeal, and the United States Tax Court, defending taxpayer rights with trial-tested authority.

Specialized Industry Tax Defense

Florida tax rules vary widely across industries. The firm routinely resolves high-exposure audits in automotive dealerships, construction contracting, commercial leasing, convenience stores, and hospitality, crafting tailored statutory defenses.

Why Florida Companies Choose Moffa, Sutton, and Donnini

Business owners across Florida retain the Law Offices of Moffa, Sutton, and Donnini, P.A. for unmatched institutional advantages:

• Combined Attorney-CPA Caliber: The firm's partners hold CPA licenses and Big Four accounting credentials, analyzing financial records with forensic precision.
• Over Three Decades of Dedication: Exclusively defending taxpayers against the Florida Department of Revenue since 1991, the firm possesses unique insight into state audit tactics.
• Statewide Office Presence: With offices in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Tallahassee, the firm maintains direct access to state revenue headquarters and administrative judges.
• Free Initial Case Review: The firm offers a complimentary initial consultation to review audit notices or tax warrants and outline a strategic defense plan.

Contact Florida's Leading Tax Defense Lawyers Today

If your company is under audit, facing a tax warrant, or requires an experienced tax attorney in Fort Lauderdale, contact the Law Offices of Moffa, Sutton, and Donnini, P.A. today for your free, confidential consultation.