Alaska tax laws have unique provisions arising from the state's wealth of natural resources. Businesses and individuals alike benefit from knowledgeable and experienced professional legal resources who take advantage of AK tax laws for their clients. Because of Alaska's sprawl and size, it is especially important to find information and firms via Internet sources.

Despite Alaska's vastness, its population is relatively small. Therefore, successful tax attorneys in AK stay connected to a network of key decision makers in the judiciary, the business world and the community at large. Keep these considerations in mind as you evaluate and then select an Alaska state tax law expert that is right for you:

1. Access to free information online or through initial consultation

2. Breadth and history of tax law staff experience in Alaska

3. Recognition by peers on both the state and national levels

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult free online information clearinghouses on tax law in Alaska

Survey resources that give either general or particular information on tax laws in AK. Look for educational summaries ranging from tax law history in Alaska to example cases from Alaska tax attorneys.

I recommend: Users who establish an account with Online Tax Information System (OTIS) get "fast, easy, and free" information directly from the Alaska Department of Revenue. AlaskaLawHelp.org gives visitors more than a dozen free resource portals to self-help information on tax law in Alaska.

Assess the credentials of Alaska tax law information professionals

Alaska tax law legal professionals face particular and unique regulations because of the state's oil reserves, the needs of native populations and geographical challenges. Accordingly, Alaska taxes business in ways that may differ from other states. Consequently, whether you are a business entity or an individual, you'll need to evaluate the qualifications of Alaska tax lawyers carefully.

I recommend: The law firm of Atkinson Conway & Gagnon has attorney staff experience reaching to 1983 on Alaska taxes, especially business-related. Bankston Gronning O'Hara features staff among the top-tier of Alaska tax law legal professionals on its staff.

Hire experienced experts on Alaska tax law resources

Look for firms who have 'rainmakers' on staff, individuals who make a difference in the legal community. Browsing biographical profiles provides a good clue of the cases and success ratio of top-notch tax law attorneys in Alaska.

I recommend: Faulkner Banfield dates to Alaska's days as a territory and is a firm that understands tax law history in Alaska. The firm's Alaska tax law practice covers income, oil and gas and fisheries tax issues and represents clients before the Alaska Department of Revenue. Since its 1939 founding, Hughes Pfiffner Gorski Seedorf & Odsen delivers comprehensive legal services, including advice on AK tax laws that also touches on estate planning, business transactions and real estate issue.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Test drive the appropriateness of two or three candidate Alaska state tax law firms by e-mailing a firm lawyer in your practice area. Gauge the firm's reliability and professionalism by the timeliness and serious of responses.