Most people prepare their return using tax software that asks general questions to get to the fastest and simplest result.  Little planning or long-term strategy is used in preparing such a return.  Through no fault of their own, taxpayers often find that a return generated using such software resulted in income being wrongly excluded or reported in the wrong place, expenses that are reported incorrectly, or credits and deductions being missed completely.  Because of the complexity of the Internal Revenue Code, even professionals sometimes make mistakes in preparing a return.  That is even more true today than ever before as it seems that Congress passes last minute changes as a matter of routine.  Regardless of the reason that you may find yourself under audit, it is useful to have assistance to ensure the best possible outcome.

 

The IRS most often conducts two types of audit. 

 

1. The most common audit is a correspondence examination.  In a correspondence audit, the IRS will send a letter to you requesting certain information.  Often these types of audits are triggered when you fail to claim income that was reported or multiple people claim the same dependent.   The very first letter that you receive will often simply propose an increase in tax and state that you have the right to dispute the changes if you wish.  While lodging a dispute may sound simple, it often requires substantial time and submission of numerous records. 

2. The more invasive and burdensome type of audit is the field audit.  In a field audit, an IRS agent will perform a face-to-face interview in which they will review your prior tax return in detail and propose changes if you cannot substantiate every item specified on your return.  In addition to the original face-to-face meeting, there are usually numerous telephone conversations and a follow-up meeting to discuss the final resolution.  Field audits often uncover issues in a single return that leads the IRS to broaden the audit to over a period of three- or six-years’ worth of returns.  The field audit is a time-consuming experience and daunting to those who have never experienced it.

 

If you are being audited, don’t face the IRS on your own.  We can help.  Even if your audit has already occurred, you may be able to recover from an adverse outcome.  If you disagree with the changes to your return made during your audit, we can request audit reconsideration.   If the IRS determined that you owe additional taxes, denied you a credit or withheld your refund, it may still be possible to appeal the auditor’s determination if you act quickly.  If you have information that the IRS did not consider during the audit, either because you could not find it at the time or because you just couldn’t get it to them in time, audit reconsideration is possible.  For more information, please contact us.

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