Audits & Exams

Have you received a letter from the IRS (or state) and are unsure what to do? The notice may require a simple response, or it might be a complicated issue. In either case, if you respond incorrectly or incompletely, it may waste your time and add to your stress. An incorrect response might even cost you money. We can interpret what the IRS is asking so that you can answer appropriately and decisively.

You might receive an IRS or state tax letter for any of several reasons. It doesn’t necessarily mean you did anything bad.

• The IRS discovered a discrepancy on your tax return and needs an explanation or more information.

• The amount they have calculated you owe is more (or less) than what you paid.

• Your return was selected for an audit.

• You missed a deadline for paying taxes that you owe or for filing your tax return.

• You didn’t respond to a previous letter in a timely fashion.

Please remember: The IRS will never send you an email or text message for any of these situations. They also will not demand immediate payment or insist on being paid in cash or gift cards. You will always get a physical letter in the mail if it’s legitimate. Anything else is a scam.

If the question is about a discrepancy or a balance due, the response is likely to be straightforward. However, it’s always a good idea to get a tax professional to review or develop any response you need to send to the IRS.

If you’re being audited, on the other hand, you’ll need to thoroughly prepare. An audit can be nerve-wracking. An experienced tax professional can help you organize your records and guide you as to what you should – and should not – provide. An ill-advised response can unnecessarily open you up to additional scrutiny. Your tax professional can even handle the audit on your behalf, relieving you from having to participate.

How can an experienced tax representative help you? We’ve represented taxpayers with audits before the IRS, and we can help you, too. We can:

• Respond professionally and appropriately to IRS and state correspondence.

• Contact the IRS or state on your behalf so that you don’t have to face them directly

• Represent your case before the auditor

• Fight for you on issues that come up, such as positions taken on tax returns

• Escalate your issue to higher authorities if the proposed outcome feels unfair or extreme