IRS Audit Defense: Don't Face an Examiner Alone
Getting an audit notice from the IRS feels like getting pulled over by a cop when you know you were speeding. Your heart drops. But here's what I tell every client: an audit is not a conviction. It's a question. And how you answer that question determines everything.
What an IRS Audit Actually Is
An audit is the IRS reviewing your return to verify that income, deductions, and credits are accurate. Sometimes it's a simple letter asking for documentation. Sometimes it's a full examination with an in-person meeting. Either way, what you say and what you provide matters enormously.
Why You Need Representation
The IRS examiner's job is to find additional tax owed. That's their metric. They're not looking out for you. I've handled hundreds of audits over 32 years. I know what to provide, what not to volunteer, and how to frame your position so the examiner sees your side.
Types of Audits
Correspondence audits are handled by mail. Office audits require you to bring records to an IRS office. Field audits mean an agent comes to your home or business. The stakes increase with each type, and so does the need for professional representation.
After the Audit
If the IRS proposes changes you disagree with, you have rights. You can appeal. You can go to Tax Court. Most people don't know this. They just pay whatever the IRS says they owe. That's a mistake. I fight audit results that aren't fair.