English
Español
There are several reasons why the IRS might choose to audit you, from random selection to an actual problem related to specific activity (e.g. financial activity that doesn’t match up to what you reported on your return). Regardless of the reason, facing an IRS tax audit can be daunting. If you have received a notice from the IRS that your tax returns are being audited, the first thing to do is contact an experienced tax attorney who can help to guide you through the process. At Weisberg Kainen Mark, we help our clients at every stage of their audit. If you have received an audit notice, or are just worried about the potential of receiving one, we can help. In the meantime, let’s discuss three types of tax audits and what you can expect from each one.
1. Correspondence Audits
In a correspondence audit, the IRS is looking for more information about part of your tax return, usually in the form of 1099s or other income that has been reported to the IRS by third parties but is not showing up on your tax return. This is the simplest type of audit and, as its name suggests, can generally be handled by correspondence in the mail.
The taxpayer can generally handle this one on their own. It’s usually only if something isn’t matching up that the taxpayer will need to call in a professional to assist them in a correspondence audit. If this is the case with you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. The sooner we get the issue sorted out, the better it will be.
2. Office Audits
In an office audit, the IRS requires the taxpayer to bring in any requested documents to their local IRS office. In general, the office audit is more in-depth than the correspondence audit and more issues can arise as a result of the fact that it’s a more thorough audit.
Although most of the time these are completed in one day during your time at the field office, the agent can request additional information. If this happens, you will be provided more time to gather any additional documentation. For an office audit, it’s a good idea to consult with a tax professional to help you gather documents and assist during your visit.
3. Field Audits
Field audits are more substantial than both correspondence and office audits. In a field audit, an IRS agent will come to you either at home or at your place of business and conduct the audit in person. In field audits, the agents aren’t limited to a list of things they’ve previously received from you and may ask to check out any number of other items and documents during the audit. Like an office audit, having professional representation is important during a field audit.
Regardless of which type of audit you’re facing, it’s imperative that you speak with an experienced tax professional to help you every step of the way to avoid any future issues with the IRS. At Weisberg Kainen Mark, we regularly help clients with all issues associated with IRS audits and know what to do to make the process as easy as possible. If you’re facing an IRS audit, contact us today and let us help you!
Weisberg Kainen Mark, PL
Latest posts by Weisberg Kainen Mark, PL (see all)
- The Tax Implications of Securities Fraud - April 15, 2024
