Finding out that you need audit services is enough to make anyone break out in a cold sweat. After all, the IRS is really checking your return to verify that you’ve properly reported your income. Of 196 million tax returns received by the IRS in 2017, one million of them were audited. That’s 0.5 percent of the returns filed. These audits resulted in more than $6 billion in additional revenue to the IRS.

First, let’s discuss who can request an audit reconsideration. They will allow one if you locate new documents that pertain to the audit. This also applies if one or more of the following pertains to you:

• You disagree with the new tax that results from the audit.
• You didn’t participate in the audit.
• The IRS report on your audit wasn't received.

Certain circumstances make a taxpayer ineligible for an audit reconsideration. There may still be some recourse, however, so discuss your reasoning with your tax adviser for further action.

For example, if you’ve already paid the entire tax debt assessed, an audit reconsideration isn’t the proper avenue to pursue a refund. In this case, an amended return must be filed instead. Additionally, if a federal tax court has ruled that you owe the tax, an audit reconsideration will not be accepted.

As a taxpayer under audit, you have rights that must be afforded to you by the auditor. The IRS acknowledges that you have a right to:

• Professional and courteous treatment by IRS employees.
• A right to privacy and confidentiality about tax matters.
• Know why the IRS is asking for information, how the IRS will use it and what will happen if the requested information is not provided.
• Representation, by oneself or an authorized representative.
• Appeal disagreements, both within the IRS and before the courts.

These are in addition to the IRS’s bill of rights in Publication 1. They include a right to:

• Be informed
• Quality service
• Pay no more than the correct amount of tax
• Challenge the IRS’s position and be heard
• Appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum
• Finality
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Retain representation
• A fair and just tax system

While the IRS allows you to represent yourself in an audit, consider hiring a tax adviser. A tax adviser speaks the same language as the IRS. For this reason, they will commonly take over all contact between the taxpayer and the IRS. This removes the chance for unwitting statements that may be misunderstood by the agent. Furthermore, these statements are often used against the taxpayer. A tax adviser can also identify which portion of the tax return has caught the IRS’s attention. As a result, the taxpayer can gather the crucial documents needed to prove the claims on the return.

Additionally, your tax adviser will handle required questionnaires and other documents that must be completed. If needed, he or she should be prepared to defend you in the audit and file an appeal. Finally, your debt should be negotiated to reflect the least amount you’re required to pay by law.

Tax Champions has been helping taxpayers who are being audited for over 35 years. If you’ve received an audit notice from the IRS, call us today. We’ll promptly take action by responding to the IRS on your behalf and constructing responses to requested questionnaires. At the completion of the audit, we’ll take the proper action to respond to the results, if needed.

At the conclusion of the audit, we’ll help you address the tax debt that results. If you don’t have the means to pay it in full, we’ll establish a resolution. This may be a payment agreement or another arrangement that will keep you out of trouble with the IRS. Our goal is to relieve the stress of an audit while giving you peace of mind. So, we'll work hard to achieve the best results that you qualify for.

Contact Tax Champions as soon as possible. You can reach us by calling toll-free at 800.518.8964 or use the blue box on the right side of this page. Once you submit your contact information to us, we’ll reach out to you. Another available option for reaching us is to use the chat box in the lower right-hand side of this page. We strive to make communication as easy on our clients as possible, so we offer several contact methods.

We’ll discuss your case in detail and explain your options in a free case review over the phone. There’s no obligation to hire our firm, and you’ll learn your options. At the end of the review, you'll have a better idea of what the resolution of your case will look like.

You have nothing to lose. Call us today and sleep better tonight.