October 31st, 2022 in
What Do I Do If I am Audited by the IRS? If you are being audited by the IRS, it is imperative you act quickly. The IRS has the legal right to ask for verification of any information you provide to them, and when there is any doubt, an audit can lead to extensive fines. That is why one of the first things you should do is seek out the help of an experienced attorney. Our tax attorney can guide you through the entire process and help minimize any negative outcomes when possible.
If you have received a notice like this, one of the first things to do is to gather information. It is not common for the IRS to do an in-person audit, as most are done through the mail. However, no matter what method is completed, you need to be ready for any questions asked of you. A good idea is to first understand the scope of the audit, which should be outlined in the letter sent to you. If you are being audited by the IRS, you also want to ensure that you follow any procedures provided within the documentation sent to you, such as when you need to respond and what information they need (such as which types of documents or clarifications).
If you need to go to an IRS office for the audit, the process is more challenging because you will need to bring all of your documentation with you. You may have to gather specific information about your deposit accounts. The IRS is likely to ask about your job and family. They may also request information that documents the entire year’s activities. This can be overwhelming, which is why we nearly always recommend that you do not handle these on your own. Our legal team at Steburg Law Office can handle the entire process with you, helping to ensure you don’t find yourself without the information requested.
Do I Need an Attorney If I’m Being Audited by the IRS?
Legally, you do not need to have an attorney. However, tax law is very challenging, and even if you think that your situation is straightforward, it may not be. We recommend at least meeting with an attorney to determine what could be the concern if you are unsure if you want to hire one to help with the actual audit. Provide the letter to our tax attorney, and we will work with you to provide as much information as possible.
Hiring an attorney affords you several benefits. First, you can avoid any mistakes, such as in what you tell the IRS or what you leave out, which could lead to further penalties. Second, your attorney is working for you, which means they will advocate for the best possible outcome in your situation. Because they know tax law well and understand the legal options you may have for settling matters with the IRS, an attorney is a powerful ally to have by your side in these situations.
With a tax attorney, you have an experienced professional by your side that can help to negotiate on your behalf during the audit itself. That may become necessary, especially if you find that the information provided is not accurate, but you cannot prove that. You may also wish to use an attorney’s experience to your benefit in that you can defend yourself against any subsequent litigation that comes from the audit.
Meeting with your tax attorney in itself can be helpful, long before the actual audit meeting. Your attorney can provide you with an explanation of what’s occurring and potentially why. Then, your attorney can provide you with clear and frank advice on what your next steps are. Having the ability to defend yourself in these situations is critical, and it is not something that you may wish to be without, especially in a face-to-face audit.
How the Steburg Law Firm, P.C. Will Help
Our legal team at Steburg Law Firm can help you through this process. Set up a consultation with us with your audit information. We can provide you with some guidance on what to expect going forward, often outlining what your expectations can be. We will then work to defend you during the audit, allowing us to support you throughout this legal process.
Now is the time to act. The sooner you do, the more time there is for your legal team to work to support your best outcome. Contact Steburg Law Firm today to start the process. We are here to support your best outcome in these often difficult situations.
