Tax Audit Help: What To Do If You Get Audited

It can be frightening to receive a letter from the IRS saying that you’re being audited. That’s when you need to look for tax audit help to calm you down.

Getting that letter from the IRS doesn’t always mean that you’re in trouble. Once you’ve gotten over the shock of being audited, you should follow this advice to help speed up the process and make it less stressful.

There’s a lot that you’ll need to prepare, both mentally and physically. And, you should know the type of audit you’ll go through, as it may make a difference in what and how you need to prepare.

Here’s some advice to follow to make the process easier in case you get audited

1. Schedule Your Audit

This is only for field and office audits, as the IRS will provide you with a deadline for a correspondence audit. You will be given a time frame of a few weeks to schedule your audit, but you may be able to postpone it if necessary.

If you need to postpone your appointment, contact the auditor listed on the letter the IRS sent and provide your reason for needing it. Remember to always be polite.

If you have all of your documents ready, get the audit over with as quickly as possible. The sooner you deal with it, the better.

2. Prepare Your Documents

You should be prepared for this every year when filling out your taxes. Keep all your records in a file for each year. This should include information on payroll, investments, and deductions.

If you’re unsure about what you need or how to obtain certain information, you can request tax audit help from a professional agency.

Here’s what you should have on hand:

• W-2s
• 1099s
• Bank and investment statements
• Proof of income
• Bills, receipts, or other proof of expenses

You should keep these documents somewhere safe but easily accessible. The IRS may ask for up to six years of documentation.

3. Know Your Rights

While the IRS has a lot of power in this situation, you still have rights. The IRS even has a Taxpayer Bill of Rights posted on its website.

You have the right to be informed about what to do in order to comply with the tax code. This includes clear explanations of the laws and tax forms.

You also have the right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum. You may even be able to take your appeal to court.

Get the Tax Audit Help You Need

When in doubt, contact a professional who understands taxes. They will be able to help guide you through the process of an audit in detail. It’s the best way to survive an audit.

The best way to avoid an audit is to keep careful records and complete your taxes honestly. You can find out more about taxes with us here.