IRS Audit: Your Answer Matters More Than Your Receipts
An IRS audit isn't a conviction. It's a conversation. But it's a conversation where the other side has subpoena power and you're under oath. What you say, what you provide, and what you don't volunteer can mean the difference between owing nothing and owing everything.
Why Representation Changes Outcomes
The IRS examiner's job is to find money. Your job is to protect yourself. Those two goals don't align. I've handled hundreds of audits. I know what to produce, how to frame deductions, and when to push back on an examiner who's overreaching.
Types of IRS Audits
Correspondence audits are the simplest — the IRS mails you questions. Office audits require a visit to an IRS office. Field audits mean an agent comes to you. Each type escalates in seriousness and each requires different handling.
Common Audit Triggers
High deductions relative to income. Cash-heavy businesses. Large charitable contributions. Home office deductions. Unreported 1099 income. If any of these triggered your audit, I've seen it before and I know how to defend it.
Your Rights After an Audit
If the IRS proposes additional tax, you don't have to accept it. You can appeal. You can petition Tax Court. Most taxpayers just pay because they don't know they have options. That's expensive ignorance.