What to do if the tax wants to audit your declaration

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The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) very rarely audits received tax returns - less than 1% are re-audited.

But if you are still in this number, then the publication LA Times collected a list of tips on how to act in this case.

Make sure you really check.

People sometimes confuse the adjustment notice from the IRS with the notification of an upcoming audit. Adjustment notices arrive when the IRS finds a mathematical error or discrepancy between your tax return and the documents attached to it, and offers instructions and additional information on how to make changes to the declaration. But this has nothing to do with revision.

In addition, do not forget about fraudsters. Legal audit notifications are received from the IRS only in writing, and not by telephone, email or social media. Therefore, if they turned to you in another way, this is most likely a fraud.

Seek help from professionals.

Licensed financial agents and tax attorneys have the right to represent you before the IRS, even if they did not participate in the preparation of your declaration. In addition, they can explain to you the course of the audit process, so that you can decide whether you can independently represent your interests.

Professional help usually costs money, but if you use special software to file a declaration, read the fine print on the website of these programs, they can guarantee free help in case of an audit. Some packages are sold or supplied with audit recommendations, which largely means that they are required to represent your interests before the IRS in case the use of the program has led to errors that need to be audited to eliminate.

In order for the tax representative to fully assist you, he will need a power of attorney giving access to your personal tax information. Make sure that the data he requests is limited to tax information and specific tax years. As a rule, a tax representative does not need access to your medical records or personal data from other areas of your life.

Check and tidy up your tax file

In most cases, the IRS conducts an audit in order to verify a part of the data indicated in the declaration, and not the entire document. The purpose of the audit will be indicated in the letter notifying the audit.

Therefore, you should keep your tax documents, including supporting receipts and receipts, for at least three years. It is during this period that audits apply in most cases. Exceptions may be made for taxpayers who are suspected of intentionally underreporting income or other types of fraud - their background checks may extend over a longer period.

Prepare to wait

Verification of the declaration, which includes the exchange of information and questions between you and the IRS, may take several months, so be prepared for the fact that this process will not be quick.

Control your emotions

Do not let feelings and emotions become part of the audit. It is better to refrain from communicating with the auditor and transfer the process to the hands of a professional. In this case, even if the auditor insists on meeting with you, your consultant will be present and support you, as well as check that you do not say anything extra.

Read also on ForumDaily:

What happens if you do not pay taxes in the United States

7 tax misunderstandings that could cost you money

Handbook for those who pay taxes in the USA

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