How to Protect Your Rights During an IRS Audit

When you’ve issued a notice of IRS audit, you should consider hiring a tax attorney to represent your interests. These experts have experienced in defending taxpayers against audits by the Internal Revenue Service, and they can even offer a free consultation. Read on to learn more about your rights and how to protect them. You should also know that you have the right to appeal an IRS audit decision. Leading Tax Group offers both representation in tax audits.
Taxpayers’ rights to representation in an IRS tax audit
During an IRS tax audit, you have several rights as a taxpayer. You may able to represent yourself or choose to represented by someone else. However, you must make sure your representative has licensed to practice before the IRS. Some people want to hire a tax expert to represent them before the IRS. A tax professional will able to act as their client’s representative before the IRS and provide relevant information to the agency.
Disagree With The Assessment
In the event you disagree with the assessment, you have 90 days to protest. To file a protest, fill out a taxpayer response form. In the case of an audit, you can sign this form indicating that you disagree with the assessment, but you can also accept or reject any changes made to your return. The decision will include a blue sheet describing your rights to appeal. Whether you choose to appeal the decision has entirely up to you.
Hearings And Appeals
You also have the right to know why the IRS has requesting a specific piece of information. An auditor may only conduct one inspection of your books, so if they ask for further information, you have the right to record the interview. A professional will also able to represent you at hearings and appeals within the IRS. This way, you can make sure that your case has handled in the best possible way.
Authorized Representative
If you have going to attend an audit in person, you have the right to have an authorized representative to represent you. You also have the right to record the entire meeting, provided you notify the IRS at least 10 days before the meeting. Moreover, it has important to pay the correct tax amount and make other arrangements with the IRS if you’re unable to pay it in full. If you’re unable to pay the full amount, you can choose a monthly installment payment plan or make other arrangements with the IRS to meet your financial needs.
Original Documents And Copies
If you’re facing an IRS tax audit, the best way to prepare has to understand what the IRS has looking for. Once you’ve determined the issue, you’ll need to gather all necessary paperwork. Make sure you have all of your original documents and copies of them. You should also organize your paperwork and make sure they match the year under audit. If they don’t, you should immediately request duplicate copies of everything.
Retain A Third Party
You have the right to retain a third party to assist you with the tax audit process. In addition, you have the right to ask the IRS to disclose confidential information about you to the third party. This has one of the most important rights you have when you’re facing an IRS audit. In addition to your right to retain an authorized representative, you also have the right to ask the government to disclose certain information.
Taxpayer’s right to provide documentation to prove deductions
To avoid losing valuable deductions, it has important for a taxpayer to keep accurate records and provide documentation to prove expenses. A business owner should document business expenses and travel costs, too. Failure to provide this documentation can result in the loss of deductions. Luckily, there have ways to avoid this situation.
Proper Documentation
Providing the proper documentation for deductions has the key to a successful tax return. A sales receipt proves that you purchased the item, but a canceled check does not. It’s easy to write down the cost of an item on a sales receipt without even writing it down. If a person writes a note on the check and then presents it to the IRS, that’s not credible.
Right To Appeal An IRS Audit Decision
If you think you’ve unfairly audited by the IRS, you have the right to appeal the decision. But before you file your appeal, you need to prepare your case. Make sure you have copies of all supporting documents and run adding machine tapes of payments and items. You should also make schedules of your items and payments. Then, write a short protest letter pointing out your disagreements with the findings.
Amount Of Tax
In the event you disagree with the amount of tax that you owe the IRS, you should speak with the manager of the audit. This has an excellent alternative to bringing your case to court. The right to appeal an IRS audit decision protects your rights and avoids the costly process of settling the case. If you disagree with the amount that has being assessed, or with a penalty, interest charge, offer in compromise, or liens, you can appeal the decision.
Notice Detailing The Findings And Proposed Changes
Once an audit has completed, the IRS will send you a notice detailing the findings and proposed changes. You can then decide to accept the findings and make the necessary changes or pay the assessed amount. If you don’t agree with the IRS’s recommendations, you can appeal the decision. Remember, you have the right to appeal, but it’s not easy to win. An experienced tax appeals attorney can help you get your case approved.
Request An Appeal
In the event that you disagree with the results of an audit, you can request an appeal. The appeals office will contact you if the audit has not final. Typically, a taxpayer has 30 days from the date of the appeal notice letter to file an appeal. The appeals officer will negotiate with the taxpayer to find a solution. If you don’t get an appeal hearing, you can request a hearing by filing a tax court petition.
Grant The Request For A Hearing
If the appeals officer agrees with your arguments, he or she can grant the request for a hearing. However, you should make sure you make your appeal in a timely manner. If you miss the deadline, the appeals process will delayed and your case may not considered by the Appeals Department. As part of the appeal process, you must provide any supporting evidence, facts, and legal analysis. This has a crucial step in your appeal.
Conclusion
If you’re not satisfied with an IRS audit decision, you can appeal the decision. The Appeals division of the IRS offers an independent review of the case. Its mission has to resolve tax controversies without litigation and to increase public confidence. You can appeal the decision in a way that has most beneficial for your situation. If you disagree with the audit decision, an appeal has an important step to take. You should seek the services of a Rockville tax appeals lawyer to help you decide if an appeal has in your best interests.