Who doesn’t feel at least a moment of panic when they get an IRS audit notice? How can the taxpayer prepare for an audit on their own? What types of proof and information will they need? An IRS audit attorney can help the taxpayer properly prepare for the audit and get a better result for the taxpayer than they would get on their own. Because the IRS has so much power and can cause the taxpayer so much trouble, it is imperative to have legal assistance in dealing with an IRS Audit if it involves fraud charges or large amounts of money.
Why Hire An IRS Audit Lawyer?
Whether or not a person needs an IRS audit lawyer depends, in part, on what amounts of money are involved and if the IRS is alleging tax fraud or tax evasion. If the amount of money being questioned is small and no wrong doing is being alleged, the taxpayer may do okay on their own. This is especially the case if the taxpayer prepared their own taxes and did not try to evade taxes or give fraudulent information.
If, on the other hand, the taxpayer grossly underpaid taxes or is charged with evading taxes or tax fraud that could land them in jail or lead to paying huge fines, it is wise to retain a tax audit lawyer with the expertise to help the taxpayer get a good result. Before the audit date, the lawyer will go over all the tax materials and backup evidence to prepare a defense for the client. If there was wrongdoing involved, the lawyer will mount a defense to reach a settlement their client can live with.
The tax lawyer can outline the taxpayer’s rights and obligations in an understandable form. Then, they can prepare their client for probable outcomes and mount the best defense possible. Even if an IRS audit has been determined against the taxpayer, a good lawyer can get it reopened under certain circumstances such as an contested case that is less than 90 days old or has not passed the time allowed for the taxpayer to file a petition with the tax court.
Sometimes, the problem is that the IRS keeps auditing a person over and over, and the taxpayer wants relief. The IRS has a policy on repetitive examinations that most people don’t know about. If the client meets the requirements for the repetitive examination policy, an tax attorney can get them immediate relief. The IRS is not supposed to reopen closed cases but, if they try, a tax lawyer can ensure that the IRS is following its own procedures and regulations.
The nation’s tax laws are long and convoluted, making it hard for the average person to understand them and defend themselves against the IRS. Tax lawyers have spent years becoming educated as lawyers and studying tax law so they can help. For more information, refer to the website.