IRS Tax Audit Attorney — How to Respond to an Audit, Appeal and Resolve Tax Debt

An IRS audit letter is stressful. However, most audits are manageable with organized records and a clear response. An IRS tax audit attorney helps you respond correctly, protect your rights and limit what you owe.

Not every IRS letter is an audit. Many are simple notices about mismatched income. Others question specific items. Therefore, the first step is understanding exactly what the IRS is asking.

This guide explains audit types, how to respond, appeal rights and options if you owe more than you can pay.

Types of IRS audits

There are three main types. First, correspondence audits are handled by mail and usually concern a few items. Second, office audits require meeting an IRS employee at a local office. Third, field audits take place at your home or business and are usually broader.

Importantly, the IRS generally has three years from filing to assess additional tax. However, the period extends to six years if income was substantially understated, and there is no limit for fraud. Consequently, keep records at least that long.

An IRS notice review explains your letter and the deadline.

Responding to an audit

First, read the notice carefully and note the deadline. Next, gather the records that support the items under review. Then respond with organized, relevant documents. Avoid sending more than requested.

In addition, you can authorize a representative to deal with the IRS. Our IRS power of attorney (Form 2848) service prepares that form. As a result, you may not need to meet the auditor yourself.

Know your rights

For instance, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights includes the right to professional representation and the right to challenge the IRS's position. Moreover, you can ask questions about the audit's scope.

Appeals

If you disagree with the audit results, however, you can usually request review by the IRS Independent Office of Appeals. Moreover, appeals officers consider litigation risk and can settle cases.

If you receive a notice of deficiency, you generally have 90 days to petition the U.S. Tax Court, or 150 days if the notice is addressed outside the country. Missing that deadline limits your options. Therefore, track it carefully. A tax audit consultation reviews your best path.

If you owe more than you can pay

Fortunately, several options exist. For example, an installment agreement spreads payments over time. An offer in compromise settles for less than the full amount when you cannot pay in full.

Similarly, penalties can sometimes be removed. For example, first-time penalty abatement or reasonable cause may apply. Our penalty abatement request service prepares the request. Businesses facing audits can book a business tax consultation.

Our IRS Tax Audits services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

IRS Tax Audits services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

IRS Tax Audits help in California

We prepare irs tax audits documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Los Angeles, Tax-audit consultation in San Diego, Tax-audit consultation in San Francisco. Similarly, see IRS notice review in California.

IRS Tax Audits help in Texas

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Houston, Tax-audit consultation in Dallas, Tax-audit consultation in San Antonio, Tax-audit consultation in Austin. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Texas.

IRS Tax Audits help in Florida

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Miami, Tax-audit consultation in Orlando, Tax-audit consultation in Tampa. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Florida.

IRS Tax Audits help in New York

We prepare irs tax audits documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in New York City, Tax-audit consultation in Brooklyn. Similarly, see IRS notice review in New York.

IRS Tax Audits help in Illinois

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Chicago. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Illinois.

IRS Tax Audits help in Georgia

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Atlanta. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Georgia.

IRS Tax Audits help in Arizona

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Phoenix. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Arizona.

IRS Tax Audits help in Pennsylvania

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Philadelphia. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Pennsylvania.

IRS Tax Audits help in Washington

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Seattle. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Washington.

IRS Tax Audits help in Colorado

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Denver. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Colorado.

IRS Tax Audits help in Massachusetts

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Boston. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Massachusetts.

IRS Tax Audits help in Nevada

We prepare irs tax audits documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Las Vegas. Similarly, see IRS notice review in Nevada.

IRS Tax Audits help in New Jersey

We prepare irs tax audits documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Newark. Similarly, see IRS notice review in New Jersey.

IRS Tax Audits help in North Carolina

We prepare irs tax audits documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Tax-audit consultation in Charlotte. Similarly, see IRS notice review in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

Tax-audit consultation in every state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Frequently asked questions

Contact American Counsel

Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.