Audit Worries Shouldn’t Keep Taxpayers from Taking Valid Tax Breaks
by John Gibson, District Manager, H&R Block
The federal government estimates it has a $450 billion tax gap (the amount the IRS estimates is missed in tax collections). One way the government tries to close that gap is through IRS audits of those suspected of having underpaid.
In 2011, 7.4 percent of taxpayers were contacted by the IRS about their returns, and the IRS collected $15 billion from audits.H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) advises that even with an atmosphere that includes more people being audited, taxpayers shouldn’t be afraid to claim all the tax breaks to which they are entitled.
Who is being audited and why?
The profile of a potential audit candidate has shifted from the rich to include people who make far more modest incomes. Of the more than 1.5 million audits conducted in 2011, 2 in 3 were of people who made $50,000 or less. Following are some common reasons the IRS contacts taxpayers:
What should a taxpayer do when contacted by the IRS?
While tax season is January through mid-April, audits are conducted year round. The IRS may contact a taxpayer as late as three years from the filing date. However, contact may be very soon after the return is filed if an item is flagged for some reason.
Taxpayers who get an audit notice in the mail should contact their tax professional immediately as delays could result in additional penalties and fees. Most audits are correspondence audits conducted via mail; resolving the matter may be as simple as sending supporting documentation to the IRS. In any case, it is important to respond to the notice promptly. If a face-to-face meeting is required, some taxpayers may elect to have their representative attend without them. In the end, if the taxpayer disagrees with the auditor’s findings, the results of the audit may be appealed. membership, opportunities, small business, blog, business resources, content marketing,networking
by John Gibson, District Manager, H&R Block
The federal government estimates it has a $450 billion tax gap (the amount the IRS estimates is missed in tax collections). One way the government tries to close that gap is through IRS audits of those suspected of having underpaid.
In 2011, 7.4 percent of taxpayers were contacted by the IRS about their returns, and the IRS collected $15 billion from audits.H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) advises that even with an atmosphere that includes more people being audited, taxpayers shouldn’t be afraid to claim all the tax breaks to which they are entitled.
Who is being audited and why?
The profile of a potential audit candidate has shifted from the rich to include people who make far more modest incomes. Of the more than 1.5 million audits conducted in 2011, 2 in 3 were of people who made $50,000 or less. Following are some common reasons the IRS contacts taxpayers:
- Unreported income, inconsistencies – the surest way to get a letter from the IRS is to not report all income
- A document-matching program makes it easy for the IRS to check income reported on tax returns against what is reported by employers, banks, brokers, etc.
- The IRS also compares deductions taken by taxpayers in the same income bracket to find inconsistencies in areas including mileage and charitable donations
- Claims for expenses not allowable and a majority of cash business self-reported transactions on the Schedule C
- Eligible expenses can include advertising, insurance, legal services, vehicle expenses, employee wages and taxes, home office expenses and depreciation.
What should a taxpayer do when contacted by the IRS?
While tax season is January through mid-April, audits are conducted year round. The IRS may contact a taxpayer as late as three years from the filing date. However, contact may be very soon after the return is filed if an item is flagged for some reason.
Taxpayers who get an audit notice in the mail should contact their tax professional immediately as delays could result in additional penalties and fees. Most audits are correspondence audits conducted via mail; resolving the matter may be as simple as sending supporting documentation to the IRS. In any case, it is important to respond to the notice promptly. If a face-to-face meeting is required, some taxpayers may elect to have their representative attend without them. In the end, if the taxpayer disagrees with the auditor’s findings, the results of the audit may be appealed. membership, opportunities, small business, blog, business resources, content marketing,networking
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