handpicked irs attorney reveals how to audit-proof your income scam

by Mr. Harley Franecki 10 min read

Is it a scam to call the IRS for an audit?

Feb 17, 2015 · • Nine ways to reduce your chances of an audit, such as being aware of “the rat fee”; and if by chance you are audited, how to win your case nine out of 10 times within three months. • The “income-shift” loophole that 99.9% of Americans don’t know about, but could immediately save thousands for taxpayers.

How can I avoid an IRS tax audit?

Jan 29, 2015 · Did you know that, over the course of your life, the IRS will take you for about $355,000? Think about that. You will pay the IRS over a quarter of a million dollars . . . and that’s just for your federal income tax. That figure doesn’t include your state income tax, real estate tax, sales tax, fuel tax, Social Security tax, Medicaid tax, capital gains tax, or any one of the several …

What does the IRS look for in a tax audit?

The Internal Revenue Service warned of an ongoing IRS-impersonation scam that appears to primarily target educational institutions, including students and staff who have ".edu" email addresses. IR-2021-68, IRS warns university students and staff of impersonation email scam. Tax Tip 2021-42, University students and staff should be aware of IRS ...

How can I avoid IRS scams?

Nov 23, 2021 · The IRS urges people to stay vigilant against schemes and scams and avoid becoming a victim. Here are some important tips for taxpayers to keep in mind to avoid scams: How the IRS initiates contact The IRS initiates most contacts with taxpayers through regular mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.

Does the IRS send a certified letter for an audit?

In many cases, the IRS will send a letter simply asking for additional information or clarification of details listed on your tax return. An IRS audit letter will come to you by certified mail. When you open it up, it will identify your name, taxpayer ID, form number, employee ID number, and contact information.

How does the IRS notify you that you are being audited?

Remember, you will be contacted initially by mail. The IRS will provide all contact information and instructions in the letter you will receive. If we conduct your audit by mail, our letter will request additional information about certain items shown on the tax return such as income, expenses, and itemized deductions.Jun 2, 2021

Does IRS verify receipts during audit?

(You'll receive a letter from the IRS notifying you of an audit. Letters are the only way that the IRS notifies taxpayers that they're being audited — IRS agents will never call you or show up at your home.) During an audit, the IRS can examine income tax returns you've filed in the last three years.

What does a real IRS audit letter look like?

When you receive an IRS audit letter, it will clearly list your full name, taxpayer/SS ID number, form number, IRS employee ID number, and IRS contact information. This letter should clearly identify the primary reason for the audit and what documents you will be expected to provide.

What happens if you are audited and found guilty?

If the IRS has found you "guilty" during a tax audit, this means that you owe additional funds on top of what has already been paid as part of your previous tax return. At this point, you have the option to appeal the conclusion if you so choose.

What if I get audited and don't have receipts?

The IRS will only require that you provide evidence that you claimed valid business expense deductions during the audit process. Therefore, if you have lost your receipts, you only be required to recreate a history of your business expenses at that time.

Who gets audited by IRS the most?

Two types of taxpayers are more likely to draw the attention of the IRS: the rich and the poor, according to IRS data of audits by income range. Poor taxpayers, or those earning less than $25,000 annually, have an audit rate of 0.69% — more than 50% higher than the overall audit rate.Jan 31, 2020

Who usually gets audited by the IRS?

Most audits happen to high earners. People reporting adjusted gross income (or AGI) of $10 million or more accounted for 6.66% of audits in fiscal year 2018. Taxpayers reporting an AGI of between $5 million and $10 million accounted for 4.21% of audits that same year.Dec 12, 2020

Can you go to jail for a tax audit?

If you're audited and it turns out you owe money, a civil judgment is placed against you to collect the remaining money. You can only go to jail for tax law violations if criminal charges are filed against you, and you are prosecuted and sentenced in a criminal proceeding.Dec 8, 2021

How does IRS verify income?

Information statement matching: The IRS receives copies of income-reporting statements (such as forms 1099, W-2, K-1, etc.) sent to you. It then uses automated computer programs to match this information to your individual tax return to ensure the income reported on these statements is reported on your tax return.Aug 7, 2015

What are the chances of being audited in 2020?

The IRS audit rate dipped to 0.2% in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, 2020 audit rates are not normal for the IRS. However, despite a significant reduction in overall audits, some taxpayer profiles didn't experience the same dropoff in audits as other segments.Sep 9, 2021

What address does an IRS audit letter come from?

IRS Audit Letters The IRS sends written notification to the taxpayer's or business's last known address of record. Alternatively, IRS correspondence may be sent to the taxpayer's tax preparer.

What are the chances of being audited in 2020?

The IRS audit rate dipped to 0.2% in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, 2020 audit rates are not normal for the IRS. However, despite a significant reduction in overall audits, some taxpayer profiles didn't experience the same dropoff in audits as other segments.Sep 9, 2021

How does IRS verify earned income credit?

The information on the return is matched with information already on file with the IRS and other government agencies. If the review shows questionable or incomplete information, the IRS holds the EITC portion of the taxpayer's refund and contacts the taxpayer to verify the information.

Will the IRS call you about an audit?

IRS employees may call taxpayers to set up appointments or discuss audits but not without first attempting to notify taxpayers by mail. IRS employees conducting criminal investigations are federal law enforcement agents and will never demand money.

How much money triggers an IRS audit?

The IRS will be notified if you make a large deposit over the $10,000 amount. You should be prepared to show how and why you received that money if you file a tax return.

What can trigger an IRS audit?

Red Flags that Could Trigger an IRS AuditFailing to Report all Taxable Income. ... Earn a Lot or Very Little. ... Excessive Deductions or Credits. ... Schedule C Filers. ... Non-filers. ... Claiming 100% Business Use of a Vehicle. ... Claiming a Loss on a Hobby. ... Home Office Deduction.More items...•Oct 22, 2021

Who gets audited by IRS the most?

Two types of taxpayers are more likely to draw the attention of the IRS: the rich and the poor, according to IRS data of audits by income range. Poor taxpayers, or those earning less than $25,000 annually, have an audit rate of 0.69% — more than 50% higher than the overall audit rate.Jan 31, 2020

What happens if you get audited and don't respond?

The IRS doesn't assign your mail audit to one person. In fact, if you don't respond, respond late, or respond incompletely, the IRS will likely just disallow the items it's questioning on your return and send you a tax bill – plus penalties and interest.

How far back can IRS audit?

Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don't go back more than the last six years. The IRS tries to audit tax returns as soon as possible after they are filed.Jun 2, 2021

What if I get audited and don't have receipts?

The IRS will only require that you provide evidence that you claimed valid business expense deductions during the audit process. Therefore, if you have lost your receipts, you only be required to recreate a history of your business expenses at that time.

How does the IRS choose an audit?

Most returns are randomly selected by computer screening. The IRS uses a formula that compares returns against similar returns. A “norm” is created based on the formula, and the IRS uses the information to determine who falls outside of the norm.Feb 20, 2018

Does IRS send audit letters certified?

In many cases, the IRS will send a letter simply asking for additional information or clarification of details listed on your tax return. An IRS audit letter will come to you by certified mail. When you open it up, it will identify your name, taxpayer ID, form number, employee ID number, and contact information.

What happens if you get audited?

The IRS can apply an additional percentage to the amount of taxes you owe them: 20% or 40% penalty: If you made a mistake on your tax return, you could face a 20% or 40% penalty, depending on how severe the error is. 75% penalty: This is reserved for more serious cases, like fraud.Apr 13, 2017

How does IRS find unreported income?

Information statement matching: The IRS receives copies of income-reporting statements (such as forms 1099, W-2, K-1, etc.) sent to you. It then uses automated computer programs to match this information to your individual tax return to ensure the income reported on these statements is reported on your tax return.Aug 7, 2015

How does the IRS prove cash income?

You don't need any proof of your income to file your tax return, but State or IRS can send a notice of intent to audit you. The best way to prove your cash income is your accounting records. Any time when you receive the money you can deposit cash into your bank account.Jun 1, 2019

What happens if you are audited and found guilty?

If the IRS has found you "guilty" during a tax audit, this means that you owe additional funds on top of what has already been paid as part of your previous tax return. At this point, you have the option to appeal the conclusion if you so choose.