Handling IRS Audit Documentation Requests

There is no doubt that the average person is completely terrified of being audited. This is likely for quite afew reasons. The first is because a number of people make inaccurate claims on their taxes, at least to a small level, and we’re afraid that our seemingly innocent fib is discovered, we could get into real trouble. The second is because many of the deductions we took on our taxes have no real documentation to back them up. If you have inward a litany of IRS audit documentation requests, don’t panic, here is what to do.

Save Everything

First of all, you want to save everything. When you bought that snow blower, you may not have realized that it could serve as a tax write-off, but now that you do, you should that receipt. Yes, this philosophy will turn you into a pack rat, but it will turn you into a well-organized pack rat. Saving things is even more important if you work from home. Everything from your power bill to your internet bill can be used to aid save money on taxes and, in most cases, the IRS will tolerate it but you have to have documentation.

Ask For An Extension

There is a reason why most audits take so long, and it is because many people ask for extension after extension. You have the right to ask for more time to gather the IRS audit documentation requests you are being asked for, but you only get so many before the IRS is going to make you take part in} your hand. If you have a box of paperwork at your summer home and you [need to go and get it, do that, but don’t cancel a meeting with an IRS agent to do so. You could face heavy fines and even a reprimand from a judge.

See If You Can Find Duplicates

In this day and age of giant computer databases, you can go back to a store such as greatest Buy and request old gate. They are kept on record for their tax purposes and all you will call for is an approximate date that the purchase happened and the credit card or debit card that the transaction was made with. Their computers can almost certainly cross-reference the purchase and print out original gate that can save you when it comes to IRS audit documentation requests. Don’t look forward to this kind of technology from a mom-and-pop store on the corner, but most big retailers can do this for you.

Be straightforward

As stated above, most people admit to having cheated on their taxes, at smallest amount a little bit, at one point or another in their lives. Don’t make things worse by lying any more. If you fabricated a deduction, the IRS is going to find out during the audit process and the earlier you come clean, the recovered off you will be. If you don’t have the documentation, you don’t get the write-off, plain and simple.

Darrin T. Mish is a veteran, nationally recognized tax attorney who has focused on providing IRS help to taxpayers for over a decade. He regularly travels the country training other attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents on how to handle their toughest cases with the IRS. He is highly ranked among the top attorneys in the country, with an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a perfect 10 on Avvo.com. Martindale-Hubbell has also honored him with a listing in their Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He is a member of the American Society of IRS Problem Solvers and the Tax Freedom Institute. With clients on every continent but Antarctica, he has what it takes to solve your IRS problems no matter where you live in the world. If you would like more information about his practice and how he can help you, please call his office at (813) 229-7100 or toll free at 1-888-GET-MISH.

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