How to Act at an IRS Audit
When you get audited by the IRS, your tax return is not the only thing being examined. You are on trial as well, and your behavior will determine to some extent how your audit goes. This article expands on the material in my article on surviving an IRS audit.
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Instructions
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The first and foremost rule to remember in any kind of IRS audit is not to disclose any more information than necessary. Keep a calm demeanor and do not act rudely toward the auditor, no matter what. If you act evasive or nervous, the auditor may suspect that you have something to hide. (If you really DO have something to hide, it is probably better to simply skip the audit altogether and face the consequences.)
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There are several good responses that you can make to questions that the auditor asks you. These are: "yes," "no," "I don't remember," "I'll have to check on that," "what do you want to see specifically and why do you want that?" Answers outside of these parameters should be limited to straight, factual responses providing numerical information that you are sure of.
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Absolutely, positively, never lie to an auditor or mislead him or her in any way. Discovery of this is immediate grounds for criminal investigations and penalties, and the IRS has more power than any other institution in America to level these at you.
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Do not offer favors of any kind to an auditor. They can easily be viewed as bribes. Anything past a cookie or cup of coffee can be perceived as a form of influence, even if your intention is purely friendly.
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Of course, you need to try and get along with the auditor. Be polite and courteous, professional and helpful, but don't try to brown nose them or intimidate them in any way. IRS auditors have the authority to screw up your life in many ways, so don't provoke them, even if they are being unreasonable or unprofessional. If your auditor is not honoring your rights as a taxpayer, then you can call a supervisor and register a complaint and request a replacement.
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