How to Get an IRS Audit
It should be noted that only about 1 in every 150 personal tax returns actually gets audited. However, there are certain "red flags" that stick out to the IRS. Just because you are getting audited doesn't necessarily mean you did anything wrong. The IRS is simply looking for some clarification of a deduction or discrepancy on your tax return. If you keep proper records and receipts, you should not have a problem getting through a tax audit, but there are certain ways to ensure you get audited.
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Instructions
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Claim the wrong deduction. In many circumstances you might have claimed the wrong deduction or miscalculated. These circumstances can be remedied by talking with the IRS and paying back the miscalculated amount. If you intentionally claimed the wrong deduction, then you might get a tax fraud penalty.
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Claim unlikely charitable contributions. If you make $80,000 a year and claim $50,000 as a charitable contribution, this will likely make the IRS take notice. A good standard is that if you think the donation amount you claim would leave a reasonable person scratching his head, then it's likely going to be a red flag with the IRS.
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Deduct your vehicle expenses unreasonably. If you claim that your car is used for business purposes 80% of the time but you have very little business income, then it will likely be red-flagged. If you can prove your deduction, then it won't be a problem. Make sure you save your receipts that are related to vehicle usage so you can back up your deduction. GPS records can also help.
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Deduct your home office. This is the classic red flag for the IRS. You can only deduct your home office if you use it exclusively as a home office. For example, it cannot be used for both an office and a study. It's very common for the IRS to investigate this type of deduction.
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Tips & Warnings
Keeping good records and receipts will back up your deduction arguments.
If you plan on cheating on your taxes, be prepared for a tax audit.
