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by Merry Walker on April 26th, 2006
There's no simple answer to your question, so lets consider why you might want to consult a tax attorney.
Is the IRS auditing your personal return(s), or business return(s)?
Did you prepare the returns yourself, or did someone else do them? If someone else, was the preparer an employee or an outside professional?
Are you confident that you reported all reportable income and can substantiate all deductions?
If you are confident that you reported all income properly and can substantiate all deductions, and you prepared your personal or business returns yourself (or if your business return was prepared by an employee under your direction), you probably don't need a tax lawyer at this time.
If you are confident that you reported all income properly and can substantiate all deductions and your returns were prepared by an outside professional, you'll want to contact them and let them know you're being audited. They should be familiar with the process and can advise you about what to expect. Since it's their work that is also being audited, they should work with you through the process. A tax attorney should not be required for the audit in this case, either.
Now for the tough one. If you aren't confident that you reported all income properly and can substantiate all deductions, or if you've been playing games with your returns by not reporting all reportable income or taking deductions that you either can't substantiate or are questionable, then yes, you want to consult a tax attorney immediately.
When will you know if the IRS wants to audit you?
by Answerbag Staff on July 13th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Can the IRS audit you at any time?
by Answerbag Staff on July 13th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Is an IRS tour of the business required of an audit?
by Answerbag Staff on June 15th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Have u ever heard of someone being audited for not filing veteran status? And was their EIC for that year held until after the audit??
by Stephanie_S944 on February 7th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
We were audited Dec 13, 2008 and have yet to hear back from the IRS as to the results....they thought we would owe, but discovered unclaimed exemptions on dependents. How long should the results take?
by Anonymous on March 18th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
You're reading If I am being audited by the IRS, should I hire a tax lawyer?
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