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IRS audits and notices

Any kind of notice or communication from the IRS – apart from a refund, that is – might cause you to start worrying. Here's what you need to know about audit communications, tax notices and letters that you could receive from the IRS.

TAX FILE MINUTE: ANSWERS FROM A TAX INSIDER

What tax mistakes lead to getting an IRS letter or notice?

Chief Tax Information Officer Mark Steber covers the most common tax mistakes that could lead to getting an IRS letter or notice.

Common IRS notices

NOTICES

7 common IRS notices: what you need to know

If you don’t read your IRS notice, you may miss an easy resolution opportunity, important deadlines or accrue additional penalties and interest on outstanding tax debts. Learn more about common notices and what to do when you receive one.

What is an IRS notice of tax deficiency?

A tax deficiency occurs when there’s a difference in the amount of tax you report on your return and the amount the IRS calculates you owe – and the IRS will inform you of this discrepancy with a notice.

What to do if you receive a notice or letter from the IRS

Receiving any correspondence from the IRS can instantly strike fear in the heart of most. While fear is a completely normal reaction, learn the four steps every taxpayer should follow if they receive an IRS notice or letter.

Audits

How do you know if you're being audited by the IRS?

While the risk of being audited is quite low for most, being aware of what audits are, why they are conducted, and how to know that you are being audited is essential for every taxpayer.

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How long does it take to resolve an IRS audit?

IRS audits are rare. But if you are subject to an audit, how long does it take to resolve?

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Will my tax return trigger an audit?

However small the chances, you likely want to avoid being audited by the IRS. Here are some tips to help you figure out if your return is likely to spark an inquiry.

What is the statute of limitations for an IRS audit?

By being aware of the statute of limitations for an IRS audit, you can save yourself trouble and money.

7 Things Your IRS Auditor Will Not Tell You

IRS audits are rare these days. Face-to-face audits that involve personal interaction between the IRS auditor and a taxpayer and/or their representative are the least common.

Can someone "turn me in" to the IRS?

What happens when someone is turned in to the IRS for tax fraud? The IRS gets tens of thousands of informants each year. Here is how they look at this information.

IRS audit priorities

There has always been a big mystery among taxpayers and tax professionals on how the IRS selects taxpayers for an audit and what issues are important to the IRS. Taxpayers always want to know the chances that they will be audited and what triggers an IRS audit.

FEATURED

Top 6 tax problems faced by taxpayers

IRS statistics are pretty reliable. So when it comes to tax problems, it is easy to identify the most common IRS problems taxpayers face.

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CONTACTING THE IRS

IRS Phone Lines: Frequent Numbers & Hours

If you have to deal with the IRS outside of filing your tax return, that usually means calling or visiting them. Visiting the IRS is almost out of the question. With about 358 taxpayer assistance centers and long waiting lines for an appointment, face-to-face interaction is not realistic. That leaves calling the IRS by phone.

Getting in touch with the IRS during COVID-19 Pandemic

Taxpayers felt the impact of IRS closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. IRS campus operations and phone services were almost non-existent, leaving taxpayers in a quandary on how to get answers from the IRS.

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