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IRS Audit Representation — Professional Help for IRS Audits & Examinations
Receiving an IRS audit notice can be stressful and confusing, especially when you’re unsure what triggered the review or what the IRS may find. Whether the IRS wants documentation, questions your deductions, or believes you underreported income, professional representation can make the difference between a smooth resolution and a costly outcome.
Internal Tax Resolution provides nationwide IRS audit representation for individuals and businesses. Our tax professionals communicate with the IRS on your behalf, protect your rights, and ensure your case is handled properly from start to finish.
Experienced Tax Audit Defense
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Licensed Tax Attorneys with over 30 years experience
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Knowledgable Tax Consultants
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Ethical Enrolled Agents
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A+ Rating on BBB
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Member of ASTPS - American Society of Tax Problem Solvers a non-profit professional association
What Is an IRS Audit?
An IRS audit is an examination of your tax return to verify that income, deductions, credits, and other items have been reported correctly. Audits can be triggered by:
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Random selection
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Mismatched income reporting
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Unusual deductions
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IRS algorithms identifying potential errors
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Self-employment or business filings
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High-income reporting issues
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Missing or incomplete tax return information
Audits do not always mean you did something wrong — but professional assistance helps prevent costly missteps.
Types of IRS Audits and What They Mean
Not all audits are the same. Understanding which type you're facing helps determine the best response:
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Correspondence Audit. The most common type. The IRS sends a letter asking for documentation to verify specific items on your return — a charitable deduction, business expense, or income discrepancy. You respond by mail with the requested documents. These are typically limited in scope and can often be resolved without professional help, though having a representative can ensure you don't inadvertently provide information that expands the audit.
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Office Audit. The IRS asks you to visit a local IRS office to discuss specific items on your return. These are more serious than correspondence audits and cover multiple issues. You have the right to bring a representative, and we strongly recommend it — the IRS agent will ask questions designed to uncover additional issues, and anything you say can be used to expand the audit's scope.
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Field Audit. An IRS revenue agent comes to your home, business, or accountant's office to examine your records. These are the most intensive audits, typically reserved for complex returns, business owners, and high-income individuals. Field audits can last days and cover your entire return. Professional representation is essential.
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Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program (TCMP) Audit. A rare, comprehensive audit where the IRS examines every line of your return. These are used for statistical purposes to update the IRS's scoring models. They're extremely thorough and burdensome, but they're random — being selected doesn't mean the IRS suspects wrongdoing.
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Regardless of the type, you have rights during an audit — including the right to professional representation, the right to know why the IRS is asking for information, the right to appeal, and the right to confidentiality. Internal Tax Resolution exercises these rights on your behalf.
What Happens During and After an IRS Audit
During the audit: The IRS examines your records and documentation for the items in question. An IRS agent may ask questions, request additional documents, and compare your records to third-party information (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements). When you have professional representation, we handle all communication — you don't speak to the IRS directly.
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After the audit — three possible outcomes:
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No Change. The IRS finds that your return was accurate. No additional tax is owed. This happens more often than most people expect.
Agreed. The IRS proposes changes and you (or your representative) agree. You'll owe additional tax, plus interest and possibly penalties. You sign the agreement and set up payment.
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Disagreed. You don't agree with the IRS's proposed changes. You have the right to request a meeting with the auditor's supervisor, and if that doesn't resolve the issue, you can file a formal appeal with the IRS Office of Appeals. If the appeal is unsuccessful, you may be able to take your case to U.S. Tax Court.
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The appeal is where the real negotiation happens. Many audit assessments are reduced or eliminated at the appeals level. IRS Appeals officers are authorized to settle cases based on the "hazards of litigation" — meaning if there's a reasonable chance the IRS would lose in court, they'll often negotiate a compromise. Having experienced representation at the appeals stage is critical.
Why IRS Audits Happen
Audits can occur for several reasons, including:
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Unreported income
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Large charitable deductions
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Excessive business expenses
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Questionable credits
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Self-employed income inconsistencies
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Cash-heavy industries
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Math errors
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Late or amended filings
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IRS matching discrepancies (W-2, 1099, etc.)
Understanding the trigger helps create a strategic response.
Consequences of Ignoring an IRS Audit
If you don’t respond to an IRS audit notice, the IRS may:
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Assess additional taxes
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Add penalties and interest
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Disallow deductions or credits
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File a tax lien
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Increase your risk of future audits
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Refer your case to collections
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In severe cases, escalate to criminal investigation
Proper representation prevents unnecessary penalties and protects your rights.
How Internal Tax Resolution Helps With IRS Audits
Facing the IRS alone is not only stressful — it can lead to errors, overpayment, and agreements that do not benefit you. Our tax professionals manage every communication, request, and negotiation with the IRS.
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We help you by:
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Reviewing your IRS notice and tax return
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Determining the audit’s scope and what the IRS wants
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Gathering and organizing required documentation
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Communicating directly with the IRS auditor on your behalf
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Preparing professional responses to all IRS inquiries
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Attending meetings and hearings for you
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Negotiating to minimize tax, penalties, and adjustments
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Filing appeals when necessary
Our goal is to protect your financial interests and ensure the fairest outcome possible.
Our IRS Audit Representation Process
1. Audit Notice Review
We identify why the IRS selected your return and what they are targeting.
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2. Document Preparation
Our team gathers receipts, income statements, deduction support, and other key documents.
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3. Direct IRS Representation
We speak to the IRS examiner so you don’t have to.
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4. Issue-by-Issue Resolution
We present evidence, defend your filings, and negotiate adjustments.
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5. Penalty Reduction or Removal
We pursue penalty abatement when possible.
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6. Appeal Support
If the IRS makes an incorrect determination, we help file an appeal.
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7. Compliance Guidance
We help you avoid future audits and maintain a strong tax record.
Client Success Example
“A business owner in Georgia received an IRS audit questioning $89,000 in business deductions. Internal Tax Resolution represented him at every stage, provided proper documentation, and the IRS closed the audit with no additional tax owed.”
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Professional representation often leads to significantly better outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About IRS Audits
I've been selected for an audit. Does that mean the IRS thinks I committed fraud? No. Most audits are triggered by discrepancies between your return and third-party reporting (like a W-2 or 1099 that doesn't match), statistical scoring models, or random selection. Being audited does not imply wrongdoing.
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Can I represent myself in an IRS audit? You can, but we strongly advise against it for anything beyond a simple correspondence audit. IRS agents are trained to ask questions that uncover additional issues. Without representation, you may inadvertently expand the scope of the audit, volunteer information that increases your liability, or miss deductions and arguments that reduce what you owe.
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How far back can the IRS audit me? Generally, the IRS can audit returns filed within the last three years. If they find a substantial understatement of income (more than 25% of gross income), they can go back six years. There's no time limit for fraudulent returns or returns that were never filed.
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What if I can't find my old records? We can obtain IRS transcripts that show all income reported to the IRS for the audited year. We can also reconstruct business records and expenses using bank statements, credit card records, and other available documentation. Having incomplete records isn't ideal, but it's not a dead end.
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Can the results of an audit be appealed? Yes. You have 30 days from the audit report to request an appeal with the IRS Office of Appeals. The appeals process is where many audit assessments are reduced or eliminated. We handle the entire appeals process on your behalf.
Get Professional IRS Audit Help Today
IRS audits can be intimidating — but you don’t have to face them alone. With expert representation, you can avoid mistakes, reduce liability, and protect your financial future.​
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We’ll handle the IRS — so you don’t have to.