Many people come to us shocked at how their audits have turned out.  They want to know is there anything we can do to help them reduce the $100,000 tax bill they have just received.  (We’re never shocked at the result a new client brings to us, we understand that where taxpayers try to take on the IRS without a tax lawyer that 89% of such audits result in increased tax with an average tax debt of about $5,000.)

Well, there is something we can do.  There is a lot we can do, in fact.  You must remember first of all that the tax auditor’s decision is never final.  There is always the possibility of taking a tax audit appeal. In order to allow people who feel wronged to obtain a review of the auditor’s work, the Congress, through the IRS, has established a division known as the Appeals Office.  A good figure for you to keep in mind about audits is that in 85% of all cases appealed there is a satisfactory settlement.  Plus, you would be amazed by the mistakes we see auditors make in just about every case that presents itself to us.

Some very common areas where the IRS has made mistakes is in calculating such items as:

• gross income (they get this wrong over and over)
• business expenses that are “ordinary and necessary”
• depreciation expenses
• corporate distributions
• hundreds of other areas as well.

Still, even though appeal is so effective, many people tell us they are afraid to appeal because they think it might enrage the IRS auditor.  They are afraid that the Appeals Officer will go into other areas than those plowed up by the IRS auditor.  However, know this:  Revenue Regulation section 601.106(d) mandates that while the case is up on appeal the Appeals Officer may not reopen an issue previously settled with the IRS auditor and may not “raise a new issue.”

Of course we would prefer to be in on the case from the very beginning so that appeal might be unnecessary.  Still, if you get nailed on a tax audit with an outrageous bill you should call us at once and inquire about appeal.  Don’t delay!  Time limits are running, the clock is ticking.