The first reaction by most taxpayers when they find out they are being audited by the IRS is crippling fear.  An audit occurs when the IRS has reason to believe that the tax you paid is not what should have been collected.  The IRS wants to investigate how you calculated your tax due for the year.  If you have received a letter in the mail from the IRS, take a deep breath and don’t immediately panic.  You might not even have to meet in person with the IRS, depending on the type of audit.

Every year the IRS sends letters or notices to taxpayers for many different reasons.

Here are some do’s and don’ts for taxpayers who receive one:

• Don’t ignore it. Most IRS letters and notices are about federal tax returns or tax accounts. Each notice deals with a specific issue and includes specific instructions on what to do.
• Don’t panic. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies do send letters by mail. Most of the time, all you needs to do is read the letter carefully and take the appropriate action.
• Don’t reply unless instructed to do so. There is usually no need for you to reply to a notice unless specifically instructed to do so. On the other hand, taxpayers who owe should reply with a payment. IRS.gov has information about payment options.
• Do take timely action. A notice may reference changes to a taxpayer’s account, taxes owed, a payment request or a specific issue on a tax return. Acting timely could minimize additional interest and penalty charges.
• Do review the information. If a letter is about a changed or corrected tax return, you should review the information and compare it with the original return. If you agree, you should make notes about the corrections on your personal copy of the tax return and keep it for their records.
• Do respond to a disputed notice. If you don’t agree with the IRS, you should mail a letter explaining why you dispute the notice. You should mail it to the address on the contact stub included with the notice. You should include information and documents for the IRS to review when considering the dispute and allow at least 30 days for the IRS to respond.
• Do remember there is usually no need to call the IRS. If you must contact the IRS by phone, you should use the number in the upper right-hand corner of the notice. You will need a copy of your tax return and letter when calling the agency.
• Do avoid scams. The IRS will never contact you using social media or text messages. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail. If you are unsure if they owe money to the IRS can view their tax account information on IRS.gov.

Need Help?

There are three main categories of IRS audits: a correspondence audit, a field audit, and an office audit.  A correspondence audit happens via the mail.  The field audit happens in person in your place of work or home.  An office audit happens in person at your local IRS office.  

Don’t be alarmed if you’ve received a letter from the IRS. Not every letter means an audit. Most are routine and can be resolved in a few simple steps. 

Please complete the following two steps, uploading documents and scheduling your complimentary review. During this review, we’ll identify the best resolution to address your tax concerns with the IRS or state.  

Step 1 – Upload or fax (888) 876-5101 the following documents

• Tax Return(s)
• IRS or state correspondence
• Other documents needing review

Step 2 – Schedule an appointment – Click Here

 After uploading your documents, please schedule an appointment using the link above or feel free to contact us. The meeting scheduler will display an up-to-date calendar and let you pick a convenient time. We will contact you at the scheduled time with the phone number provided.

For more information or if you prefer to make an appointment over the phone or need additional assistance, please use the contact information below.

Clergy Financial Resources
11214 86th Avenue N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Tel: (763) 425-8778 
Email: cfr@clergyfinancial.com
Fax: (888) 876-5101

Clergy Financial Resources serves as a resource for clients to help analyze the complexity of clergy tax law, church payroll & HR issues. Our professionals are committed to helping clients stay informed about tax news, developments and trends in various specialty areas.

This article is intended to provide readers with guidance in tax matters. The article does not constitute, and should not be treated as professional advice regarding the use of any particular tax technique. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information. Clergy Financial Resources and the author do not assume responsibility for any individual’s reliance upon the information provided in the article. Readers should independently verify all information before applying it to a particular fact situation, and should independently determine the impact of any particular tax planning technique. If you are seeking legal advice, you are encouraged to consult an attorney.

For more information or if you need additional assistance, please use the contact information below.

Clergy Financial Resources
11214 86th Avenue N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Tel: (888) 421-0101 
Fax: (888) 876-5101
Email: clientservices@clergyfinancial.com