The broad powers of IRS revenue officers in an IRS audit should be a concern for all US taxpayers. Many business professionals and individuals believe IRS agents must be experts in both accounting and tax law. In many cases, they are not expert in either discipline. This may sound shocking, but the quality of the IRS revenue officer varies from audit to audit, and this has a lot to do with the outcome of your IRS tax audit, and the challenges you may face along the way.
Our professional and experienced San Diego tax attorneys have witnessed situations where the IRS revenue agent levied bank accounts with hundreds of thousands of dollars in them, without just cause. (That revenue officer was subsequently replaced by the IRS). Auditors are not perfect, and they are not degreed experts in accounting. In most audits we become involved in “theoretical” discussions and must explain the fundamental elements of accrual accounting to answer the revenue officers question of “why did the taxpayer do it that way?”
The broad powers of IRS Revenue officers in an IRS audit include the power to seize your assets, freeze or levy (seize) your bank accounts and put liens against your business, corporate assets and even your home. The process of an IRS audit must be managed effectively. Audits are serious business, and if you have received a letter of notification from the IRS of an impending audit, your first call should be to 866-631-3470 for a free consultation.
It may surprise you to learn you do not even have to talk to an IRS agent directly. In fact, it is almost never in the best interest of a US taxpayer to communicate directly with the IRS. IRS revenue officers (auditors) have one goal: Get the maximum amount of additional tax dollars possible from your audit. Well meaning taxpayers provide too much information in an attempt to seem cooperative with the IRS revenue officer. The IRS then uses this information to expand the scope of the audit as well as the size of the check you will ultimately write to the IRS at the end of your audit.
Protect yourself. Understand the protections our experienced San Diego tax attorneys can provide under the “attorney-client privilege.”
These protections are not available through a CPA or tax preparer or specialist. Those who are not attorneys can be compelled by the IRS to provide all notes they’ve taken, emails, texts and information they’ve received from or with you. This is not in your interest.
Learn more about the audit process you will go through, and the strategies to avoid the broad powers of IRS revenue officers in an IRS audit while achieving a positive outcome in your audit. We invite you to contact Allen Barron or call today for a free consultation at 866-631-3470.
