The IRS may choose to audit your previous years' tax returns for any number of reasons, and some returns are even randomly selected for review. In general, being found "guilty" in an audit means the IRS examiner believes you owe additional taxes, although you have the right to dispute the findings. In some cases, your actions could be deemed as fraudulent.
Notification of Findings
Within 30 days of the conclusion of your audit, you will receive written notification of the IRS examiner's findings. It is possible that the audit results could indicate that you owe no additional taxes and that your return is accepted as it is. If the examiner determined that you owe money, the notification will include a written explanation of the reason as well as the amount owed. You have the right to either agree or disagree with the findings.
Exploring Audit Results
If you agree that you owe the amount indicated, you will be asked to sign the examiner's report and return it to the IRS, as well as make arrangements to pay what you owe. If you disagree with the amount or the fact that you owe at all, you can request a further review of your case. The letter you receive will indicate your rights to appeal as well as the appropriate timeframe for response, which is 30 days. If you do not respond in a timely manner, the IRS will consider the adjustment to your return as valid.
Understanding the Appeal Process
If you file an appeal, you will have the opportunity to present your case before an IRS appeals agent. The agent acts independently of the IRS examiner and makes his own determination based on the facts of your case. In some cases, the appeals agent may reduce the amount you owe. You also have the option to take your case directly to federal tax court. Your inability to pay is not a valid reason to file an appeal.
Assessing Fraud Allegations
It is possible that the examiner could determine that you committed an act of fraud, as opposed to simple negligence. Common signs of fraud can include keeping two sets of books, submitting false receipts for the purpose of substantiating deductions, or altered canceled checks. According to the website of tax attorney Frederick W. Daily III, 98 percent of tax fraud perpetrators do not face criminal prosecution. Instead, the IRS assesses additional fines and penalties.
