What Happens if You Get Audited by the IRS?

Anna Kuehl

Expert Contributor
Last Updated: December 9, 2021

At Solvable, we care about your financial well-being and are here to help. Our research, articles and ratings, and assessments are based strict editorial integrity. Our company gets compensated by partners who appear on our website. Here is how we get compensated.

You can complete most audits by mail, but some require in-person interviews.
An IRS tax audit can involve several years of tax returns.
Ignoring an IRS audit can lead to substantial charges and penalties.

If the idea of getting audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes your heart race or your brow sweat, you might be surprised to learn that this process isn’t usually as scary as it seems. You can respond to the majority of IRS audits by answering a few simple, straightforward questions. Find out what happens if you get audited by the IRS and how to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Easy Article Navigation hide

1 You May Have Been Randomly Selected

2 You Shouldn’t Ignore an IRS Audit

3 You Can Complete Most IRS Audits by Mail

4 You May Have to Do an In-Office or Field Audit

5 You’ll Need Tax Return Documentation

6 Your Audit Could Impact Several Years of Tax Returns

7 You’ll Probably Have to Revise Your Tax Return

8 You May Have to Pay a Tax Penalty or Deal With Other Consequences

9 You Have Taxpayer Rights Throughout an IRS Audit

You May Have Been Randomly Selected

When you receive an audit notice from the IRS, it’s easy to worry that you misfiled or made a big mistake on your tax return. It’s important not to overthink this type of notice, however. Every year, the IRS randomly audits taxpayers, which means the IRS may have chosen you by chance.

If your tax return does include questionable information, however, the IRS may audit you to clear up any errors. The IRS may also take a closer look at your tax return if it has any connections with business associates or other related taxpayers who are also being audited.

You Shouldn’t Ignore an IRS Audit

You certainly aren’t alone if you don’t want to deal with an audit, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore a notice from the IRS. All notices include timelines for responding or providing the required information, and most allow for 30 days. If you fail to respond by the deadline, the IRS won’t usually attempt to contact you again. Instead, the agency will proceed with revising your tax return to reflect any changes, such as adding income sources. If these tax return changes result in additional charges or penalties, the IRS will notify you.

By ignoring IRS notices, you allow the audit and any collections to happen without your input. If you do respond, however, you may have the opportunity to change the course of the audit and avoid penalties.

What Happens if You Get Audited by the IRS?

Solvable Exclusive Offer

How Much Tax Debt Do You Owe?

Next >>

Recommended

You Can Complete Most IRS Audits by Mail

Picturing having to undergo an intense interrogation with an intimidating agent? In most cases, you’ll never have to talk with an IRS agent or meet with a representative in person because most audits take place by mail.

See More >> This Guy Resolved His $8,597 Tax Debt - Learn His Methods!

Also known as a correspondence audit, this relatively simple process tends to focus on one or two line items on your tax return. Usually, you’ll need to provide proof of income or documentation that supports any deductions you’ve claimed. If you need more time to gather paperwork, you’ll need to make a written request for a 30-day extension.

You May Have to Do an In-Office or Field Audit

Although the IRS initiates all audits by mail, some do require in-person interviews. This typically happens when tax return issues are more complex or when you have too many supporting records to submit by mail. The IRS examiner working on your case will determine whether the audit will take place in an agency office, in your home, at your business, or in your accountant’s office.

You’ll Need Tax Return Documentation

No matter what type of audit you have to complete, you’ll typically need to provide the same type of paperwork. In general, the IRS requests documentation that supports income, expenses, and deductions, which you’re required to keep for three years after filing your return. In most cases, you’ll want to have the following records on hand during an audit:

Employment paperwork and W-2 statements.
Receipts, bills, and canceled checks related to expenses.
Loan agreements and legal papers.
Agendas and tickets related to travel expenses.
Medical and dental records and account statements.

Your Audit Could Impact Several Years of Tax Returns

Your audit might be over in a few months, especially if you respond to notices quickly and provide complete documentation to clear up questions. However, some audits are much more time-consuming, especially if they deal with tax returns from more than just the current year.

In most cases, an IRS audit can include three years of tax returns. If the agency discovers an egregious error that affects additional tax returns, however, the IRS examiner may look further back. The IRS doesn’t generally include more than the prior six years in an audit.

You’ll Probably Have to Revise Your Tax Return

Whether you’re corresponding by mail or meeting for an in-person interview, there’s a good chance that the IRS examiner will propose at least one change to your return. You’ll have the opportunity to accept the revision as proposed or contest it. If you oppose the change, you may have to initiate a formal appeal or meet in person with an IRS examiner.

See More >> How One Woman Crushed $300,000+ of Student Loan & Mortgage Debt

Keep in mind that these changes don’t always mean bad news for you as a taxpayer. You may ultimately receive a tax refund after an audit.

You May Have to Pay a Tax Penalty or Deal With Other Consequences

If your audit results in a larger tax burden, you may owe back taxes and penalties. The IRS will send you a statutory notice of deficiency to confirm how much you owe.

Even if you can’t pay your new back taxes immediately, you won’t want to ignore this notice. If you fail to pay your back taxes, you may be subject to wage garnishment, federal tax liens, or other consequences. To avoid these issues, respond to your notice in a timely manner to request an extension.

You Have Taxpayer Rights Throughout an IRS Audit

Dealing with an IRS audit can be daunting, so it’s important to remember that you have rights as a taxpayer. You have:

The right to keep tax matters confidential.
The right to understand how the IRS will use the documentation you provide.
The right to representation by a tax attorney if necessary.
The right to appeal disputes with the IRS.

Whether you just learned that you’re being audited or you already have a substantial back taxes, we’re here to provide the resources and solutions you need. Contact Solvable to get the back tax assistance you need today.

See More >> Trustworthy Tax Relief Companies + Customer Reviews

Anna Kuehl

Expert Contributor
Last Updated: December 9, 2021

Solvable is a Trusted Source For