IRS Tax Help – Audit Representation
John Spurgeon & Associates, Inc. offers tax representation by experienced tax attorneys and CPAs.
Individuals, corporations, LLCs and partnerships are required to file annual tax returns. Agents from the IRS Examination Division are charged with the responsibility of auditing those previously filed tax returns with the intent of finding additional taxes, resulting in additional interest and penalties.
Often the interest and penalties exceed the tax. Once the tax is established, the IRS takes aggressive actions to collect the tax through liens and garnishment. However the taxing authorities often make mistakes in their calculations. Recently our firm reduced a small business owner’s liability from $220,000 to $25,000 (documents on file).
The best way to avoid a liability is to prevent adjustments at the audit stage. We strongly recommend clients have legal representation (CPA or tax attorney) during the audit to provide input to the auditor and prevent disclosures which could compromise your rights as a taxpayer.
Accounting is not an exact science but a talent based upon interpretation, knowledge and experience. For individuals and small business, income taxes are based on the net taxable income for the fiscal year. Once the taxing authority has concluded the audit, it is more difficult to reverse the tax liability; however, that is not the end of the process. John H. Spurgeon, is both a tax lawyer and a CPA resulting in both experienced, privileged legal advice and an understanding of accounting.
If the audit has resulted in additional tax, we will assist you then by reviewing the tax notices and supporting documents. If you have been incorrectly assessed, we would urge you to take action as soon as possible through appeals and or the U.S. Tax Court to mitigate or eliminate the damage. We can request a Collection Due Process hearing and file a petition with the U.S. Tax Court.
We can also assist clients when the IRS has computed tax through its SFR (substitute for return) program. This is for taxpayers who have not previously filed returns resulting in the IRS filing returns using your income but without deductions.
As tax lawyers and CPA’s we can help you with the IRS and State taxing authorities. We offer a complementary consultation. Please contact us today at 626-440-9518.