All taxpayers dread the prospect of facing an Internal Revenue Service audit. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), there are some steps you can take to minimize the likelihood that you’ll be audited or ensure a more positive experience if you are.
What’s It All About?
In an audit, the IRS contacts the taxpayer to verify some of the information contained in a filed tax return. The process usually involves a very careful examination of the return. The IRS is becoming more active in enforcement actions. In 2007, nearly 1.4 million individual tax returns were audited, the highest rate since 1998. Audits of businesses jumped 14 percent, to just under 60,000. Among other reasons, the IRS is trying to reduce the tax gap — the difference between taxes owed and taxes actually paid — which the agency estimates is roughly $290 billion.
Accuracy Counts
How can you avoid being targeted for an audit? One easy answer is simply to turn in a tax return that is as accurate, neat and well organized as possible. If your math is wrong or some details are missing, you probably will find yourself contacted by the IRS. You may not necessarily end up being audited, but it’s best if your return doesn’t attract added scrutiny.
Charitable Donations
Don’t take a deduction for a charitable donation unless you have documentation to prove you made it, such as a confirmation letter from the charity. Your return may be scrutinized if you have donated a great deal — more than 10 percent of your income, say — or if you have given away a big-ticket item, such as a car. In general, you must obtain an appraisal for a non-cash item worth more than $5,000. Of course, there’s no reason to stop being charitable, but be sure to document what you have done.
Home Office Deductions
This is another deduction that may raise red flags at the IRS. The answer once again is to keep detailed records of your expenses, particularly those that the IRS may believe are really personal items that you are trying to claim as business expenses. You may also be asked to verify the necessity of a home office.
Travel and Entertainment Documentation
In addition to charitable contributions and home office expenses, other red-flag areas include travel and entertainment deductions. As such, be sure to keep records of the expenses and the purpose of your business trip. For entertainment, in addition to keeping the receipt, make notes of who you entertained, where you went, how much you paid and what was discussed. This documentation won’t prevent an audit, but it will help you should you be audited.
Keep Cool
If you are contacted about an audit, CPAs advise that you don’t panic. Remember, you are not going on trial, you’re simply being asked to verify some of the claims you made on your tax return. It’s best to remain calm and cooperative when dealing with the IRS.
Consult Your CPA
It’s also a good idea to contact your local CPA for advice and assistance in case you are audited. He or she can help you understand the process and work with you to try to achieve the best resolution. Turn to your CPA for help with all the financial issues facing your family.
If you don’t have a CPA, you can easily locate one online using the NJSCPA’s free, online Find-A-CPA service. Just go to http://www.findacpa.org, and in a few clicks you can locate a highly qualified professional who can assist you.
For more information on various personal financial matters, visit the NJSCPA’s public service website at www.MoneyMattersNJ.com. While visiting, you can subscribe to Your Money Matters, the NJSCPA’s free, monthly email newsletter to receive valuable personal financial planning advice throughout the year.
