Mike DiSabatino CPA
Chances of Audit Continue to Drop What you need to know
You can be audited the later date of either three years after the filing deadline of your tax return or when you actually filed your tax return. However, there are two main exceptions to this rule that can extend the risk of being audited;
| 1 |
If the IRS audits a tax return and discovers an error of more than 25% of your claimed tax obligation they can go back six years. |
| 2 |
If the IRS deems there is fraud involved, they can go back indefinitely. |
Every year the IRS publishes their examination statistics. Provided here are three years of published information to help you identify trends:
Audit Rate Statistics for INDIVIDUALS
| Fiscal Year Ending | 2016 | 2011 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Individual Tax Returns | .70% | 1.11% | 1.00% |
| No Income (AGI) | 3.25% | 3.42% | 2.15% |
| Income under $25,000 | .80% | 1.22% | .90% |
| $25,000 - 50,000 | .49% | .73% | .72% |
| $50,000 - 75,000 | .41% | .83% | .69% |
| $75,000 - 100,000 | .52% | .82% | .69% |
| $100,000 - 200,000 | .62% | 1.00% | .98% |
| $200,000 - 500,000 | 1.01% | 2.66% | 1.92% |
| $500,000 - $1 million | 2.06% | 5.38% | 2.98% |
| $1 million - $5 million | 4.60% | 11.80% | 4.02% |
| $5 million - 10 million | 10.46% | 20.75% | 6.47% |
| $10 million and over | 18.79% | 18.38% | 9.77% |
| Note: These audit rates are stated as a percent of total tax returns with "total positive income" (TPI) as claimed on individual tax returns. In general the examinations are for tax returns filed in the previous calendar year. | |||
| Source: IRS Data Books | |||
Observations
- Despite complaints of fewer audits from the IRS, the audit rates are still up dramatically versus 2008 for those with incomes over $500,000. This is because the vast majority of income tax collected comes from these taxpayers.
- Upper income taxpayers could assume they will be audited every 3 to 5 years.
- Note the large drop in audit rates in the $1 million to $10 million range versus 2011. While still high versus the 2008 rates, it is halved from 2011 audit rates.
- Those with incomes over $10 million have seen their audit rate double since 2008.
Note that the IRS is also auditing taxpayers with little to no taxable income. Much of this is due to the high incidence of error and fraud within the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Play it safe
Always retain your tax records and support documents for as long as they may be needed to substantiate claims on your tax return. Make sure you consider any state record retention requirements as you review when it is safe to destroy old records. Remember some records need to be retained indefinitely. This includes, at minimum, copies of original tax returns, legal documents, and real estate transactions.
Should any of these situations apply to you, please ask for a review of your circumstances, as establishing basis can become fairly complex.
As always, feel free to pass this Tip along to friends, and reach out if you need help with your personal tax and finance situation.
The IRS has announced collection activity will now be starting, so be prepared and ask for help if you are impacted by this change within the IRS.
DiSabatino CPA
Michael DiSabatino
651 Via Alondra Suite 715
Camarillo, CA 93012
Phone: 805-389-7300
ww.sharpcpa.com
This publication provides summary information regarding the subject matter at time of publishing. Please call with any questions on how this information may impact your situation. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission, except as noted here. All rights reserved.
