When it comes to the perception of IRS audits, conjecture reigns supreme. The combination of the complex tax code and a government agency with the full authority to enforce it leads to some pretty wild ideas. Separating truth from fiction is an important exercise for everyone. Here are five audit myths that, if believed, can cost you during an audit:
When it comes to taking qualified deductions on your tax return, having proper documentation to prove your expense is a must. Here are some typical areas that taxpayers often fall short, costing them plenty during tax filing season and during IRS audits:
Each year, the IRS audits over 1 million tax returns. With agency resources shrinking, the IRS is more selective when choosing tax returns to audit. Knowing what the IRS is looking for can help you understand and reduce your audit risk. Here are five of the biggest reasons the IRS may choose to audit your return:
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: