Failure to pay taxes will result in complicated penalties and consequences that can affect multiple areas of life for a Georgia taxpayer. One of these consequences is an audit, which is the process of a careful examination of every aspect of your financial life conducted by the Internal Revenue Service. If the IRS finds an issue, you could face expensive fines that you may be unable to pay.
Thankfully, you can defend yourself if you find that you are subjected to an audit. There are certain strategies by which you can confront the case against you and possibly avoid some of the penalties you are facing. It will be in your interests to begin planning how you will do this as soon as you receive notice of an audit as your financial future is at stake.
The most appropriate defense strategy
The ideal way to handle your audit depends on the details of your individual situation. A careful assessment of your specific case can help you determine the most appropriate defense strategy that will give you the strongest chance of a successful outcome. First, you will need to determine the complexity of your situation. For example, it is possible your tax return simply needs verification and review, or you may be facing a relatively simple paper audit.
Your defense needs may be more complex if you are facing an in-person audit, expensive fines and other complications. During an audit, the IRS will likely look at deductions you made and determine whether you have the appropriate documentation for them. If you find yourself in a position where you are facing fines and back taxes, there could be certain types of relief options available to you. These may include installment payments, abatement of penalties, offer in compromise and more.
Navigating an audit
An audit is a complicated and daunting prospect, but you do not have to navigate it alone. It is in your interests to take immediate action to learn about the best way to defend your long-term financial well-being. Regardless of the details of your individual situation, it is possible to pursue an outcome that allows you to address your tax audit concerns and possibly avoid some of the penalties you are facing. As soon as you receive notice of an audit, it’s time to learn about the legal options available to you.