When Does The IRS Audit Someone?

Introduction

As a taxpayer, one of the most stressful situations you can encounter is being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An audit is an examination of your tax returns and financial records to ensure that you have reported your income and deductions accurately. While the thought of being audited can be daunting, it is essential to understand when the IRS audits someone.

This article will provide a comprehensive guide to help you understand the different scenarios that may trigger an audit, the factors that increase the likelihood of being audited, and how to avoid an IRS audit.

Random Selection

One of the ways the IRS selects individuals for an audit is through random selection. The IRS uses a computer program to select tax returns randomly for examination. This process is entirely random, and there is no specific reason why your tax return was chosen.

Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid a random audit. However, it is essential to ensure that your tax returns are accurate and truthful. The IRS may decide to expand the audit if they find discrepancies in your returns, which can lead to more significant problems.

Factors that Increase the Likelihood of Being Selected

While a random audit is entirely out of your control, some factors increase the likelihood of being selected for an audit. These factors include:

High Income

Individuals with high incomes are more likely to be audited than those with lower incomes. The IRS believes that individuals with higher incomes are more likely to have complex tax returns, which may contain errors or discrepancies.

Self-Employment

If you are self-employed, you are more likely to be audited than if you are an employee. The IRS believes that self-employed individuals are more likely to overstate their business expenses or underreport their income.

Filing Late or Not at All

If you file your tax returns late or not at all, you are more likely to be audited. The IRS believes that individuals who do not file their tax returns on time may have something to hide and are more likely to have discrepancies in their returns.

Claiming Large Deductions

Individuals who claim large deductions are more likely to be audited than those who do not. The IRS believes that large deductions may indicate that an individual is trying to reduce their tax liability illegally.

In conclusion, understanding when the IRS audits someone is crucial to avoid potential problems. While some factors increase the likelihood of being audited, it is essential to ensure that your tax returns are accurate and truthful. In the next section, we will discuss how document matching can trigger an audit.

Document Matching

Another way the IRS selects individuals for an audit is through document matching. The IRS matches the information reported on your tax return with the information provided by your employer, financial institutions, and other third parties. This process ensures that the information on your tax return is accurate and truthful.

Examples of discrepancies that may trigger an audit include:

Unreported Income

If you fail to report all of your income, the IRS may suspect that you are trying to evade taxes. The IRS may also find discrepancies if you report less income than what your employer reported on your W-2 form.

Incorrect Deductions

If the deductions you claim on your tax return do not match the documents provided by your employer or other third parties, the IRS may suspect that you are trying to reduce your tax liability illegally.

Foreign Bank Accounts

If you have a foreign bank account, you are required to report it on your tax return. Failure to report a foreign bank account can trigger an audit and result in severe penalties.

It is essential to ensure that the information on your tax return matches the documents provided by your employer and other third parties. If you receive any tax forms that contain incorrect information, you should contact the issuer and request a corrected form.

Large or Unusual Deductions

Claiming large or unusual deductions may also trigger an audit. While claiming deductions is a legitimate way to reduce your tax liability, claiming too many or claiming deductions that are not allowed can raise red flags for the IRS.

Examples of deductions that may raise red flags include:

Home Office Deductions

If you claim a home office deduction, the IRS may want to verify that you are eligible for the deduction. The IRS may request to see documentation that proves that you use your home office exclusively for business purposes.

Business Expenses

If you claim a significant amount of business expenses, the IRS may want to verify that the expenses are legitimate. The IRS may request to see documentation, such as receipts and invoices, that proves that the expenses were necessary and directly related to your business.

It is essential to keep accurate records of your deductions and ensure that you can prove that the deductions are legitimate. If you are unsure whether a deduction is allowed or not, you should consult with a tax professional.

In conclusion, being audited by the IRS can be a stressful experience. Understanding when the IRS audits someone and what triggers an audit can help you avoid potential problems. By ensuring that your tax returns are accurate and truthful, you can reduce the likelihood of being audited.

Business Expenses

Another factor that may trigger an IRS audit is business expenses. Business expenses are expenses incurred in the course of running a business and are usually tax-deductible. However, some individuals may try to claim fraudulent business expenses to reduce their tax liability illegally.

The IRS closely scrutinizes business expenses, especially those that seem unusual or excessive. Examples of fraudulent business expenses include claiming personal expenses as business expenses, inflating the cost of goods sold, or claiming a home office deduction when there is no actual home office.

It is essential to keep accurate records and receipts to support your business expenses. If your business expenses are legitimate, you have nothing to worry about.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is critical to understand when the IRS audits someone to avoid potential problems. The IRS may audit your tax returns randomly, or they may select you for an audit based on certain factors. Factors that increase the likelihood of being audited include high income, self-employment, filing late or not at all, and claiming large deductions.

The IRS may also scrutinize your tax returns if they find discrepancies in the documents they receive, such as W-2s and 1099s, or if they suspect fraudulent business expenses. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your tax returns are accurate and truthful and that you keep accurate records and receipts to support your deductions.

In summary, being audited by the IRS can be a stressful experience. However, by understanding when the IRS audits someone and taking the necessary steps to ensure that your tax returns are accurate and truthful, you can avoid potential problems and protect yourself from unnecessary stress.