Many people worry about audits without knowing just how many audits the IRS performs each year. The numbers show that the IRS audits hundreds of thousands of people and businesses each year.
All signs show that the IRS will continue to issue hundreds of thousands of audits every year. That is one reason why so many people depend on professional audit representation.
Of course, audit representation also provides a long list of benefits that not everybody is aware of. Read on to learn all about the most important advantages that come with getting professional representation during an IRS audit!
1. Save Time During an IRS Audit
Most people have not managed an IRS audit before. Even if they are capable of handling one, it will take them much longer to figure out how to do it their first time.
However, there are many experts out there who have managed many IRS audits for businesses of all kinds. They will be able to manage each step in the audit process with maximum efficiency and speed.
In some cases, that just means getting everything done before important deadlines arrive. However, that can also mean avoiding fines and other penalties that can come with responding to the audit process without sufficient speed.
2. Avoid Costly Mistakes in the Audit Process
An IRS audit will often present you with many chances to make costly mistakes. Preparing forms in the wrong way or submitting them in the wrong way can lead to extra costs.
Getting things wrong can sometimes lead the IRS to think you are hiding something. The more mistakes you make, the more likely they are to pay special attention to your case.
On top of that, some people have strong emotions about dealing with the IRS. That sometimes leads them to be less than professional with IRS agents. Although this does not break any laws, it can lead to auditors exercising their discretion to make the process less pleasant.
Whether you have a good reason or not to have negative feelings about being audited, the most effective strategy is to maintain courtesy and professionalism. If there is any chance that someone involved in the audit process will slip up in this way, it can be safer to hire a professional to help you.
Not only will they have a lot of experience dealing with the IRS, but they will not have any personal stake in your specific audit. Their only concern will be to provide you with the best possible outcome for your IRS audit.
3. Enjoy Professional Expertise During Tax Audits
The tax system is famous for being complicated. That complexity is a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, people often make mistakes by accident. On the other hand, if you know the system in enough detail, you can often take advantage of obscure rules and exceptions to help an audit resolve in the best way possible.
The more experience the tax professional you hire has, the more likely it is that they have discovered many techniques in their career that help them achieve the best outcome for their clients. The more difficult your audit is, the more you might be able to benefit from the leeway that a tax professional might be able to get for you.
4. Play It Safe During a Business Audit
Many things are complicated, but IRS audits combined complexity with high stakes. That is part of what makes them so stressful.
In other situations, making a simple mistake is a small concern that you can resolve without serious consequences. But when it comes to the IRS, every mistake can cost you a significant amount.
During an audit, you need to be even more careful to avoid errors than you typically are. The unfortunate truth is that most people actually generate more errors when dealing with a situation as stressful as an audit.
When things are tight, the wrong mistake can sink a company. When you need to avoid every error possible, you should turn to the professionals.
5. Enjoy Privacy During a Company Audit
Without a professional on your side, auditors will often come to your place of business to gather information and ask questions. When you hire a professional to represent you, auditors will often have to visit your representative’s place of business instead.
That can provide you with as much privacy as you can get while going through an IRS audit. It can mean fewer interruptions in the workplace, allowing business to proceed as usual.
But how can you make sure that you hire the right professionals to represent you during an audit? You should look for a professional that has the right kind of experience.
The more cases similar to your own that a tax professional has managed, the more likely their experience is to help them achieve a satisfactory resolution for your audit.
You may also want to look at ratings and reviews online to help you assess a candidate.
You can also ask about how busy a tax professional you are considering is. Even if they are the right professional in general, they may not be the right choice right now if they have too many clients to give you their full attention.
Understand the Importance of Hiring a Professional for Your Audit Representation
There are few things as stressful as managing an audit from the IRS. That stress often leads individuals and business leaders to make mistakes. You can maximize your chance of an acceptable resolution by finding the right professional for your audit representation.
To learn more about the benefits of proper audit representation or to speak with experts on IRS audits, reach out and get in touch with us at any time!
