Finances

It's a moment every person dreads. You pick up the mail and there is an envelope from the IRS. It's not a refund check. What do you do?

Don't Panic

Each year, the IRS sends out millions of "correspondence audits" to taxpayers to request payment of taxes, notify them of a change to their account or request additional information. These audits normally cover a very specific issue, often notifying you of additional small amounts of income for which you owe tax. Each letter and notice provides specific instructions explaining what you should do if action is necessary to satisfy the inquiry.

Sometimes, the IRS sends a second letter or notice requesting additional information or providing additional information to you. Be sure to keep copies of any correspondence with your records. The IRS has been known to lose track of actions involving a taxpayer's account.

Worse Case Scenario

Everybody has a few really bad days in his or her life. You know, the car breaks down, you spill coffee on your shirt while driving to work? you get notice of a full blown audit from the IRS. The first step you take should not be drinking to excess or driving for the border. You have rights when the IRS comes calling and one of them is particularly important.

Representation

You have the right to be represented by an accountant or attorney at your audit. Under no conditions should you even consider going to an audit by yourself. Doing so would be like throwing red meat to a lion. Instead, spend the money to get representation and let them handle the audit. In most cases, you won't even have to go to the audit.

Nightmarish tax audits are generally a thing of the past. A letter from the IRS should not cause you to faint. Usually, the news isn't that bad. If it is, hire representation and let them handle it.