IRS audits – how frequently are they really conducted? According to the IRS’ recently released audit statistics for the 2022 fiscal year, fewer taxpayers had their returns examined as compared to previous years. However, despite a smaller percentage of returns selected for audits these days, that will provide little comfort if yours happens to be one of them.

Recent Statistics For IRS Audits

However, audits are expected to be on the rise in coming months because the Biden administration has made it a priority to go after high-income taxpayers who don’t pay what they legally owe. In any event, the IRS will examine thousands of returns this year. With proper planning, you may fare well even if you’re one of the unfortunate ones.

Be Ready

The easiest way to survive an IRS audit is to prepare in advance. On a regular basis, you should systematically maintain documentation — invoices, bills, canceled checks, receipts, or other proof — for all items reported on your tax returns.

Keep in mind that if you’re chosen, it’s possible you didn’t do anything wrong. Just because a return is selected for audit doesn’t mean that an error was made. Some returns are randomly selected based on statistical formulas. For example, IRS computers compare income and deductions on returns with what other taxpayers report. If an individual deducts a charitable contribution that’s significantly higher than what others with similar incomes report, the IRS may want to know why.

Returns also can be selected if they involve issues or transactions with other taxpayers who were previously selected for audit, such as business partners or investors.

The government generally has three years from when a tax return is filed to conduct an IRS audit, and often the exam won’t begin until a year or more after you file a return.

Tax Return Complexity

The scope of an IRS audit generally depends on whether it’s simple or complex. A return reflecting business or real estate income and expenses will obviously take longer to examine than a return with only salary income.

In FY 2022, most examinations (78.6%) were ‘correspondence audits’ conducted by mail. The rest were face-to-face audits conducted at an IRS office or ‘field audits’ at the taxpayers’ homes, businesses, or accountants’ offices.

Important: Even if you’re chosen, an IRS examination may be nothing to lose sleep over. In many cases, the IRS asks for proof of certain items and routinely ‘closes’ the audit after the documentation is presented.

Get Professional Help

It’s crucial to have a tax professional represent you at an audit. A tax pro knows the issues that the IRS is likely to scrutinize and can prepare accordingly. In addition, a professional knows that in many instances IRS auditors will take a position (for example, to disallow certain deductions) even though courts and other guidance have expressed contrary opinions on the issues. Because pros can point to the proper authority, the IRS may be forced to concede on certain issues.

Contact us if you receive an IRS audit letter or simply want to improve your recordkeeping.