When the IRS decides to examine a taxpayer's accounts and financial data to make sure they have complied with all tax regulations and declared all necessary income, this is known as an audit.
When the IRS decides to examine a taxpayer's accounts and financial data to make sure they have complied with all tax regulations and declared all necessary income, this is known as an audit. (Photo : by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project)
The Transactional Records Access Clearing house at Syracuse University reported in 2023 that for the fiscal year 2022, the IRS audited 3.8 out of every 1,000 returns, or 0.38% of the total, which is a decrease from 0.41% in 2021. Still, a lot of taxpayers live in constant terror of receiving a letter from the government challenging certain things listed on their tax forms.
In principle, the IRS can start an audit up to three years after the filing date, or up to six years if it discovers a significant error.
Discover the warning signs that may indicate a tax audit and what you can do to stay out of trouble with the IRS by reading on.
You Did Not Disclose All of Your Earnings
W-2 forms and 1099s detailing your income are not just sent to you; copies are also sent to the IRS. In the event that the figures disagree, the IRS will contact you.
Make sure you don't overlook any W-2s or 1099s as you compile your tax documents before filing, particularly if you worked as a freelancer for many employers or changed employment in the middle of the year.
Eliminating any amount of money from a taxpayer's return is the best approach to ensure that they receive a letter from the IRS. The IRS may readily compare the income reported on tax returns with the information provided by brokers, banks, employers, and other sources. For many people who have started second part-time employment or side projects, this is an honest error.
Save these documents for an extended period of time. Recall that if the IRS discovers a significant error, it has up to six years to start an audit.
Remember to include any income you report on Form K-1 as well. Income and other things from S-corporations, partnerships, LLCs, trusts, and estates are reported on Form K-1.
Because they fear an audit may result from the write-off, many people are reluctant to claim the home office deduction. Not all remote workers are qualified for this benefit, but it may be a useful respite to help with the setup and upkeep costs of a home office. Only self-employed or independent contractor individuals are eligible to claim the home office deduction.
You must utilize a portion of your house "regularly and exclusively" for business in order to be eligible. Your workplace must be in a room in your house where you don't do anything else, even if it isn't a dedicated space. Additionally, the location must be your primary place of business or a frequent meeting spot for patients or clients.
Depending on the part of your house that you use as an office, you can deduct your real costs, which may include utilities, renters' or homeowners' insurance, and a percentage of your mortgage interest. Document each and every one of those costs.
You Disclosed Business Setbacks
When you own a business, you may deduct a lot of costs, but the IRS wants to make sure you didn't create a dubious corporation in order to take advantage of the deductions.
Even if your firm is just getting started, there may be years when costs exceed revenue, but if it never turns a profit, the IRS will take notice. Businesses that consistently report net losses or that seem to barely break even are audit red flags.
The IRS views your firm as a business, not a hobby, if it has turned a profit in three of the last five years.
Taxpayers may still deduct business losses even if their company doesn't meet the three-of-five-year profit (rule); nevertheless, they will need to provide evidence of a profit motive.
Maintain thorough documentation of your business strategies and spending. It must be a company if someone is claiming deductions for a side gig.
