{"id":354019,"date":"2017-08-16T12:26:28","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T17:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/tax-audit-defenses.html"},"modified":"2025-03-25T12:33:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T17:33:36","slug":"tax-audit-defenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/tax-audit-defenses.html","title":{"rendered":"Tax Audit Defense: Why Work with a Tax Attorney?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tax Audit Defense: Why Work with a Tax Attorney?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Tax audit defense services, provided by authorized professionals like CPAs, tax attorneys, or enrolled agents, offer crucial support during IRS audits. These services include representing you, handling communications, preparing documents, and negotiating on your behalf. Engaging a tax attorney is particularly beneficial for complex cases or when facing potential penalties. They are equipped to navigate the intricate details of tax law and IRS procedures, ensuring the best possible defense and outcome.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

When you file your income tax return<\/a>, the last thing you expect is an audit a few months (or years) later. Unfortunately, the IRS can randomly or intentionally select certain people’s tax returns for an audit.<\/p>\r\n

Even if you had an accountant or CPA do your taxes, you can still face an audit. The IRS may want to review your return or uncover mistakes or possible fraud. You may not even know the real reason for the audit. Either way, you cannot ignore an audit letter or audit notice<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Many tax professionals and tax preparation companies offer audit protection services<\/a> called "tax audit defense" to help deal with the audit process. Here, we’ll explain what the most common tax audit defenses are. We will also discuss whether hiring a tax expert or seeking legal advice is worth your time and money.<\/p>\r\n

What Are Tax Audit Defenses?<\/h2>\r\n

A tax audit defense ("tax audit representation<\/a>") refers to a service tax professionals and lawyers offer taxpayers and business owners during the audit process<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n

An audit defense membership or service provides taxpayers with a tax professional to represent them throughout the IRS tax audit process.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the services tax audit defenses offer include:<\/p>\r\n