Audit Help From Pearson Butler

An Attorney Can Protect Your Financial Interests During an Audit

Facing an IRS investigation is one of the most stressful legal challenges an individual can encounter. A tax audit is an IRS investigation into your financial records, triggered by improper filing, inaccurate reporting, or discrepancies discovered in a tax return.

If the audit indicates no errors, no further action is required. If, however, the audit determines that incorrect information was reported, the taxpayer is responsible for locating and submitting any required documentation and paying any owed funds and applicable interest to the IRS. Ignoring the initial notice can lead to aggressive collections and severe penalties.

Why Individuals Trust Pearson Butler for Audit Defense

• 300+ Years of Collective Experience: Your defense is backed by the knowledge and institutional depth of nearly 40 legal professionals.
• Elite Recognition: Recognized with the AV Preeminent rating for ethical standards and legal ability and consistently named among the Utah Legal Elite.
• Full-Service Asset Protection: Our counsel is multi-disciplinary, ensuring your audit defense is coordinated with specialists in Estate Planning and Bankruptcy to protect personal assets and secure long-term financial stability.
• Expert Negotiators: We negotiate resolutions, utilizing options like Offer in Compromise (OIC), Penalty Abatement, and Appeals to minimize tax debt and structure manageable payment arrangements.
• Support Without Judgment: We provide competent, compassionate guidance throughout this high-stress process, helping you make sound financial decisions free from emotional pressure.

Facing a tax audit? Contact the audit professionals at Pearson Butler for immediate guidance at (800) 265-2314.

What Kinds of Audits Are There?

There are different types of tax audits the IRS may initiate, each requiring a tailored approach and specific defense strategy:

• Correspondence Audit: The most straightforward audit, managed via the postal service. The IRS sends a written request for specific documentation (receipts, checks) regarding a minor discrepancy.
• Office Audit: Occurs at the taxpayer's local IRS office. The IRS requests specific documents for an in-person audit to verify income and compliance.
• Field Audit: An IRS representative comes to the taxpayer's home, place of business, or tax preparer's office for a comprehensive, face-to-face investigation.
• Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program (TCMP) Audit: The most exacting process, requiring extensive investigation into the entire tax return, including substantiating all data with source documents (receipts, licenses, etc.).

Why Involve an Attorney Before & During the Audit Process?

An attorney's role extends far beyond preparing paperwork; we are your defense, advocate, and shield against the immense power of the IRS.

Protection and Control

A tax attorney protects your financial interests and rights by ensuring you maintain control of the process. Your lawyer will:

1. Serve as the Buffer: Intervene immediately as your legal representative, handling all communication directly with the IRS or the Revenue Officer.
2. Control Information Flow: Advise you on what specific documents need to be produced and—critically—ensure you do not give the IRS unnecessary documents or information unrelated to the investigation, preventing "fishing expeditions" that could lead to subsequent audits.
3. Ensure Rights Are Protected: Advise you on your taxpayer rights and, particularly during field and TCMP audits, be present during the auditing process to ensure compliance and ethical conduct.
4. Manage Lost Documentation: Advise you on what to do if requested receipts or documentation have been lost or cannot be located, using alternative methods of substantiation.

If you move forward without legal representation, the auditing process can be stopped at any time for you to obtain legal services. However, it is always better to seek counsel early to prevent problems before they escalate.

Resolving Tax Debt After the Audit

If the audit concludes that money is owed to the IRS, your lawyer can negotiate the terms of the reimbursement and appeal the findings to make the process more manageable. We utilize extensive knowledge of current tax laws and programs for negotiating debt settlement, including:

• Offer in Compromise (OIC): Negotiating to pay less than the full amount owed to settle the tax debt.
• Payment Arrangements: Structuring affordable Installment Agreements for monthly payments over a manageable term.
• Penalty Abatement: Working to reduce the amount owed to the IRS by requesting the removal of penalties.
• Innocent Spouse Relief: Providing defense and representation for a spouse who can demonstrate they should not be held responsible for the tax debt.
• Appeals: Challenging the audit findings through the IRS Appeals process.
• Bankruptcy Filing: Utilizing the complexities of IRS Bankruptcy Filing when necessary, leveraging the firm's robust Bankruptcy practice group.

Delivering Comprehensive Audit Counsel in Utah

Pearson Butler recognizes that each client comes with unique financial circumstances. Your employment status, income, tax debts, and financial limitations are all considered when developing a personalized course of action.

With extensive expertise, our tax lawyers provide clients across Utah with the legal protection necessary for dealing with any type of IRS or tax concern, including property liens, levies, off-shore bank accounts, and delinquent tax returns.

Call Pearson Butler at (800) 265-2314 or contact the firm online.