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What if You Get Audited?

Submitted by Shoemaker Financial on January 2nd, 2020
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“Audit” is a word that can strike fear into the hearts of taxpayers.

However, the chances of an Internal Revenue Service audit aren’t that high. In 2017, the most recent statistics available, show the IRS audited 0.5% of all individual tax returns.1

Being audited does not necessarily imply that the IRS suspects wrongdoing. The IRS says that an audit is just a formal review of a tax return to ensure information is being reported according to current tax law and to verify that the information itself is accurate.

Remember, this article is for informational purposes only, and is not a replacement for real-life advice. So make sure to consult your tax, legal and accounting professionals before modifying your tax strategy.

The IRS selects returns for audit using three main methods.

Random Selection. Some returns are chosen at random based on the results of a statistical formula.

Information Matching. The IRS compares reports from payers – W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms from banks and brokerages, and others – to the returns filed by taxpayers. Those that don’t match may be examined further.

Related Examinations. Some returns are selected for an audit because they involve issues or transactions with other taxpayers whose returns have been selected for examination.

There are a number of sound tax practices that may reduce the chances of an audit.

Provide Complete Information. Among the most commonly overlooked information is missing Social Security numbers – including those for any dependent children and exspouses.

Avoid Math Errors. When the IRS receives a return that contains math errors, it assesses the error and sends a notice without following its normal deficiency procedures.

Match Your Statements. The numbers on any W-2 and 1099 forms must match the returns to which they are tied. Those that don’t match may be flagged for an audit.

Don’t Repeat Mistakes. The IRS remembers those returns it has audited. It may check to make sure past errors aren’t repeated.

Keep Complete Records. This won’t reduce the chance of an audit, but it potentially may make it much easier to comply with IRS requests for documentation.


1 https://www.irs.gov/statistics/enforcement-examinations

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Securian Financial Services. Member FINRA/SIPC. Shoemaker Financial is independently owned and operated. Shoemaker Financial 2176 West Street, Suite 100, Germantown, TN 38138. Neither Securian Financial Services, Inc. nor Shoemaker Financial are affiliated with Platinum Advisor Marketing Strategies, LLC. No. 2846993 DOFU 11.26.19

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Disclaimer

Shoemaker Financial is independently owned and operated and offers its own suite of products and services entirely independent of Securian. 

Certain individuals associated with Shoemaker Financial are registered with and offer securities and investment advisory services through Securian Financial Services, Inc. ("Securian"), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA / SIPC. Individuals registered with Securian are authorized to offer only those securities and investment advisory services that have been specifically approved by Securian. FINRA's Broker Check contains additional information about registered individuals and also indicates whether they are registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives. You may also refer to their individual bio pages on this website to find their registration status. Not all registered persons are registered as investment advisor representatives.  Only registered persons who are registered as investment advisor representatives use titles “advisor” or “financial advisor” and provide advisory services. For further questions about which individuals associated with Shoemaker Financial are registered with Securian, as well as information about which securities and investment advisory services such individuals are authorized to offer on Securian's behalf, please contact Securian at 1-800-820-4205. 

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