IRS Audit Attorney for Utah Taxpayers & Business Owners
Get an attorney between you and the IRS, from the first notice through any appeal.
An IRS audit notice leaves you with a lot of open questions. What are they looking at? What do they want from you? How far will they go?
Being selected for an audit doesn’t necessarily mean you did anything wrong. An audit can end with no change, agreed changes, or changes you dispute. But what you send and when can determine how it goes.
Jordan F. Wilcox is an IRS audit attorney, and our team of legal experts represents Utah individuals and business owners during examinations. We review what the IRS is asking for, handle the communication, and keep the entire process organized so you’re never left guessing what to do next.
When Do You Need a Tax Attorney for an IRS Audit?
If the IRS is asking for documentation on a limited, straightforward issue, you and your tax preparer can likely handle it. Things change when the audit gets bigger or harder to predict.
For business owners, that can mean books, payroll, and several entities or years under review at once.
Consider hiring a tax attorney for the audit if:
A business or closely held company is being examined
An audit covers multiple years or entities
The IRS has already proposed significant tax or penalties
The IRS is questioning major income, deductions, or credits, and you disagree with its reading of the facts or the law
The examiner's questions are moving beyond what the notice listed
Fraud or another serious legal issue is in play
You need help with an appeal after an unfavorable result
A lot of money is at stake
An attorney can provide legal advice, and confidential communications made for the purpose of obtaining that advice are generally protected by attorney-client privilege. When the stakes are high, that protection and guidance can be invaluable.
Can a Tax Attorney Talk to the IRS for You?
Yes, talking to the IRS on your behalf is one of the key roles of an IRS audit attorney. Once you sign Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, an eligible attorney can speak with the IRS examiner, negotiate, and request your tax information on the matters you list.
In most audits, you won't have to attend an interview yourself unless the IRS formally summons you. Some questions may still need your input, but an attorney handles the back-and-forth.
What Happens If You Ignore an IRS Audit?
An IRS audit won't go away. If the IRS doesn't get the documents it asked for, the agency can work from what it already has. They use that information to propose changes to your return and calculate the tax they think you owe.
You'll then receive formal notices with the proposed changes and your appeal rights. Ignore those, too, and you can lose the chance to appeal them. A Notice of Deficiency can also start a limited window (generally 90 days) to go to Tax Court. Deadlines differ by notice, so go by the date on your letter.
The earlier you get help, the more say you have in how this goes.
How The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox Handle an IRS Audit
Our process keeps the audit streamlined and the IRS communication in our hands.
Review the Notice
We look at what the IRS is examining, the years involved, and your deadlines. Then we outline where things are. If the examination expands beyond the issues initially identified, we evaluate the new requests, the scope of the audit, and what response is required.
Take Over the IRS Contact
With your authorization in place, we gather and organize your records, prepare the responses, and communicate with the examiner on your behalf.
Handle What Comes After
If the IRS proposes changes, we go over your options, including appeal, and plan the next step if tax is assessed.
Talk with a Utah IRS Audit Attorney
It's much easier to handle an audit before deadlines pass and while options are still open.
Whether you're an individual or a business owner facing large proposed adjustments, a confidential consultation with an IRS audit law firm will show you what the IRS wants and how we'd handle it. Check pricing or contact the office to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
An audit, also called an examination, is the IRS checking that the income, deductions, and credits on your return are accurate. The IRS audit process involves:
- A notice or letter, which may list the items or records the IRS wants to see
- A review by mail or in person, at an IRS office, your home or business, or your representative's office
- Requests for documents and follow-up questions
The IRS examines your information before deciding whether to accept the return as-is or propose changes. The audit ends one of three ways: no change, changes you agree to, or changes you dispute.
During an IRS audit, read the notice first. Note the tax years, the issues, the documents requested, and your deadline. Gather the relevant records, keep copies of whatever you send, and respond on time. Never alter, destroy, or falsify records.
Answer truthfully, and don't guess when you're unsure. Stick to what the IRS is asking. If a question's purpose isn't clear, an attorney can help you decide how to respond.
You don't always need an attorney for an IRS audit. It becomes worth it when the audit reaches a business or several tax years, when the IRS is challenging complicated positions, when you dispute proposed changes, when there's serious legal risk, or when a lot of money is involved.
If you just got a notice, start with this checklist.
If you ignore an IRS audit, the agency proceeds without your input. It can propose changes based on what it has, and you can miss the deadlines to respond or appeal.
No, an IRS audit does not lead to liens or levies on its own. An audit is a review of a return. If it leads to additional tax that gets assessed, and you leave the balance unpaid, the case can move into IRS collection. In collections, a federal tax lien, bank levy, or wage garnishment becomes possible.
This does not happen automatically when the audit ends. You'd get separate notices and collection rights first. If you already owe, read more about IRS tax debt and penalty abatements.
In many cases, you can appeal audit results within the IRS. The steps and deadline depend on the notice and the details of your case. The IRS Independent Office of Appeals is separate from the examiners, and some disputes can go to court.