IRS problems aren't as complicated as they look once you see the structure. I'm attorney Darrin Mish. I've represented taxpayers before the IRS for three decades \u2014 in Florida, Colorado, Texas, and internationally. Here's the plain-English breakdown.<\/p>\n
If you have to deal with the IRS, here are 7 rules you should follow: \u00a0Click here to read or watch more IRS Help resources.<\/a> IRS problems aren't as complicated as they look once you see the structure. I'm attorney Darrin Mish. I've represented taxpayers before the IRS for three decades \u2014 in Florida, Colorado, Texas, and internationally. Here's the plain-English breakdown. If you have to deal with the IRS, here are 7 rules you should follow: \u00a0Click here to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[28],"class_list":["post-17542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-irs-help","tag-irs-audit"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17542"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21975,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17542\/revisions\/21975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nRule #1: \u00a0Do not ignore the IRS
\nIf the IRS contacts you, you should never ignore them. \u00a0Doing so would only make things worse. \u00a0This would set off a series of responses from the IRS that starts with more notices and leads on to levies on your wages or bank account.
\nRule #2: \u00a0Don\u2019t overcommit
\nWhen you answer questions posed to you by the IRS, you should answer them succinctly and to-the-point. \u00a0Do not overcommit information that has not been required of you. \u00a0For example, if you are asked yes or no questions, you should answer \u2018yes\u2019 or \u2018no\u2019 without justifying your answers unnecessarily. \u00a0If you do, you might make the mistake of volunteering more information that leads to more issues for review.
\nRule #3: \u00a0Don\u2019t appear proud
\nYou should never look down on the IRS agent who deals with you. \u00a0The agent will report to his superior and draw a conclusion on your case. \u00a0You want to get him on your side rather than have him against you. \u00a0And try not to show any unhelpful emotions like fear, hostility, vindication, remorse etc. \u00a0Instead, remain calm and discuss your case rationally.
\nRule #4: \u00a0Don\u2019t be hasty to pay up
\nIf you receive an IRS notice in the mail, you should not immediately send a check because the IRS could be wrong in their assessment. \u00a0Furthermore, paying prematurely could jeopardize your position. \u00a0It\u2019s best to review the situation and clarify your tax returns or negotiate a payment plan on your dues. \u00a0But once you arrive at a payment plan agreement, you need to abide by it.
\nRule #5: \u00a0Have documentary evidence
\nThe most important thing you can have to prove your case is sufficient documentary evidence. \u00a0Even if you have not kept complete records, often your expenses can be reconstructed to some extent. \u00a0For instance, it is common for the IRS to question your mileage claims. \u00a0Even if you have not kept a detailed record of your travels, you may use expenses like oil changes that show mileage to reconstruct your distance traveled.
\nRule #6: \u00a0Ask questions
\nYou should ask questions to discover your options. \u00a0The IRS agent will be more than willing to clue you in. \u00a0Some questions might include, \u201cHow can I appeal this?\u201d or \u201cWhat am I allowed to do in this case?\u201d
\nRule #7: \u00a0Hire a tax professional
\nIt pays to engage a professional like a tax attorney, CPA or enrolled agent who will answer questions for you in a face-to-face audit.<\/a> \u00a0If you can\u2019t afford that, opt for one of the IRS\u2019s tax clinics for low-income taxpayers. \u00a0Find out more at www.irs.gov.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"