Who Will Lead your Audit Team?

Prior to making a decision on team leadership, you must pick a team. What are your choices?

Will it just be you, head of the family and business? Will it be you and your accountant? Do you need legal representation as a part of your team?

Why would you decide to represent yourself to deal with the IRS audit? 95% of taxpayers who represent themselves do so believing they have fairly paid and presented their tax obligation to the federal government. They consider it a waste of money to pay their accountant or lawyer because they are not aware of any tax filing problems. To use an old phrase, this is the equivalent of taking a knife to a gunfight! Taxpaying Americans do not understand they bear the burden of proving themselves not guilty of underpaying taxes. As Americans we pride ourselves that we are innocent until proven guilty when dealing with legal matters. The reverse is true by law when dealing with the federal tax code. Each and every taxpayer is guilty until they prove otherwise. The burden of proof is squarely placed upon them and their families. An auditor can ask an unending string of questions to challenge the taxpayer. The IRS agent receives no bonus points when they report the audit they performed did not yield any increased revenue to the federal piggy bank. The Treasury Department has represented to Congress their audit efforts will produce a 10:1 return. Returning to the Treasury Department office displaying nothing means the next audit victim must bring in 20:1 to satisfy his bosses.

There is no I in tax team. The first person a taxpayer should relieved of duty upon receiving an audit notice is themselves! This article title asks who will lead your tax team. Making the decision to not lead your team is paramount to having a shot to prevail and avoid paying extra taxes, even if you are a member of the 63% of filers that do not unlawfully pay your taxes.

Only you can choose your tax team’s captain. Our goal is to arm you with information so that you can arrive and make the decision best for you and your family. Decide who is on your team before turning over the responsibility to a leader. Stay tuned for part 2 of choosing a team and team leader!