When the IRS comes knocking, it can be an incredibly stressful experience, especially when the stakes are high. When our TaxAudit members, Tommy and Ali, received an IRS notice requesting an additional $1 million in taxes, they were unsure where to turn. Fortunately, they remembered they had a TaxAudit Audit Defense membership!
The first thing Tommy and Ali did was call TaxAudit’s customer service phone number, and they were immediately connected with one of our representatives, Sarah. Sarah started a case, created an account for them in our secure messaging portal, and requested that the couple send in a copy of the IRS notice and the corresponding tax return. She informed them that, once the documents were received, their case would be moved forward to one of our tax professionals. Sarah also asked them to try not to worry and reassured them that we would be there to represent them every step of the way.
Tommy and Ali immediately sent in the requested documents and within 48 hours, the couple was assigned to one of our tax professionals, Rachel. She reviewed their initial documents, issued a POA, and scheduled a phone call.
During this phone call, Rachel informed Tommy and Ali that, according to the IRS notice, they had unreported W-2 income, as well as unreported real estate sales. That didn’t sound right to Tommy or Ali; they believed that they had properly reported everything on their tax return. To confirm this was true, Rachel requested some additional documents, such as W-2s, 1099s, and sales documents pertaining to their home.
After an extensive review of the documents, Rachel agreed with the couple. She gathered the documentation and drafted a letter to the IRS explaining why we believed the original return was filed correctly. The response was forwarded to our quality control team for review. Upon approval, it was then submitted to the IRS by our administrative services team.
Once the response was sent, Rachel reached back out to the couple to let them know that the IRS is typically slow to address taxpayer responses. However, she would be following up with them every 45-60 days. She also asked that Tommy and Ali be on the lookout for any additional notices from the IRS.
Over the next few months, Tommy and Ali received several letters from the IRS. Each letter confirmed that they had received a copy of the response. However, each letter also noted the IRS would need at least an additional 90 days to review the documentation. Unfortunately, with these additional days needed to review, this would drag the process out at least another 6-9 months.
These letters did not dissuade Rachel, however. Throughout the lengthy review period, Rachel maintained open lines of communication with Tommy and Ali via phone calls and messages through our portal. She also continued to remind them that, despite the delays, she believed they would owe $0 in additional tax. Additionally, she kept her promise of following up with the IRS every 45-60 days to check on the status and remind the IRS that these taxpayers were waiting on a response.
Finally, after months of diligent work and patient waiting, the breakthrough arrived. Tommy and Ali sent Rachel a message to let her know they had received a letter from the IRS stating that their case had been closed, with no additional amount due.
Rachel quickly confirmed this by logging onto the IRS website to review their account transcript. The good news was confirmed: their IRS account showed a zero-balance due, and the exam was officially closed!
Tommy and Ali’s experience is a powerful testament to the value of TaxAudit membership. As Tommy himself stated in his closing survey, Rachel was "professional, responsive, steadfast and proactive during the entire process. She made us feel confident that the situation was being handled appropriately. It was a great relief to finally get a satisfactory response."
This case perfectly illustrates how TaxAudit successfully helped save our taxpayer money by:
Providing expert representation: Rachel's knowledge of tax law was critical in preparing and submitting the correct documentation.
Organizing complex information: Dealing with IRS notices often involves gathering and presenting a significant amount of paperwork. TaxAudit streamlines this process.
Proactive communication and follow-up: We don't just send a response and hope for the best. We actively monitor cases, follow up with the IRS, and keep our members informed every step of the way.
Navigating IRS bureaucracy: The IRS can be slow, but our professionals are experienced in dealing with these delays and pushing for resolution.
Alleviating stress and anxiety: Knowing you have a dedicated tax professional fighting for you provides immense peace of mind.
Don't face the IRS alone. With TaxAudit, you have a team of experts ready to defend you and ensure you pay no more taxes than what you rightfully owe!
*Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.
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