IRS Audit
IRS Definition
An IRS audit is a review/examination of an organization’s or individual’s accounts and financial information to ensure information is reported correctly according to the tax laws and to verify the reported amount of tax is correct.
More about IRS audits from H&R Block
When the IRS audits your return, it is looking at accuracy. There are three types of audits:
Mail audits are the most common type of audit. In fact, three out of four IRS audits are conducted by mail. The IRS will ask you to substantiate (prove) the items in question by sending documents to a tax examiner in an IRS Service Center.
Office audits are done in person. In an office audit, you’ll meet with a tax compliance officer (auditor) at an IRS office. He or she will interview you. You should provide information and documents to the auditor to prove the income and items you reported on your return.
Field audits are the most in-depth of all. These audits take the most time and effort to complete. The IRS will visit your home or business and examine your returns for accuracy. These audits can be comprehensive. The IRS may investigate your lifestyle and finances to see if you reported all your income on your return. The IRS generally uses field audits to examine higher-wealth individuals, businesses, and specialty tax situations, such as a trust or employment tax return.
Worried about getting into serious trouble from not paying your taxes? Learn more about going to jail for tax evasion.
Get help from an IRS expert
H&R Block’s experts can solve any IRS problem, no matter how complex.
Related Information
Learn what the IRS is looking for during an audit, the steps you should take to prepare for an IRS audit, and when it's best to get expert help.
Get the facts about IRS mail audits from the tax experts at H&R Block. Learn how to respond and how long you can expect the audit to last.
Find out how long the IRS has to audit your return, when most audits normally start, and how to know if you've been selected for audit.
Separate fact from fiction when it comes to IRS audits. Learn what causes tax audits, what happens during an audit, and what to do if you get an IRS letter.
How long you can expect your IRS audit to last depends on the type of audit and the scope. Learn how to efficiently wrap up an audit from the tax experts at H&R Block.
Learn the three main benefits of engaging a power of attorney to research your IRS account and resolve your tax problems. Get the facts from the experts at H&R Block.
Get the facts from H&R Block about the four types of IRS penalty relief, and which IRS penalty relief option may be best for your situation.