Types of Tax Audits
Explains the different types of IRS audits, including correspondence, office, and field audits, and the Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program.
Facing an audit from the IRS can be a frightening reality but, with the help of an experienced tax lawyer, it doesn’t have to be. You can feel prepared and confident on the day of your audit by receiving legal advice and planning from Lana Kurilova Rich in the Bellevue area. Attorney Rich has been helping people navigate a tax audit for decades, and can answer your questions and give you the confidence you want on this important day. Don’t put your business or freedom in jeopardy, contact the law office of Lana Kurilova Rich for comprehensive knowledge regarding tax law and audit preparation.
Different Kinds of Audits
There are different kinds of audits, and each kind requires a different preparation plan. When you first receive an audit notification, it is important to determine what kind of audit for which you should prepare, gather proper documents, and consult with your tax attorney for important legal advice. For some types of audits, it is highly advisable that you have a lawyer present to ensure that your rights and your business are protected. You may receive notification for the following types of audits:
- Correspondence Audit: a low-level audit that will request more information regarding a specific area of the taxpayer’s business, such as checks, payroll, etc. It is conducted via mail.
- Office Audit: taxpayer is requested to gather certain information and attend a personal interview at the local IRS agency.
- Field Audit: an audit in which an IRS agent will come to the taxpayer’s place of business to conduct an investigation.
- Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program (TCMP) Audit: the most extensive and thorough type of audit, in which every aspect of a taxpayer’s business is investigated.
If you have received notice of an audit, it is in your best interest to seek legal counsel. It is very highly recommended that you have a knowledgeable tax lawyer present for both the “field” and “TCMP” audits. This does not mean that you should underestimate the seriousness of a correspondence or office audit. If you do not prepare enough or present your business’ information well, the IRS may notify you of a more serious audit or penalize you and your business for poor record keeping.
Get in Touch With a Tax Attorney in Washignton
The IRS gives you time to prepare, be sure you have made good use of that time by speaking with a tax attorney in Washington about preparing for a pending audit. Attorney Rich and associates are not only a law firm specializing in tax law, we are accountants and bookkeepers with decades of experience. If you are prepared, you and your business may not suffer any consequences. Call Lana Kurilova Rich, PLLC at 425-289-0629. You are invited to travel to our office and speak with us in-person. If this is not possible, all work can be done entirely over the phone, through videoconferencing, or through e-mail. Let us know what works best for you and we will accommodate.
About Attorney Lana Kurilova Rich
- Washington tax attorney since 2003: Lana Kurilova Rich has been admitted to the Washington State Bar since 2003 and has focused her practice on tax law since opening Lana Kurilova Rich, PLLC the same year.
- Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.): Lana earned her LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007 in addition to her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2003.
- Former Court of Appeals law clerk: Lana served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Elaine Houghton of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II.
- Bilingual: English and Russian: Born and raised in Russia, Lana is fluent in Russian and licensed to practice law in the Russian Federation in addition to Washington State.
- Federal, state, and international scope: Lana represents clients before the IRS, Washington State agencies (DOR, ESD, and L&I), and on cross-border tax matters including FBAR and Form 8938 compliance.
- Direct attorney communication: Clients work directly with Lana Kurilova Rich, not a routing desk. Calls and emails are returned promptly throughout the engagement.
- Pro bono Low Income Taxpayer Clinic: Lana has volunteered with the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic since 2006, helping qualifying taxpayers resolve IRS disputes at no cost.
- Integrated tax preparation and bookkeeping: The firm provides federal and state tax preparation alongside legal representation, reducing handoffs and accelerating resolution.
We invite you to contact our Bellevue, Washington, law office today by phone or by e-mail to discuss your case with our experienced tax lawyer. We are here to help.