Articles on IRS Audits, Notices & Appeals
Plain-English guides written by a former IRS attorney and Appeals Officer. Bookmark this page — new articles are added regularly.
New to IRS audits? Read these three first.
The three foundational articles that will give you a complete picture of how an audit works before you go deeper.
What Triggers an IRS Audit?
Why your return was picked — DIF scores, 1099 mismatches, deductions that look off, and ten other common triggers.
Read article →What Happens During an IRS Audit?
A step-by-step walkthrough from the first notice through closing letter — and what each stage means for your case.
Read article →How to Respond to an IRS Audit Letter
The six steps to take in the first 30 days — and the costly mistakes most taxpayers make before they ever pick up the phone.
Read article →Latest Article
Fresh off the deskWhat Happens During an IRS Audit? A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
A plain-English walkthrough of what actually happens when the IRS audits your return — from the first notice through Appeals.
Audit Defense
6 articles →What Triggers an IRS Audit? 10 Common Reasons Returns Get Picked
The most common reasons the IRS selects a tax return for audit — from DIF scores and 1099 mismatches to cash businesses and ERC claims.
IRS Audit Timeline: How Long Does an IRS Audit Take?
How long an IRS audit takes by type — from a 3-month correspondence audit to a multi-year field audit — plus what speeds things up and what drags them out.
The 3 Types of IRS Audits Explained
Correspondence audits, office audits, and field audits are three very different IRS examinations — each with its own format, scope, and the strategy that works to defend it.
IRS Statute of Limitations on Audits: 3-Year, 6-Year, and Forever Rules
How long the IRS has to audit your return — the 3-year general rule, the 6-year substantial-omission rule, the no-statute fraud and unfiled-return rules, and Form 872 consents.
Do I Need a Tax Attorney for an IRS Audit?
When you can handle an IRS audit yourself, when a CPA is enough, and when you should call a tax attorney — plus why attorney-client privilege matters more than you think.
Dealing With a Difficult IRS Auditor
When your return gets audited, you usually cannot pick the auditor — but you can change how the audit is conducted. Strategies for handling a hostile IRS agent.
IRS Notices
3 articles →How to Respond to an IRS Audit Letter (The Right Way)
Six steps for responding to an IRS audit letter: confirm it’s real, identify the notice, calendar deadlines, pull transcripts, decide on representation, and respond in writing.
IRS Notice of Deficiency (90-Day Letter): What It Means and How to Respond
A Notice of Deficiency is your 90-day ticket to U.S. Tax Court. What it means, how to recognize one, and the three options you have once it arrives.
IRS Notice CP2000: What It Means and How to Respond
A CP2000 is the IRS’s Automated Underreporter notice. Here’s what it actually means, why these notices are often wrong, and how to respond by the 30-day deadline.
Appeals & Litigation
2 articles →Tax Court vs. Paying and Filing for Refund: Choosing the Right Forum
Tax Court, District Court, or the Court of Federal Claims — each forum has different procedures and very different consequences. How to choose.
How to Appeal an IRS Audit: The 30-Day Letter and Beyond
A step-by-step guide to appealing an IRS audit — from the 30-day letter to Appeals conference to a Tax Court petition — written by a former IRS Appeals Officer.
Penalties & Collections
2 articles →IRS Audit Penalties: What They Are and How to Fight Them
A plain-English guide to the penalties the IRS can assess after an audit — accuracy, fraud, late-filing, valuation, and trust fund — plus three defenses that work.
IRS Collections Process: From Audit Adjustment to Levy
After the audit closes, Collection takes over. The full sequence — assessment, notices, CDP rights, liens, and levies — and how to push back.
The full playbook — in one place.
These articles are a sample. Win Your IRS Audit is the complete strategy guide — written by a former IRS attorney who has defended hundreds of audits.
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The complete 200+ page playbook on how to defend an IRS audit — from the first notice through Appeals.
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Kreig Mitchell is available for interviews, podcasts, and expert commentary on IRS audit and tax controversy topics.
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