It may not have happened yet, but you could be audited by the IRS or a state taxation authority. Would you gather your files and head to the IRS office to discuss the issues and assume that everything will be cleared up? If you were in a civil dispute in court, would you go in front of a judge without the experience of a qualified attorney? A negative result in your examination hearing could cost you just as much in penalties and interest as a verdict against you in the civil trial.

Alan has represented clients in front of the IRS and state authorities in many cases during his years in practice, and understands the process and the best methods for obtaining a positive result in your particular situation. He has established a methodology for this representation service that maximizes your chances for a successful resolution to your circumstances. We’ll review a few of the topics that are integral to this service and how the overall process works.

When a client receives a Notice of Examination, the CPA immediately goes to work by discussing the particulars of the case with the client, and then formulates a response to the notice that is sent to the IRS. This response will outline the specifics of the case from the client’s perspective and may request a meeting with the IRS agent to further discuss the case. At the same time, the accountant will request that the client sign a power of attorney statement allowing the CPA to fully represent the client in front of the IRS.

During the meetings and negotiations with the IRS, the CPA will act on the client’s behalf, without the need for the client’s presence during this process. We do this for several reasons. Sometimes a client’s emotional involvement with the case can lead to a confrontational situation with the IRS authorities. The CPA is less emotionally affected by the proceedings and is therefore capable of acting in the client’s best interest. Another advantage to this approach is that it allows the CPA to be more candid with the examiner in an attempt to best represent the client.