Tax Audit Help that Makes a Difference

April 15th has passed and you don't have to think about taxes for another year, right? Well not exactly. The IRS has plans to increase individual tax audits so you might be hearing from them sooner than you think.

According to the IRS, individual audits have increased by 75 percent between fiscal year 2001 and 2006. If you get an audit notice, you might feel worried and overwhelmed.

An audit can be conducted either via mail or in-person interview:

1) Mail
The IRS may have questions about information they found on your return. If they decide to contact you by mail, they will send a letter requesting additional information. About one-third of IRS tax audits are in the form of letters asking for explanations of various tax items on a tax return or supporting documentation.

2) Interview
The traditional procedure for a tax audit is face-to-face contact with an IRS auditor. During the interview, the auditor might request to go through any or all lines of your tax return.

"People who have really good tax records might be able to work through an audit on their own. But for the majority of Americans, their records are sub par, making an audit a tense situation," says Ralph Havens, director of professional services for JK Harris and Company, LLC, the nation's largest tax resolution company that specializes in audit representation.

"Do you really want to go toe-to-toe with the IRS or would you like to have a professional on your side to help you through the process?" asks Havens, who is also head of the JK Harris audit representation department.

For this reason, many people choose to work with a tax professional. JK Harris, for example, has served more than 200,000 people and has more than 425 locations across the United States where consumers can meet with a company representative by appointment only.

If you've received an audit notice, you can meet for a free consultation with a JK Harris sales consultant in your area. Visit www.JKHarris.com to call for an appointment or fill out a short consultation request form and schedule a meeting with a consultant who will develop a personalized strategy to settle your tax case. You'll get peace of mind knowing that a knowledgeable professional is working on your audit to make sure you get the best possible outcome.

"Even if you think you've been absolutely honest and filed everything correctly, meeting with the IRS can be an intimidating experience by yourself. It's important to get the help you need," adds Havens.

Schedule a free audit consultation by visiting www.JKHarris.com and learn how you can resolve your tax issues today.

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