If you are notified that you will be audited, take it seriously but don’t panic. First, read the letter from the IRS carefully and figure out what you are being asked to do. It may be as simple as signing your return. There are three basic types of audits, and the letter will explain which one applies to you:

• A Correspondence Audit is for minor mistakes. A letter from the IRS will tell you what documentation to send them through the mail. Once the IRS is satisfied that it has the correct paperwork, the matter will be closed.
• A Field Audit is one in which the auditor comes to your business or home to verify the accuracy of your return. This type of audit is usually done if the return is complicated and involves business operations. If your records are neat and in order, it will suggest to the auditor that you are a conscientious business person
• An Office Audit requires that you physically appear on a specific date and time at an IRS facility and bring your documentation. Bring only the documents asked for.
  Otherwise, you will leave yourself open to an examination of all your records, even if they are not in dispute. If you are unable to keep a scheduled audit appointment, phone and reschedule as soon as possible.

Do I Need Professional Help?
Probably. Taxation is very complicated and technical, and you will benefit from having an expert on your side. If you had an attorney or CPA prepare your return, you may want to bring that person to the audit. Professional tax preparation services will sometimes send someone to accompany you to an audit. Weigh the amount of tax in question against the cost of bringing a professional with you.

Can I Appeal the Findings?
You can either agree or disagree with the auditor’s findings. If you agree, your experience with the IRS is finished upon completion of some paperwork and payment of any outstanding amounts. If you disagree with the auditor, the issues in question can be reviewed informally with the auditor’s supervisor or you can appeal to the IRS appeals office, which is independent of the local IRS office that conducted the audit. If you do not reach an agreement with the appeals officer, you may take your case to the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Claims Court or U.S. District Court. The Tax Court generally hears cases before any tax is assessed or paid. The Claims Court and District Court generally hear tax cases only after you have paid the tax and filed a claim for refund.

If you cannot decide to agree or disagree, the IRS has formal procedures to help you make up your mind. Within a few weeks of your audit, you will receive a letter that gives you 30 days to either agree with the auditor or file a formal appeal. The letter will explain the steps to take, depending on your choice of action. If you do not respond to the 30-day letter, or if you do not reach an agreement with the appeals officer, the IRS will send you a "statutory notice of deficiency," giving you 90 days to bring your case to the Tax Court. If you take no action, you lose your right to go to Tax Court, and the IRS will assess the additional tax against you.