5 Critical Steps to Take When Facing an IRS Criminal Tax Audit

Criminal tax audits by the IRS can result in back taxes, fines, and even prison time. The IRS targets U.S. taxpayers worldwide, and all targeted taxpayers need to defend themselves effectively to avoid unnecessary consequences. What should you do if you are facing an IRS criminal tax audit? Find out from Maryland criminal tax lawyer Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of U.S. International Tax Advisors.

What To Do When Facing an IRS Criminal Tax Audit

If you are facing an IRS criminal tax audit, the steps you take during the early stages of the inquiry could have major ramifications going forward. To help protect yourself, you should:

1. Be Careful to Preserve All Potentially Relevant Records

When facing an IRS criminal tax audit, it is important to preserve all potentially relevant records. Destroying potential evidence will raise red flags, and the IRS may be able to collect the evidence it needs to substantiate criminal charges through various other means.

2. Make Sure You Know Any Deadlines or Other Key Dates

If you have received a letter, subpoena, or any other documentation from the IRS, you should make sure you know any deadlines or other key dates. You will need to be prepared for any deadlines or other key dates as they arrive, and preparing can be time- and resource-intensive, depending on the circumstances.

3. Avoid Making Any Assumptions About What the IRS is Going to Find

Regardless of the circumstances at hand, you should avoid making any assumptions about what the IRS is going to find. If you are aware of potential issues with your federal filing history, you should not assume that these are the only issues at play. Likewise, even if you are confident that you have not intentionally violated the law, there is a reason why the IRS opened a criminal inquiry, and you need to find out why as soon as possible.

4. Be Careful Not to Disclose Any Privileged or Protected Information

Targets of IRS criminal tax audits may be entitled to withhold information under the attorney-client privilege and other grounds. As you go through the audit process, you will need to be extremely careful to avoid disclosing any privileged or protected information. If you do so—even by mistake—the IRS will generally be able to use any information that you have voluntarily provided.

5. Work With Experienced Tax Counsel to Build Your Defense

Given the complexities of the IRS criminal tax audit process and the risks involved, it will be critical to work with experienced tax counsel to build your defense. To help maximize your chances of securing a favorable resolution as quickly and quietly as possible, you should contact an experienced criminal tax lawyer right away.

Discuss Your IRS Audit with Maryland Criminal Tax Lawyer Kevin E. Thorn

If you are facing IRS scrutiny anywhere in the world, you need experienced legal representation. Maryland criminal tax lawyer Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of U.S. International Tax Advisors, represents targeted U.S. taxpayers worldwide. To schedule a confidential consultation with Mr. Thorn as soon as possible, call us at  240-235-5096 or tell us how we can contact you online now.