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How do I get Audit Help?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

To get audit help for tax-related issues, you can turn to one of many sources. The most common avenue for getting audit help is to speak with a trained tax attorney who specializes in such cases. If this is not an option for you, there are also several debt consolidation groups that help to lower payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or other government agency. You may also consider speaking with the IRS directly to find out about federally offered help for those with lower incomes.

If you choose to go with a tax attorney for audit help, it is important to consider the monetary costs of doing so. Hiring a lawyer is generally a good idea when the amount owed is much higher than the fees paid to the lawyer. In some cases, a good tax attorney can negotiate a lower fee or help clients get tax aid through the government. Those who are eligible for tax aid are generally lower income, however, so hiring an attorney may not be a feasible option.

A trained tax attorney is often the first option for tax audit help.
A trained tax attorney is often the first option for tax audit help.

Debt consolidation groups are another option for audit help. These are companies that work with those who owe large sums of money, to help consolidate or combine certain loans and debts. They may also be able to negotiation lower fees for some debt if the client has financial hardship.

Tax aid may also be a form of audit help for those with lower incomes, or those who may be an innocent party in the tax discrepancies of a current or former spouse. This type of help comes in the form of lowered payments, a lower overall fee, or a waived debt. In order to qualify for federal tax aid, citizens must provide a proof of income and employment so that tax officers can take all information into account before making a decision.

Those who can't afford a private tax attorney may be offered help through a public attorney or pro bono tax attorney. This means that clients do not have to pay for services due to financial hardships or other factors that inhibit them from paying for a lawyer out of pocket. If this service is not available, many attorneys will offer payment plans to those who may have trouble paying their legal fees. Others may choose to represent themselves to negotiate their tax debt.

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    • A trained tax attorney is often the first option for tax audit help.
      By: Stephen VanHorn
      A trained tax attorney is often the first option for tax audit help.