Anyone used Tax Protection Plus for dealing with an IRS audit notice?

I've dealt with IRS notices several times as a preparer. Before you pay for a service like Tax Protection Plus, here's what you should know about audit defense in general: First, determine what type of notice you received. Is it a CP2000 (proposed changes based on income matching), an actual audit notice, or something else? The response strategy differs depending on notice type. Many "audit notices" are actually just automated income matching that can often be resolved with proper documentation. For simple notices, you might be able to handle it yourself by writing a clear response and including supporting documentation. For actual audits, professional help can be valuable but shop around before committing.

I was in a similar situation last year with a missing 1099-NEC that I never received. I tried dealing with the IRS directly but kept getting stuck in phone loops and could never talk to an actual person. I eventually found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me sort it out. They analyzed all my tax documents, found where the mistake happened, and gave me a step-by-step plan for responding to the IRS. The best part was they explained everything in plain English instead of tax jargon.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai for my missing 1099 issue. Honestly, it was way more helpful than I expected! The document analysis found that the 1099 was actually issued by a parent company with a different name than who I thought I worked for, which is why I missed it. The system created a response template explaining the confusion and showing how I should report the income on an amended return. Just got confirmation from the IRS that my case is resolved! Saved me from paying penalties for sure.

After getting a CP2000 last year, I tried for WEEKS to reach someone at the IRS to explain my situation. Complete nightmare - hours on hold only to get disconnected. A friend told me about Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and showed me this demo video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). It basically holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you when an agent is about to pick up. I was super skeptical but desperate enough to try it.

I need to publicly eat my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate to resolve my tax notice. Used the service yesterday, and after trying for MONTHS to reach someone at the IRS, I got connected to an agent in about 35 minutes (while I was grocery shopping!). The agent was actually super helpful and explained exactly what documentation I needed to submit. Wish I'd known about this months ago before stressing myself out. Sometimes my cynicism gets in the way of finding actual solutions.

Getting back to the original question about Tax Protection Plus for audit defense - I used them about 2 years ago when I got audited. In my experience, they were okay but not great. Their communication was spotty, and I sometimes felt out of the loop on what was happening with my case. They did eventually resolve the issue, but it took longer than I expected. For the money, I'd probably look into other options first.

Just a quick tip - before paying for any audit defense service, check if you already have audit protection through whatever tax software you used to file. Many of the major tax prep programs include some level of audit support in their premium packages, or offer it as an add-on you might have purchased without remembering. Worth checking before spending more money!

Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like since you have a CP2000 (not a full audit), you might want to try the DIY approach first before paying for expensive services. The tools mentioned like taxr.ai for document analysis or Claimyr for actually reaching the IRS seem like good middle-ground options that cost way less than full audit defense services. For a CP2000 about missing 1099 income, you basically need to either agree and pay, or provide documentation showing why the amount is wrong. If you can track down that 1099 or prove you never received the income, you might be able to resolve this without paying the full amount. The key is responding within the timeframe they gave you (usually 30 days). Don't let it go to default!

I went through something similar last year with a CP2000 for unreported 1099 income. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, don't panic! A CP2000 is way more manageable than a full audit. The IRS is basically saying "we have a record of income that doesn't match your return - can you explain?" For your situation, here's what I'd recommend: 1. Contact the company that supposedly issued the 1099 to confirm if they actually sent one and get a copy 2. Check if you have any records of receiving payment from them (bank deposits, invoices, etc.) 3. If you did receive the income but just missed reporting it, you can agree to the changes and pay 4. If there's an error (wrong amount, wasn't your income, etc.), you can dispute it with documentation The good news is you have 30 days to respond, and the IRS is generally reasonable about CP2000 responses if you provide clear documentation. I was able to resolve mine by mail without needing any expensive services - just had to prove the 1099 amount was wrong due to a data entry error on their end. Don't let fear push you into paying for services you might not need. A CP2000 is often something you can handle yourself with a little research and organization.

I've been through this exact situation! Got a CP2000 for missing 1099 income that I swear I never received. Here's what worked for me: First, don't stress too much - CP2000s are actually pretty straightforward once you understand what they're asking for. The IRS just wants to reconcile their records with yours. I started by calling the company that allegedly sent the 1099. Turns out they had my old address on file, so the form got mailed to an apartment I hadn't lived in for over a year. They were able to email me a copy immediately, and I could see exactly what income they reported. Since I did actually earn that money (just never got the tax form), I had to agree with the IRS assessment. But here's the key - you can set up a payment plan if you can't afford to pay the full amount at once. I called the IRS (took forever to get through, wish I'd known about that Claimyr service back then!) and set up monthly payments with no issues. The whole thing was resolved in about 6 weeks from start to finish. Way less scary than I thought it would be. Just make sure you respond before the deadline - that's super important!