Got Audited Last Year - Will This Trigger Another Audit This Year?
Ugh, I'm freaking out right now! š« I used a different tax preparer last year and ended up getting audited and had to file an amendment (didn't get my return until November 2023). Will that affect this year's taxes and I will be audited again? I'm an independent contractor and I really can't deal with another audit nightmare. Need to file ASAP but scared to pull the trigger.
14 comments
Axel Far
The IRS utilizes a Discriminant Function System (DFS) to assign scores to returns based on potential noncompliance. Prior audits aren't explicitly programmed as automatic triggers for subsequent examinations, though they remain in your compliance history. The amendment itself isn't problematic if it corrected legitimate issues. What's more concerning is whether the underlying factors that triggered your initial audit have been adequately addressed in your current filing methodology.
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Jasmine Hernandez
I went through something similar! Here's what I learned: ā¢ Previous audits don't automatically trigger new ones ā¢ BUT they do put your account on a sort of "watch list" ā¢ Make sure you have documentation for EVERYTHING this year ā¢ Double-check all your 1099s match what you're reporting ā¢ Consider using a more experienced preparer who specializes in independent contractors I'm a little worried for you because contractor returns get flagged more often... š
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Luis Johnson
Have you considered what would happen if you do get audited again? Would you know how to respond quickly? Would you be able to get someone on the phone at the IRS to explain your situation? Wouldn't it be better to have a plan in place rather than just hoping it doesn't happen? I was in a similar situation and ended up using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to actually reach an IRS agent by phone after weeks of trying. They got me through to someone who could answer my specific questions about my previous audit and how it might affect my current filing.
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Ellie Kim
I've seen Claimyr mentioned on several threads. According to the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-my-local-office-in-person you can schedule appointments directly. Has anyone actually compared the wait times between DIY calling and using a service?
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Fiona Sand
Just wanted to say thanks for mentioning this! I've been trying to reach the IRS since March 12th with no luck. Going to check this out today!
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Mohammad Khaled
It's probably worth noting that Claimyr doesn't actually schedule appointments - they just help you navigate the phone system to reach a live person, which can be somewhat difficult during peak filing season.
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Alina Rosenthal
While I cannot say with absolute certainty, I should mention that the IRS generally maintains what they call a "DIF score" - Discriminant Information Function - for each taxpayer. This score may be influenced by previous audits, though the exact algorithm is not publicly disclosed. In my experience, if your amendment properly corrected all issues from the previous audit, your risk might not be substantially higher than normal.
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Finnegan Gunn
I've been through this exact situation. My 2022 taxes got audited because my previous preparer messed up how they reported my business expenses. I got a new accountant who specializes in self-employed taxes for 2023, and everything went smoothly. The key is making sure whatever triggered the first audit is fixed. In my case, I had claimed too many meal expenses without proper documentation, and my home office deduction was calculated incorrectly. Once I understood what went wrong and fixed those specific issues, I had no problems the following year.
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Miguel Harvey
Went through this last year. Got audited for 2021. Was terrified about 2022. No audit happened. Make sure your records are organized. Keep all receipts. Document everything. The amendment itself isn't the problem. It's what caused the audit initially.
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Ashley Simian
Tbh the IRS doesn't have the resources to audit everyone who got audited b4. They look for specific red flags like unusually high deductions, mismatched income reporting, or math errors. Def make sure ur 1099s match what you're reporting! Also, if ur in the same income bracket as last yr, the DIF score (what the IRS uses to flag returns) might be similar, so double-check everything that got flagged last time.
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Oliver Cheng
Is it like getting pulled over for speeding? Once you've been caught once, are you more likely to be watched in the future, or is each tax year truly independent from the previous one?
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Taylor To
I was audited three years ago for my independent contractor expenses. They questioned about $8,000 in business deductions. I provided all my receipts and documentation, and they ended up accepting about 95% of what I claimed. The next year I was terrified of being audited again, but nothing happened. I made sure to be extra careful with my documentation though!
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Ella Cofer
What's the exact timeframe between when you filed your amendment last year and when you received your refund? Was it approximately 8-9 months, or did you face additional delays beyond that?
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Kevin Bell
Generally speaking, the IRS audit selection process works on a year-by-year basis. While prior audit history might be one factor in their selection algorithm, it's typically not the determining factor. Most audits are selected through their DIF scoring system, which looks at current year deviations from statistical norms for your income level and profession.
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