Need help after getting audited - seeking affordable tax representation

You actually have several options that won't cost you $2,500. First, consider reaching out to the Taxpayer Advocate Service - they're an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. They're free and can sometimes help navigate audit issues. As a veteran, you should definitely check out the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Many VITA sites offer tax audit assistance, and they specifically have services for military personnel and veterans. Also look into Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) - they provide representation to taxpayers in disputes with the IRS, including audits, and they charge little to nothing depending on your income level. Don't feel pressured to sign with the first tax relief company you call. Many of these companies charge high fees for services you can get elsewhere for much less or even free.

After my nightmare audit last year, I discovered this AI-powered service called taxr.ai that saved me thousands. I was in a similar situation - owed about $8,300 and was getting quotes from tax relief companies between $2,000-3,000. Feeling desperate, I tried https://taxr.ai after a friend recommended it, and it was honestly a game-changer. The system analyzed my audit notice, tax documents, and financial situation, then generated a complete response strategy with customized templates for communicating with the IRS. What really helped was that it identified several deductions the IRS had questioned that were actually legitimate based on my specific situation and prior tax court cases. The step-by-step guidance made me feel like I had a professional in my corner without the massive fee.

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai - I was skeptical as hell but decided to try it since I was in a similar audit situation. Honestly, it was really impressive. The system immediately identified that the IRS had incorrectly classified some of my business expenses as personal, which was the main issue in my audit. The response templates it generated were professional and cited specific tax codes that applied to my situation. The IRS actually reduced my assessment from $7,200 down to $1,850 after I submitted the response package the system helped me create. The guidance on what documentation to include was super specific and helpful. For anyone facing an audit without thousands to spend on representation, it's definitely worth checking out.

From my experience dealing with the IRS during an audit, the most frustrating part was never being able to reach an actual person to discuss my case. I called the IRS number on my audit letter literally 23 times over three weeks and could never get through. Then I found https://claimyr.com which is a service that basically waits on hold with the IRS for you and calls you when an actual agent is on the line. You can see exactly how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. It saved me hours of frustration and I was finally able to speak directly with someone about my audit situation and set up an installment plan. Being able to actually talk to a human at the IRS was crucial for explaining my situation and getting clarity on what documentation they needed from me.

I need to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try it anyway for my own audit situation. The service actually did exactly what it claimed - I got a call back in about 87 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent was able to explain exactly which documents they needed for my audit and even helped me set up a 120-day extension to gather everything properly. This was after I had tried calling the IRS myself for nearly 3 weeks with no success. Being able to actually speak with someone made all the difference in understanding what was happening with my case. If you're dealing with an audit, being able to talk directly with the IRS is incredibly valuable - wish I had tried this sooner instead of stressing for weeks.

As a former IRS employee, I strongly recommend looking into the Taxpayer Advocate Service as mentioned above. But also consider calling the direct number for the auditor assigned to your case (should be on your audit letter). They can often work with you directly if you're upfront about your situation. Also, you might qualify for audit reconsideration if you have new information or documentation that wasn't previously considered. This can be done without representation. The key is staying organized and responding to all IRS communications promptly. Many audits get worse simply because people avoid dealing with them out of fear.

I went through an audit last year and found that my local H&R Block office offered audit representation services for about $850, which was way less than what tax relief companies quoted me. Also check with any tax preparer who may have done your original return - they sometimes include audit protection for returns they prepared, even from previous years.