Proper Etiquette When Dealing with IRS Agents During a Tax Audit

Having been through two audits myself (one personal, one for my small business), I can share what worked for me. First, take a deep breath - most audits are just verification processes, not accusations of wrongdoing. When meeting with an IRS agent, be professional but you don't need to be overly formal. They're just doing their job and generally appreciate respectful, straightforward communication. Bring all documentation you can gather related to your Schedule C deductions - receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, anything that supports your claimed expenses. For your home office deduction, make sure you have measurements of the space and proof it's used exclusively for business. Photos can help here. If you're missing some receipts, look for alternative proof like bank statements or credit card statements showing the purchases.

I went through an audit last year for my freelance work and was totally stressed until I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that literally saved me. It analyzed all my tax documents and receipts and organized everything the IRS was asking for. The system actually flagged a few deductions that might raise questions and suggested additional documentation I should have ready. It created this really professional report that I brought to my audit, and the IRS agent was visibly impressed with how organized everything was. My audit went from terrifying to manageable really quickly!

Just wanted to follow up and say I ended up trying taxr.ai after seeing this thread! I was disorganized with my rideshare driving expenses and got an audit notice last week. Uploaded everything including my messy receipts and the audit letter and wow - it created this super detailed report showing exactly which expenses matched which tax categories. It even flagged that I had under-claimed my mileage (I was being too conservative) and showed how to properly document it for the audit. Haven't had my meeting with the IRS yet, but I feel 100x more prepared and confident. Seriously the best tip I've gotten from Reddit!

After dealing with the nightmare of trying to call the IRS for weeks during my audit last year, I finally discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was stuck in this weird situation where the auditor had questions I could easily answer, but couldn't reach them to clarify things. Claimyr got me through to an actual human at the IRS in about 15 minutes when I had been trying for DAYS on my own. The agent I reached was able to tell me exactly what additional documentation they needed, and I avoided having an adjustment made that would have cost me over $2,000.

I need to eat my words from my skeptical comment earlier. After nothing was working to reach the IRS about my audit situation, I reluctantly tried Claimyr. I was 100% sure it would be a waste of money. 30 minutes later I was literally talking to an IRS agent who answered my questions about what specific documentation they needed for my Airbnb income audit. Turns out I was about to send WAY more paperwork than necessary and was missing one key form they actually wanted. This one call potentially saved me from having my audit escalated. I hate that I had to pay to talk to a government agency I already pay taxes to support, but it absolutely worked.

Something nobody mentioned yet - dress professionally for your audit. You don't need a full suit, but business casual helps set the right tone. Also, be on time (actually be early) and bring a notepad to write down any information or additional requests. Don't argue or get defensive - even if you disagree with something the agent says. Just make notes and follow up appropriately. If they request additional documentation, ask for specifics about what they're looking for and get a clear deadline.

dont bring a lawyer unless ur hiding something lol. i went to my audit with just my tax forms and bank statements and was fine. the lady was actually super nice even tho i was missing some receipts. just don't be a jerk and youll be ok.

The most important thing is to ONLY answer the questions they ask. Don't volunteer extra information trying to be helpful. If they ask about your home office deduction, don't start telling them about your car expenses too. Stay focused on exactly what they're investigating. And if you don't know an answer, say "I'll need to look into that and get back to you" instead of guessing.

One thing that really helped me during my audit was creating a simple timeline of events leading up to the audit notice. Write down when you filed your return, when you received the audit letter, and any relevant business activities from 2023. This helps you stay organized mentally and shows the agent you're taking the process seriously. Also, if you're missing receipts for legitimate expenses, don't panic. The IRS often accepts alternative documentation like bank statements, credit card statements, or even contemporaneous records (like a business calendar showing client meetings). For your home office deduction, measure the space used exclusively for business and take photos showing it's clearly a dedicated workspace. Remember that the vast majority of audits result in either no changes or minor adjustments. The IRS isn't trying to "get you" - they're just verifying that your deductions are legitimate and properly documented. Stay calm, be honest, and stick to the facts.

I went through a Schedule C audit two years ago as a freelance photographer, so I totally understand your anxiety! Here are some practical tips that helped me get through it smoothly: **Before the meeting:** - Gather everything you can find related to your claimed deductions, even if it's not perfect documentation - Create a simple folder system organized by expense category (office supplies, equipment, travel, etc.) - Write down brief explanations for your major deductions so you don't forget important details when nervous **During the meeting:** - Arrive 10-15 minutes early and bring a small notebook - Be polite but don't try to be overly friendly - keep it professional - Answer questions directly without over-explaining or volunteering extra information - If you don't have a receipt, mention what alternative documentation you brought (bank statements, credit card records) **Key mindset shift:** The agent isn't trying to "catch" you doing something wrong. They're verifying that your business expenses are legitimate, which yours sound like they are. Most audits for small businesses like ours are routine verification processes. You've got this! The fact that you're being proactive and asking for advice shows you're approaching this the right way. Let us know how it goes!