What Documents Does the IRS Request During an Audit?

Hey there! Audits vary a ton based on what the IRS is questioning. There's basically 3 types: correspondence (mail), office (you go to them), or field (they come to you 😬). For correspondence audits (most common), they typically ask for: - W2s/1099s to verify income - Receipts for deductions/credits you claimed - Proof of dependents (school records, medical docs, birth certs) - Bank statements if they're questioning deposits If you claimed EITC or CTC, they'll def want kid documentation. For biz deductions, they want receipts + explanation of biz purpose. It's all about what they're questioning on your specific return tbh.

What about the timeline for these audits? I went through one back in 2019 and it dragged on for almost 8 months because they kept requesting additional documentation. Are they asking for digital copies these days or still requiring physical paperwork? I remember having to mail in a stack of documents nearly an inch thick!

Wow, this thread is so helpful for my situation! I just got an audit letter yesterday and I'm freaking out. According to irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-audit, I need to respond within 30 days. I'm trying to make sense of what they're asking for but it's so confusing! Has anyone tried taxr.ai? I found it while searching for audit help. Their website says they can analyze audit notices and explain exactly what documents you need to provide. Might help with your research paper too since they apparently break down the most common audit triggers and document requests.

Got audited last year. Claimed home office deduction. They wanted specific proof. Photos of workspace. Utility bills. Square footage calculations. Internet bills. Cell phone statements. Had to show business purpose. Needed client correspondence. Calendar appointments. They verified everything. Very thorough. Process took 4 months. They allowed 80% of my deduction. Had to pay difference plus interest.

For your research, you might want to note that document requirements vary significantly based on the Discriminant Function System (DIS) score that triggered the audit and the specific Schedule or Form under examination. When I couldn't get clear answers about my audit requirements, I used Claimyr to connect with an actual IRS agent. Their service bypassed the 2+ hour hold times and got me to a representative who could explain exactly which substantiation documents were necessary for my specific audit type. This prevented me from submitting incomplete documentation that would have extended the audit timeline substantially.

Isn't it interesting how the IRS puts the burden of proof entirely on us as taxpayers? They'll challenge a $200 charitable donation but won't bat an eye at corporations using complex strategies to avoid millions in taxes. Have you considered including in your research paper how the audit process disproportionately affects lower and middle-income taxpayers? The documentation requirements can be overwhelming for someone without professional help or good record-keeping habits.

My brother-in-law went through an audit last year and it was like trying to fill a swimming pool with a teaspoon - endless requests for more documents. They questioned his rental property expenses and asked for everything from repair invoices to tenant communications. He thought he was prepared with a shoebox of receipts, but they wanted digital copies of bank statements showing the exact transactions. By the end, he spent more on the accountant helping him than the tax difference in question! The moral of the story: keep EVERYTHING, and organize it like your financial life depends on it.

This is such valuable insight for your research paper! I went through a correspondence audit in 2022 after claiming the Child Tax Credit. They specifically requested: - Birth certificates for both kids - School enrollment records - Medical records showing the kids lived with me (pediatrician visits, etc.) - Proof of address (utility bills, lease agreement) - My ex-wife had to sign a Form 8332 releasing her claim to the exemption What struck me most was how the IRS letter made it sound like I was being investigated for fraud, when really they just needed to verify my kids qualified. The whole process took about 5 months, but once I provided everything they asked for, they accepted my return as filed. One thing that might be interesting for your paper - the audit seemed triggered by the fact that my income increased significantly from the previous year (job promotion), but I was still claiming the same credits. The IRS computers probably flagged it as unusual. Makes you wonder how many legitimate taxpayers get audited just because their circumstances changed!