Will a State Tax Audit Trigger a Federal IRS Audit?
Just got a letter from my state tax department saying they're auditing my 2022 returns. Now I'm freaking out wondering if the IRS is gonna come after me too. Does anyone know if state audits automatically trigger federal audits? Really need some answers here cause I'm stressing.
19 comments


Ryan Young
Tax professional here - State and federal audits aren't automatically linked, but they do share information. If your state finds significant discrepancies, they may notify the IRS. However, the IRS decides independently whether to conduct their own audit. The best approach is to be thorough and accurate with your state audit documentation, as this could help prevent federal scrutiny.
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Sophia Clark
•This happened to me last year. State found nothing wrong but the IRS still came knocking 6 months later 🙄
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Ryan Young
•Yes, the IRS can initiate an audit regardless of state findings. It's all about their own risk assessment.
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Katherine Harris
Hey everyone - I've been using taxr.ai for all my tax transcript analysis needs and its been a game changer. For $1 you can upload your transcript and it tells you exactly whats going on. Would definitely recommend for anyone worried about potential audits! https://taxr.ai
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Madison Allen
•Is it legit? How does it actually work?
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Katherine Harris
•Super legit! It uses AI to analyze your transcript and explains everything in plain english. Shows audit risk factors too.
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Madison Allen
•Just tried it - holy cow this is amazing! 🙌 Why isn't everyone using this???
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Joshua Wood
been thru both state and federal audits...trust me its not fun lol. Get everything organized now just in case 👀
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Justin Evans
Depends on what they find tbh. My friend got audited by NY state and nothing happened with federal. But def keep good records!
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Samantha Hall
•thx that makes me feel a little better ngl
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Emily Parker
ur probably fine fam. just dont ignore the state audit or ur definitely asking for trouble 💯
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Ezra Collins
anybody know how long these state audits usually take? im in the same boat rn
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Joshua Wood
•Mine took like 3 months start to finish. But I've heard horror stories of them taking way longer
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Ezra Collins
•ugh thats what im afraid of ðŸ˜
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Gabrielle Dubois
I went through this exact situation a few years ago! State audit doesn't automatically mean federal will follow, but there is some information sharing between agencies. The key is to handle your state audit professionally and thoroughly - keep detailed records, respond promptly to requests, and be completely honest. In my case, the state audit found a small error in my favor and the IRS never got involved. Don't panic, but definitely take it seriously and consider getting professional help if the amounts are significant.
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Kaylee Cook
Don't stress too much! I work in tax compliance and can tell you that state audits don't automatically trigger federal ones. The IRS has their own selection criteria and timeline. That said, if your state finds significant issues (especially underreported income), they might share that info with the feds. My advice: cooperate fully with the state audit, keep meticulous records, and if anything major comes up, consider hiring a tax pro who can represent you with both agencies. Most state audits are routine and result in minor adjustments or no changes at all.
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Keisha Thompson
•This is really helpful advice! @001d91057593 When you say "significant issues" - what kind of dollar amounts or discrepancies typically get flagged for federal attention? Just trying to gauge if I should be worried about smaller stuff or only major red flags.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
I'm going through something similar right now and it's definitely nerve-wracking! From what I've researched and heard from others, state and federal audits operate independently. The IRS has its own selection algorithms and risk assessment criteria. While there can be information sharing between agencies, it's not automatic. Focus on handling your state audit properly - gather all your documentation, respond to their requests promptly, and be transparent. Most state audits are resolved without major issues, and even if they find something, it doesn't guarantee the IRS will take action. Try not to let the anxiety consume you - just be prepared and professional in your responses.
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Amy Fleming
•Thanks for sharing your experience! @411efd9fe458 It's reassuring to hear from someone going through the same thing. I'm trying to stay calm but it's hard not to spiral when you get that letter in the mail. Did you end up hiring any professional help or are you handling it yourself? I'm debating whether it's worth the cost for what seems like a routine audit.
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