Ever wish that, as a business owner, you knew exactly what would raise "red flags" at the IRS? Or how to make an IRS audit go as smoothly and painlessly as possible?
If you're in the right type of business, you can get that information, directly from the IRS!
Traditionally, IRS examiners have been responsible for auditing many types of businesses. An examiner might audit a grocery store one week and a construction company the next. A lot of the examiner's time was spent learning about the business.
To improve efficiency, the IRS launched the Market Segment Specialization Program (MSSP). Examiners now focus on specific types of businesses. To help the examiners understand each type of business, the agency has developed training guides, called "Audit Techniques Guides." The guides explain the standard practices for the business, and tell the examiners exactly where to look for potential problems. (For example, auto repair shops sometimes don't report the parts they have in stock as inventory.)
The IRS has developed Audit Techniques Guides for dozens of business types, ranging from pizza shops to major league sports franchises. In addition, there are guides that deal with specific business practices, such as executive compensation, shareholder loans, or stock based compensation.
You can download the guides directly from the IRS website. There are other sites that distribute the ATGs as well, and some of them seem to have guides, perhaps a little out of date, that don't appear on the IRS website. Simply search the web for IRS Audit Techniques Guides to find a list!
Bob Nicholson / WYGK Consulting provides business, technology and strategic consulting for small businesses, internet start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Visit http://www.wygk.com
shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe powers of Congress, and the limitations set upon those... Read More
With gas prices at an all time high before Hurricane... Read More
Does your incorporated business pay alternative minimum tax ["AMT]? If... Read More
The IRS has obtained civil injunctions against more than 100... Read More
While accountants are reaching for aspirin, millions of Americans are... Read More
Taxpayers have two easy and convenient options for getting copies... Read More
One way to maximize your business profits is by reducing... Read More
If you paid someone to care for a child so... Read More
A Federal Tax Lien (FTL) is a legal instrument that... Read More
All states also have their own tax system. Typically there... Read More
Reservists called to active duty and enlistees in the armed... Read More
In elementary school, kids come up with creative excuses why... Read More
No one likes paying tax. Everyone understands that tax is... Read More
Your days as an entrepreneur and businessperson are consumed with... Read More
On June 3, 2005, the IRS released guidance on charitable... Read More
Managing a business small, medium or big requires you to... Read More
Assume a buyer in Pakistan downloads software from the Internet... Read More
Many small businesses complain when confronted with the expense of... Read More
You're at your office, or home, and the doorbell rings... Read More
Why a Corporation Helps Save You TaxesThe Tax Rates (Notice... Read More
Someone once said, 'the best way to calculate your taxes... Read More
April 15 - The most dreaded day of the year... Read More
The United States is a nation of entrepreneurs. There are... Read More
Own residential rental properties? This article discusses how income from... Read More
April 15th looms in front of most people every year... Read More
Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..It's a major fear for most Americans: A notice from... Read More
An early distribution from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) or... Read More
As a small business owner, it's wise to familiarize yourself... Read More
We need real tax reform and we need it now.... Read More
1812The first attempt to impose an income tax on America... Read More
Many Americans believe that an IRS debt is a debt... Read More
Haven't done your taxes yet? No problem. Now there is... Read More
With gas prices at an all time high before Hurricane... Read More
You've been feeling uneasy (perhaps even guilty) because you've failed... Read More
Newlyweds and the recently divorced should make sure that names... Read More
Following is a reproduction of the IRS's rules and requirements... Read More
Choosing the right tax preparer for your business is a... Read More
Emerging Legal issues of Tax compliance of e-business Self-assessment system... Read More
While accountants are reaching for aspirin, millions of Americans are... Read More
According to the IRS, taxpayers underpay their taxes by some... Read More
Many small businesses complain when confronted with the expense of... Read More
We all love to criticize the IRS, don't we? And... Read More
"What we've got here is a failure to communicate." ... Read More
In a past article I relayed the plight of the... Read More
Misconceptions, misinterpretations and just plain "untruths" are floating about income... Read More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that it costs nearly... Read More
Strategic planning throughout the year results in a minimal tax... Read More
Millions of people file tax return extensions every year. The... Read More
The end of tax filing extensions is quickly approaching. What... Read More
Six Urban Myths ? Taxation"I am proud to be paying... Read More
Tax |