Payroll taxes are imposed on both employers and employees. In accordance with federal law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has put certain rules and regulations in place that businesses must follow in order to be in compliance with payroll tax laws. The agency conducts payroll tax audits on a regular basis.
For a business, facing an audit can be stressful and confusing. But, it is not the end of the world. Indeed, payroll tax audits are often conducted as a matter of standard procedure. In this article, our experienced Illinois payroll tax lawyers highlight four things business owners should do when facing a payroll tax audit from the IRS.
As a starting point, business owners should understand the extent of the payroll tax audit their company is facing. Payroll tax audits vary widely in scope. In some cases, the IRS will conduct a routine audit of a company. They may simply ask a business to submit a few additional financial records. In other cases, the IRS will conduct audits after catching a supposed ‘red flag’ in a tax return. They may send an agent in person to conduct the audit; and there may be extensive follow up question. Business owners need to know exactly what type of audit they are facing.
You cannot respond properly to a payroll tax audit without well-organized financial documents and records. As soon as your company receives an audit letter from the IRS, you should take immediate action to secure all relevant documents and records related to payroll taxes. The more detailed information you have in your possession, the better.
Another key to preparing for an IRS payroll tax audit is avoiding the single biggest mistake companies in Illinois make: Ignoring a request for information from the IRS. The IRS is not simply going to go away. The failure to work with the agency could land a company in serious trouble. In addition, not taking immediate action could foreclose some of the potential options for settlement.
Business owners facing a payroll tax audit should always be ready to seek guidance from an experienced Illinois tax attorney. Payroll taxes are complicated. IRS audits are complicated. Your tax lawyer will ensure the rights and interests of your company are protected. Remember, companies have the legal right to appeal any payroll tax audit decision. Though, you may have as little as 30 days to initiate your IRS appeal. Just because the IRS says your company owes additional payroll taxes does not necessarily mean the IRS is correct in their determination.
Contact Our Chicago, IL Payroll Tax Attorneys Today
At North Suburban Legal Services LLC, our Illinois payroll tax attorneys are committed to providing sophisticated and effective legal guidance to businesses facing inquiries from the Internal Revenue Service. If you have questions about payroll tax audits or your company is facing potential enforcement action from the IRS, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago law office at (312) 909-6089 for a strictly confidential consultation.