A tax audit is when the IRS or the NC Department of Revenue takes a closer look at your tax return to make sure it's accurate. Most aren't full-blown investigations — they're a letter asking for a few documents or explaining a change to your return. But they're still stressful, and the wrong response can turn a small issue into a big bill. We've spent 20+ years helping Warsaw and Duplin & Sampson Counties clients respond calmly, accurately, and in their own language.
Why You Shouldn't Handle an Audit Alone
The IRS and NC have rules, deadlines, and procedures most people have never seen. What you say in writing matters, and what you send in matters even more.
- Missing a response deadline turns the IRS's proposed change into a final tax bill.
- Sending too much information can open new questions and expand the audit.
- Most audit letters can be resolved completely with the right documents and a clear response.
- Having a tax pro reply is taken seriously and often closes the case faster.
How Audit Support Works
1. Bring us the letter
Don't panic — bring or email us the IRS or NC notice. We'll read it and tell you exactly what they're asking.
2. We file Power of Attorney
Form 2848 lets us speak to the IRS on your behalf so you don't have to make the calls.
3. We gather your records
We help you pull together the documents the IRS actually needs — and nothing more.
4. We draft and send the response
A clear, professional reply addressing every question, sent before the deadline.
5. We follow up to resolution
We track the case through to closure and explain the outcome in plain English or Spanish.
Common Mistakes People Make With IRS Letters
If you've ever gotten an IRS envelope, please don't do any of these:
- Throwing it in a drawer and hoping it goes away — the deadline keeps running.
- Paying immediately even when the IRS is wrong (they often are).
- Sending years of unrelated records the IRS didn't ask for.
- Calling the IRS yourself before you understand what the letter says.
- Signing IRS forms (like a CP2000 response) without an accountant reviewing them.
Who Needs Audit Support?
Call us right away if you:
Key Terms, Explained Simply
- Audit
- A review by the IRS or state to verify the information on your tax return.
- CP2000
- An IRS notice saying the income they have on file doesn't match what you reported. Common and usually fixable.
- Power of Attorney (Form 2848)
- Authorizes your accountant to talk to the IRS on your behalf.
- Correspondence Audit
- An audit handled entirely by mail — the most common type.
- Offer in Compromise
- An IRS program that can let you settle a tax debt for less than you owe in certain hardship cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk With a Bilingual Local Accountant
Free consultation. No obligation. Whether you prefer English or Español, Ada will personally walk you through your options — and what it would cost — before any work begins.