Tax Audit in Sterling Heights, Michigan

Find the right Tax Audit attorney in Sterling Heights, MI

Tax Audit Lawyers in Sterling Heights

In Sterling Heights, Michigan, a "tax audit" is a procedure in which the IRS or local tax authorities conduct an investigation of a taxpayer's tax filings, looking at them in more detail than they ordinarily do. Usually, they do this because there is something suspicious in the tax return. State and federal tax authorities also do a certain number of random audits each year, without necessarily suspecting that an individual auditee has done anything wrong.

In Sterling Heights, Michigan, the process of a tax audit is generally not complicated. If you get a letter saying that you have been chosen for an audit, you should still take it seriously, however. The first thing you need to do is confirm that you are actually being audited, because there are fraudsters who impersonate tax collectors, attempting to squeeze money out of innocent victims. When you receive such a letter, you should use the phone book or Internet to find the contact info for the government agency that the letter claims to be from, and contact them. Do not rely on any contact information provided in the letter, as it may direct you to the scammer, who will simply pretend to be a representative of the IRS.

Once you receive the letter, and confirm its authenticity, you will have to meet with an auditor at the time and place specified in the letter, and subsequent communications with the auditor. The auditor will tell you what documents and records you need to bring to the meeting. They will then ask you some questions to clear up whatever discrepancy they found in your tax return.

Reasons For a Tax Audit in Sterling Heights, Michigan

A tax audit in Michigan can be conducted for almost any reason at all

As mentioned above, an audit can happen simply because a person was chosen for an audit at random. If you are randomly chosen for a tax audit, and you have been honest and diligent in preparing your tax documents, it will probably be a quick, painless process, and you likely don't have anything to worry about.

However if the IRS or other tax agency suspects actual wrongdoing by a Sterling Heights, Michigan taxpayer, that's a different matter. There are many different reasons why a government might decide to audit a taxpayer. The most common one is suspicion that they have underreported their income. If a taxpayer buys a large number of expensive luxury items, but reports little or no income on their tax returns, the government will definitely want to know where the money to buy all those things came from, and why it hasn't been declared as taxable income.

If you claim such a large number of deductions that your tax liability is unusually low, you may well be subject to an audit in Sterling Heights, Michigan. A deduction is an allowable reduction in your taxable income, requiring you to pay taxes on a smaller portion of your income. Certain business expenses and charitable donations are common sources of tax deductions. However, some people add invalid deductions to their tax returns to reduce their tax burden. If the IRS is suspicious about your deductions, you should make sure you have proper documentation to back them up.

How Can A Sterling Heights, Michigan Tax Lawyer Help?

If you experience an audit in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and believe that you have properly reported all of your income on your tax filings, it will probably go fine. And if there is anything wrong with your filings, it was likely the result of an honest mistake, and auditors are generally sensitive to this fact. In such cases, the penalty is usually light. It will probably be little more than a requirement that you pay back taxes and interest.

However, there are times when an audit is conducted to investigate far more serious issues. If you find yourself facing allegations from the IRS of serious wrongdoing, and believe yourself to be innocent, you should seek the advice of a Sterling Heights, Michigan tax attorney immediately.

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Life in Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights, Michigan is an important suburb of Detroit. It is located in Macomb County, about half an hour away from downtown Detroit. The city is most noted as a recipient of various safety awards, and was named Michigan's safest city in 2010. Sterling Heights maintains a "Sidewalk Inspection Program", which utilizes meter readings for reporting hazardous sidewalks conditions.

The local economy of Sterling Heights is stimulated by the presence of over 3,500 industrial and commercial businesses. Major employers in the city include General Dynamics, Visteon, and Detroit Free Press. Of notable interest in Chrysler's Sterling Heights Stamping Plant, the world's largest stamping plant for metals. Sterling Height's close location to Detroit has also attracted several automotive industry companies.

In addition to its diverse economy, Sterling Heights is an excellent city for families. The city holds several very popular events such as Music in the Park, "A Sterling Christmas", and Sterlingfest. Residents can also visit Dodge Park, which serves as host to a number of concerts and events throughout the year.

Lawyers in Sterling Heights, Michigan offer legal service in a wide range of legal fields. They are experienced in a variety of legal matters and disputes. Many Sterling Heights attorneys represent clients in the Macomb County District Court.

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