Tax Audit in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Find the right Tax Audit attorney in Bethel Park, PA

Tax Audit Lawyers in Bethel Park

An "audit" is an administrative proceeding in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania whereby the IRS, or a local tax-collection agency looks at a person's (or business's) tax filings in more detail than they do in ordinary cases. This is usually done when the tax return has a suspicious discrepancy on it, or if the taxpayer was simply picked at random. It's not uncommon for tax authorities to conduct random audits, providing people with an incentive to be honest on their taxes, knowing that they could be audited at random.

In Bethel Park, Pennsylvania the procedure of being audited is relatively simple. If you are chosen to be audited, you will receive a letter in the mail telling you as much. It's important to verify the authenticity of this letter, because sometimes con-artists will pose as tax authorities, and conduct fake audits of unsuspecting taxpayers, then claim that they owe the government more money. If the victim pays, the scammer takes the money and runs. To verify that a letter is authentic, you should contact the nearest branch of the relevant tax authority. Do not simply call the number provided to you in the letter, since it will probably lead to the scammer. Use a phonebook or the Internet to find the actual number you should call.

After confirming that the letter informing you of your audit is authentic, there are several things you can do to prepare for your meeting with the auditor. The initial thing you need to do is call them and arrange to meet at a time that's mutually convenient. You should bring any documents and records that the auditor requests, as well as any proof that you think might be helpful in answering the auditor's questions. The auditor will ask you any questions that he or she believes will clear up whatever issues they have with your return. You should answer all of these questions truthfully, as it is illegal to lie to a tax auditor.

Reasons For a Tax Audit in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

There are plethora of reasons why Pennsylvania's government, or the federal government, might conduct a tax audit.

As considered earlier, tax audits can be conducted at random. Obviously, the government doesn't have the resources to audit every taxpayer under their jurisdiction. But, by conducting a significant number of random audits each year, taxpayers are, in theory, discouraged from cheating on their taxes, because they know that they might be audited randomly. If you are chosen for a random audit, and have done everything right, you almost definately have nothing to worry about.

But, some Bethel Park, Pennsylvania tax audits happen for a specific reason. This is usually because the IRS or your local tax authority suspects that you have not reported all of your income on your tax return. For instance, suppose that, last year, you bought an expensive new luxury car. But say you only claimed ,000 in total income that year. As you might imagine, the IRS is going to be very interested in finding out where the money for that car came from, and, if you have enough money to buy it, why you aren't paying taxes on that money.

It is also typical to be audited in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania if you claim a wide number of deductions. A tax deduction is simply a legal subtraction from one's taxable income. Various different expenses, including charitable donations, interest paid on mortgages, and others, are deductible from one's taxes. If you claim so many deductions that you have negated almost all of your tax liability, you can bet that the government is going to be suspicious.

How Can A Bethel Park, Pennsylvania Tax Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the business end of a tax audit in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and you are sure that you have reported all of your income, and not claimed any invalid deductions, chances are you were just chosen at random for an audit, and you likely don't have any cause for concern, other than the inconvenience that an audit represents. If you are deemed to owe any back taxes, and your failure to pay in the past was the result of an honest mistake, you'll likely be afforded a chance to pay any taxes you owe from past years, with the possible addition of interest.

Nonetheless, if the situation is more perplexing, you may need to hire a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania tax attorney. A tax attorney can help you through your audit, and make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.

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Life in Bethel Park

Bethel Park, population 33,000, is located in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. Though recently incorporated in 1949, its existence as a settlement dates back to the early 1800's. In 1978 Bethel Park residents instituted a Home Rule form of Government. This provides the municipality and Council with greater governance powers than a traditional municipal scheme.

Bethel Park is quaintly situated in the southern hills of the Pittsburgh area. It is located about 8 miles south of Pittsburgh. The city's recreation department currently hosts several activities such as Summer Fun Day and local flea markets. The city also has a Farmer's Market which is open every Tuesday. Recreational activities such as swimming classes, tennis instruction, and aquatic programs are held throughout the city's recreation centers. Some of these centers include the Community Center, Village Green Park, Simmons Park, and Millennium Park.

Other points of interest in Bethel Park include the South Park Wave Pool, South Park Hundred Acres Manor, South Hills Village, and Blade Runners. Pittsburgh's first drive-in theater was also located in Bethel Park. The theater has recently been replaced with several retail shops and restaurants.

Lawyers in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania often file their cases in the Bethel Park District Court located in the town's Municipal Building. Bethel Park lawyers specialize in a wide variety of legal matters and issues.

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