Tax Audit in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Find the right Tax Audit attorney in Wilkes Barre, PA

Tax Audit Lawyers in Wilkes Barre

An "audit" is an administrative proceeding in Wilkes Barre, 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 normally 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.

The procedure of being audited in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania is normally pretty simple. If and when the tax authorities decide to audit you, they'll send you a letter in the mail detailing what's about to happen. If you receive such a letter, it's extremely important that you make sure it's authentic. Sometimes, scam artists will send fake audit notices to people, claiming that they owe the government money. They will then collect their "taxes" and disappear. You should do an internet search for the name of the tax authority that the letter claims to represent, and call them to verify that you are being audited.

After confirming that the letter informing you of your audit is authentic, there are many things you can do to prepare for your meeting with the auditor. The first 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 evidence 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 contentions 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 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

There are several reasons why the federal government, or the government of Pennsylvania may want to audit a taxpayer.

As discussed earlier, tax audits can be conducted at random. Evidently, the government doesn't have the resources to audit every taxpayer under their jurisdiction. But, by conducting a considerable 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 certainly have nothing to worry about.

But, some Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania tax audits occur for a certain reason. This is normally because the IRS or your local tax authority suspects that you have not reported all of your income on your tax return. For example, 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 extremely 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.

Another frequent reason for tax audits in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania is when a taxpayer claims a large number of deductions. A deduction is simply a legally-authorized subtraction from a person's taxable income. For instance, charitable donations can be deducted from one's income in the full amount of the donation. However, if a person claims a very large number of deductions, to the point that they claim little or no tax liability, the tax authorities are going to take a closer look.

How Can A Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania Tax Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the business end of a tax audit in Wilkes Barre, 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 probably don't have any cause for concern, other than the inconvenience that an audit represents. If you are found 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.

But, in more difficult cases, chances are you would be well-served by a tax lawyer in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to ensure that your tax audit goes smoothly.

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Life in Wilkes Barre

Wilkes-Barre, population 43,000, is located in Luzerne County in the state of Pennsylvania. The city recently celebrated the 200th anniversary of its incorporation in 1806. Wilkes-Barre belongs to the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As the county seat, Wilkes-Barre is an important economic and residential hub for Luzerne County. It features a blend of historic sites with modern technological accommodations. For example, popular places to visit in Wilkes-Barre include the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion and the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre. Luzerne County Museum is also located in the city.

Wilkes-Barre is also an excellent place for education and advancement opportunities. Wilkes University and King's College, which were both recently expanded, can be found in the city. Also, several large employers like GUARD Insurance Group and Benco Dental Supply Co. are situated in Wilkes-Barre. The city also implemented extensive renovation projects beginning in 2009.

Wilkes-Barre lawyers usually assist their clients at the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas located in the city. Lawyers in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania are known for providing quality services in a variety of legal fields and specialties. Many of them have received accreditation in multiple state bars.

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