Tax Audit in Harlingen, Texas

Find the right Tax Audit attorney in Harlingen, TX

Tax Audit Lawyers in Harlingen

An "audit" is an administrative proceeding in Harlingen, Texas 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 typically 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 Harlingen, Texas, the process of a tax audit is usually not confusing. 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 truly 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 stated 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 Harlingen, Texas

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

A taxpayer can be chosen for an audit at random, even if the tax authorities don't suspect any wrongdoing. The idea behind these random audits is to keep taxpayers on their toes. So, if you are audited for this reason, and know that you've done everything properly in filing your taxes, you will probably be fine.

However, some people in Harlingen, Texas are audited because the government suspects that they are underreporting their income. For example, if you report that you only make ,000 per year, and then go out and buy an expensive sports car, the IRS and state tax authorities are going to want to know where the money to buy that car came from.

It is also common to be audited in Harlingen, Texas if you claim a huge number of deductions. A tax deduction is simply a legal subtraction from one's taxable income. Many 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 Harlingen, Texas Tax Lawyer Help?

If you find yourself on the business end of a tax audit in Harlingen, Texas, 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.

However, there are some tax audits where the underlying facts are much more confusing than a simple misunderstanding. In these cases, a good tax attorney in Harlingen, Texas may be necessary to ensure that the process is as painless as it can possibly be.

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Life in Harlingen

Harlingen is city in Cameron County, Texas, located some 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico coastline. It has a population of about 65,000 people and is the second largest city in the county. Much of the city's initial development is due to the presence of Harlingen Air Force Base, which closed in the 1960's.

Harlingen is known for being a hot spot for many sports activities and facilities. The city is home to the Rio Grande Valley White Wings, a minor league baseball team. The Valley Race Park racetrack is an indoor facility where residents can watch greyhound races.

Other popular attractions in Harlingen include the World Birding Center and the Harlingen Art Forum. Harlingen is also an ideal city for those who appreciate the fine arts. The Rio Grande Valley Art League and the Rio Grande Valley Civic Association are involved in promoting several art-themed events. The Rio Grande International Music Festival is held yearly in Harlingen.

Lawyers in Harlingen, Texas reflect the city's commitment to fostering a volunteer spirit. Many Harlingen lawyers are participants in the city's numerous community service organizations. The city is served by the Harlingen Municipal Court.

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