
Receiving notice that your tax return is being audited can be stressful. Even small errors may trigger deeper investigations and could potentially lead to tax crime charges. An Oklahoma City tax audit lawyer can help you take the proper steps during an audit to protect your rights, properly respond to requests for information, and protect your legal and financial interests.
David Coffin PLLC is an experienced tax law firm that has handled countless federal and Oklahoma tax audit cases. Attorney David Coffin brings experience as a Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he represented the IRS. This experience has given him deep insight into the tax audit laws and how to build a strong legal strategy. The team at David Coffin PLLC has over 40 years of combined experience.
Tax audits are reviews conducted by the IRS or the Oklahoma Tax Commission to verify that the information reported on a tax return is accurate. In the 2025 fiscal year, the IRS closed 497,621 tax return audits. In this fiscal year, tax return audits led to $26.8 billion more in taxes.
There are many reasons an audit may be conducted, including signs such as mathematical inconsistencies, large deductions, or high income. It is also possible for your tax law returns to be automatically selected, or for an audit to be triggered by information reported by a third party.
Audits can be conducted in multiple ways. For example, many audits involve mailed requests for further information. At the same time, you may be asked to meet with an IRS or Oklahoma Tax Commission representative to discuss your case. In more complex cases, someone from the relevant tax agency may meet you at your home, business, or another location to conduct a field audit and investigate your case more deeply.
During an audit, the agency may review the information in your tax return. However, they may also require additional documentation to compare to your return or to verify accuracy, such as bank statements, financial records, or receipts.
Several types of evidence may be requested during a tax audit, including:
The IRS or the Oklahoma Tax Commission can use several methods to gather information to use in a tax audit. This includes directly requesting you for information or using a subpoena. It is important to comply with requests for information to avoid triggering penalties under tax audit laws.
Under federal tax audit laws, audits can involve tax returns filed within the last three years. Most evidence that a tax agency requests is also within this timeframe, though you may use older evidence to support your defense if it provides relevant information for your tax audit case.
Many tax audits are routine and end with little or no change to a taxpayer’s liability. However, the potential for additional taxes, penalties, or even criminal investigations makes it important to take a tax audit seriously. Some times when you should contact an Oklahoma City tax audit lawyer include if the audit involves:
You should also reach out to a lawyer if you have questions about what to do or what your rights are, or if you are concerned about a criminal investigation. If an audit has concluded and you wish to appeal the decision, either through the tax agency or in court, you should reach out to an Oklahoma City tax audit attorney who can help you build a strong case.
A tax audit may be triggered by several factors or can even be triggered through random selection. It is difficult to predict whether a certain tax filing is going to be audited. However, your taxes may be more likely to be audited if they involve:
While you are not legally required to hire a tax audit lawyer, it can be beneficial, especially if the audit involves substantial tax liability, complex financial issues or evidence, or the possibility of tax crime allegations. A tax audit lawyer can represent you during the investigation to avoid misunderstandings or errors that may lead to worsened outcomes, and to prepare a defense strategy if necessary.
If you receive notice that the IRS is auditing your taxes, make sure to begin by carefully reading the letter, taking note of any requests for information and deadlines. Gather the documents requested, but avoid providing additional information without first consulting a lawyer. Keeping organized records, responding quickly, and speaking with a lawyer if you have questions or if your case does not resolve quickly can help you avoid negative outcomes.
As a taxpayer, you have several rights during a tax audit. This includes:
While many tax audits end without any significant negative impacts on the taxpayer, many do end in higher taxes or criminal tax investigations. Beyond the outcome of a tax audit case, the experience itself can be stressful, confusing, and overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the legal process.
At David Coffin PLLC, we can help you minimize your risk of a negative outcome. Contact us now to set up a consultation with our team.
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experienced tax lawyer, send an email using the online form