Tax Audit Defense & Representation in Chicago, IL
A tax audit notice doesn't have to mean financial disaster. At Lewis.cpa, our CPAs file Form 2848, take over communication with the auditor, and work to shrink the proposed assessment before penalties and interest compound — drawing on 38 years of audit experience for clients in Chicago and across the country.
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Chicago CPA Firm for Tax Audit Defense
For nearly four decades, Lewis.cpa has defended individuals and businesses against IRS audits, Illinois Department of Revenue reviews, and multi-state examinations. After representing clients in thousands of cases, we know what auditors focus on, what documentation supports your position, and where their authority begins and ends. Our defense combines thorough preparation, careful information control, and skilled negotiation backed by deep tax law expertise.
Our Tax Audit Defense Services
Our audit representation services cover every stage of the process, from the initial IRS or state notice through examination, resolution, and appeals when warranted. Our services include:
Initial Audit Notice Review and Strategy
The first 30 days after receiving an audit notice are critical. We review the notice immediately, identify the issues at risk, evaluate your documentation position, and develop a defense strategy before any contact with the auditor. It’s common for this early planning to determine the entire trajectory of the examination.
IRS Audit Representation
We serve as your authorized representative through Power of Attorney (Form 2848), handling all communication with the IRS so you never have to speak directly with the auditor. We help control the flow of information by deciding what documents to provide, how to respond to auditor questions, and how to explain your tax positions, reducing the chance of the audit expanding beyond its original focus.
State Tax Audit Help
State tax audits follow different rules than federal examinations, and Illinois has its own procedures, timelines, and appeal rights. Whether you’re facing an audit from the Illinois Department of Revenue or another state taxing authority, we represent clients in income tax, sales tax, and withholding tax examinations nationwide.
Document Preparation and Organization
Auditors judge your credibility partly by the quality of your records. We organize and present your documentation professionally, identifying gaps before the auditor finds them and preparing supporting explanations for items that lack ideal records. Strong documentation can help resolve audits more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of significant adjustments.
Audit Defense Negotiation
When the auditor proposes adjustments, we negotiate. Many proposed assessments include items that won't survive scrutiny, calculations that have errors, or positions that can be challenged with proper documentation. Our negotiation experience routinely reduces proposed assessments significantly before they're finalized.
Appeals Representation
If the audit concludes with an unfavorable result, we represent you through the IRS Appeals process or the equivalent state appeals procedures. Appeals officers have greater flexibility than auditors when resolving disputes. Many cases that cannot be resolved during an audit reach a more favorable outcome through the appeals process.
Penalty Abatement
Audits frequently produce penalty assessments alongside tax adjustments. We pursue penalty abatement based on reasonable cause, first-time abatement provisions, and other available relief, often eliminating penalties even when the underlying tax adjustment stands.
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Don't Face the IRS Alone
If you've received an audit notice, time matters. Contact Lewis.cpa today for a free consultation and audit defense strategy.
Contact Us TodayTax Audit Defense for Your Business
If you own a business under examination by the IRS or a state taxing authority, our experienced CPAs deliver the representation you need. Industry-specific audit patterns determine how we tailor your defense.
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Retail businesses often face sales and use tax audits in addition to income tax examinations, with reviews frequently focused on exempt sales activity, taxability decisions, and changes in reported tax payments. We defend retailers on inventory accounting, exempt sales documentation, multi-state nexus issues, and gross receipts analysis.
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We defend law firms facing IRS and state audits involving trust account handling, partner compensation, retainer income recognition, and business expense deductions. Our documentation strategies are tailored to legal industry practices and partnership taxation.
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Construction audits often focus on worker classification, percentage-of-completion accounting, equipment depreciation, and subcontractor payments. We represent contractors through examinations involving job costing, retainage, and multi-state operations.
Not-for-profit organizations face Form 990 examinations, UBIT audits, and exempt status reviews. We defend nonprofits through these examinations while protecting the tax-exempt status that funds their mission.
Tax Audit Defense for Individuals
If you've received a CP2000 notice, an IDOR letter, or any other examination notice questioning items on your return, we protect your rights and work to close the case with the smallest possible assessment.
We defend W-2 employees, self-employed taxpayers, real estate investors, high-net-worth individuals, and clients with innocent spouse, residency, or multi-state filing issues. No matter what, you’ll face the IRS with experienced advocates beside you.
Why Choose Us for Tax Audit Defense?
Tax audits demand seasoned judgment and a representative who knows how to protect your interests at every stage. Here's what sets us apart from our competitors.
Experienced CPAs
Federal & State Reach
Proven Results
Total Discretion
Our Tax Audit Defense Process
We follow a structured process designed to control the examination, protect your interests, and resolve the audit on the best possible terms.
Notice Review & Risk Assessment
We review your audit notice, identify the issues being examined, and assess your exposure so we can strengthen supported positions and address potential weaknesses.
Documentation & Strategy
We gather all relevant records, address documentation gaps, and develop a written defense strategy covering each issue, supporting authority, and anticipated auditor concerns before any contact begins.
Audit Management
We handle all communication with the auditor, control document production, attend meetings on your behalf, and manage the pace and scope of the examination from start to finish.
Resolution & Appeals
When the audit concludes, we negotiate proposed adjustments, pursue penalty abatement, and represent you through appeals if the outcome warrants challenging the findings.
Client Reviews
Audit Defense FAQs
How much does tax audit representation cost?
Audit defense fees depend on the type of audit, the complexity of the issues, the number of years involved, and how the examination progresses. Correspondence audits are typically less expensive than field audits. Rest assured that we provide clear fee estimates after reviewing your audit notice and discussing the scope of representation needed.
Can you represent me if my return was prepared by someone else?
Yes. We commonly defend taxpayers whose returns were prepared by other accountants or by themselves. Our role is to represent you in the audit, not to defend the original preparer's work. We'll review the return, pinpoint the issues, and build the strongest defense available based on the facts.
What happens if I ignore an audit notice?
It’s never ideal to ignore an audit, as the situation will almost certainly become worse. The IRS or state will proceed with the examination based on whatever information they have, typically resulting in maximum assessments with full penalties and interest. Engaging representation promptly helps keep your options open.
How long does a tax audit take?
Correspondence audits often resolve in three to six months. Office audits typically take six to twelve months. Field audits can extend a year or longer, particularly for complex business returns. State audit timelines vary by jurisdiction and complexity.
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Get Professional Audit Defense Today
The decisions you make in the first weeks of an audit shape the entire outcome. Partner with CPAs who defend audits for a living and put 38 years of tax authority experience between you and the IRS. Contact us today for a free consultation and audit defense strategy tailored to your situation.