On March 15th, 2018, Subchapter S Corporation (S-corps, for short), have their tax returns due. We’re already on top of things for our Cleveland clients, but this is a quick reminder to you to make sure that we’ve communicated, and that your books don’t contain any “hanging chads” that might come back to bite you.
Let me know if you need any quick help before the deadline.
But having been doing this for quite some time, I can predict that I might receive a few questions like these: How can I make sure I don’t get audited? What are my chances of getting audited? If I take that deduction, will it raise a red flag?
We get these and many more like it, regularly. And look — I am by no means exasperated by the questions. But receiving these questions enough, as I do, means that I should probably write about it.
So, I’ve put together a primer for my Cleveland business-owner clients and friends on avoiding audits, completely.
Here it is — and don’t make the mistake in thinking that just because the IRS budgets have decreased recently for this stuff, that no Cleveland business ever gets audited. Believe me, that is not the case…
What Are My Chances of Getting Audited? 11 Tips For Cleveland Small Businesses
“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” – James Thurber
I will say right up front: If this is overwhelming to you, there’s a simple solution — have us handle all of it for you. But if you want to tackle it all yourself, here’s what you should be doing…
1. Make sure that any third-party income and reports agree with your records.
2. Make sure you have selected the correct forms and schedules to fill out. Ask yourself: Do the forms apply? Am I stretching the situation? Are there credits that I am entitled to whose forms I haven’t included, but need to?
3. Keep track of bank deposits so that all items will be easy to trace. Write the source of the check directly on the deposit slip, especially transfers between accounts, so that these are not inadvertently counted as income.
The first thing tax auditors request are your checking, savings, and investment accounts. They then proceed to do a total cash receipts analysis, comparing the total to the gross income shown on your tax return. By marking every deposit slip, you know where to look for further documentation to support your notation, and the auditor will have the trail in front of him or her, for the source of the unusual nontaxable receipts such as insurance recoveries, loans, gifts, and inheritances. Surprisingly, it’s not that much work, and is worth the effort.
4. Always keep your checking and savings accounts free of irregularities. Be sure you can explain large bank deposits and increases (especially sudden ones) in your net worth. WARNING: If you have unreported income of more than 25% of your adjusted gross income, the auditor may turn your case over to the CID. If you suspect this may occur, do not provide any leads to the auditor regarding the sources of the unexplained deposits. The burden of proof is on the IRS. You do not have to provide leads that make their job easier.
5. Keep your Cleveland business and personal accounts separate.
6. If you know you are going to take a business deduction, pay for it by check.
7. Know the proper time to file. IRS computers are not programmed to review only those returns received before April 17th, 2018. So who is to say that late returns, those filed after the 17th, won’t be audited, or will be audited less than returns mailed earlier?
8. Be thorough. Don’t leave out any information. Sign where you are supposed to.
9. Be neat.
10. Check your mathematics.
11. Balance your total deductions with your income. Extensive deductions that add up to a substantial portion of your total income are audit flags.
Good Cleveland tax preparers will make you “audit proof” while being extremely aggressive with your business deductions. A good Cleveland tax preparer will also save you thousands of dollars a year and give you the security of knowing that all your deductions are legally defensible. We know that’s why you’ve chosen to rely on us … and we’re glad you rely on us to help you be Audit-Proof.
Feel very free to forward this article to a Cleveland business associate or client you know who could benefit from our assistance — or simply send them our way? While these particular articles usually relate to business strategy, as you know, we specialize in tax preparation and planning for Cleveland families and business owners. And we always make room for referrals from trusted sources like you.
Warmly,
Rich Rhodes
(833) Low-Taxx
First Tax Relief
