If you are being audited by the State of Florida, Department of Revenue, hire Florida’s best. Call Fresh Start Tax at 1-866-700-1040 Freshstarttax.com
With over 100 years of experience, the tax professionals at Fresh Start Tax can help and guide you through the process of the State of Florida, Department of Revenue audit, warrant or other sales tax issues. We have a team of Board Certified Tax Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled agents and former IRS employees who were supervisors and audit managers with the Department of Revenue. We can help you get the results you need on the over 33 different tax issues the State of Florida imposes.
We want to give you some very basic information to help you with some of the most commonly asked questions by taxpayers and owners of businesses regarding the audit process.
Why you want to hire Fresh Start Tax:
* Over 100 years of tax experience
* Former tax audit manager with the State of Florida Department of Revenue
* Never have to speak with a State Agent
* The best possible settlement because of their experience
Why Taxpayers in the state of Florida are audited
Taxpayers are audited to:
* Enforce Florida tax laws uniformly
* Deter tax evasion and fraud
* Promote voluntary compliance for the taxpayer
* Educate the taxpayer of their responsibilities
While the State accepts most tax returns as filed, the State audits some returns to verify accuracy and evaluate compliance. Audits do not always result in the taxpayer owing additional tax, penalty or interest. The auditor may adjust a credit carryover or correct distribution without assessing additional tax. The auditor may even determine that a refund is due.
How taxpayers are selected for an audit
The methods for selecting a business or individual to audit vary from tax to tax. Here are some examples of sources used to identify a potential audit candidate:
* Internal Revenue Service provides information to the State
* Information sharing programs with other states and state agencies
* Computer-based random selection
* Analysis of Florida tax return information
* Business publications, periodicals, journals, and directories
What types of records I will need to provide
The State will notify you of it’s intent to audit and will also tell you what records you will need to provide. The types of records may include, but are not limited to:
* General ledgers and journals
* Cash receipt and disbursement journals
* Purchase and sales journals
* Sales tax exemption or resale certificates
* Florida tax returns
* Federal tax returns
* Depreciation schedules
* Property records
* Other documentation to verify amounts entered on tax returns
You must keep your records for three years since an audit can extend back that far. The Department (DOR) may audit for periods longer than three years if you did not file, or filed a substantially incorrect return or payment.
What my rights are doing an audit
The Florida Bill of Rights provides protection for taxpayers’ privacy and property during their interactions with Revenue employees. Your rights include:
* The right to fair treatment
* The right to get available information and prompt, accurate responses to your questions
* The right to have the Department begin and complete its audit in a timely manner after we notify you of our intent to audit
* The right to get simple, nontechnical statements which explain the reason for audit selection and the procedures, remedies, and rights available during audit, appeals, and collection proceedings.
Communicating and Meeting Deadlines
Throughout the audit process, communication is vital. After you are sent a Notice of Intent to Audit Books and Records, the auditor will work with you to set a date to begin the audit. The auditor will give you deadlines for providing information or documentation. If you need additional time to prepare, or need to request a delay for other reasons, contact the auditor. The auditor will make every effort to accommodate your requests. If you fail to respond or provide the requested information, an assessment may be issued and warrant filed based on the best available information.
What Happens When the Audit is Complete
After your audit is complete, you can review the audit findings and proposed changes to your tax liability. The auditor will give you a copy of the work papers and explain your rights, including deadlines for filing protests. If you agree with the audit findings, you are expected to pay the amount due in full. You have the right to protest the proposed changes if you disagree with them. “How to Pay” has more details.
Self-Audit/Self-Analysis
The Department uses self-audit or self-analysis projects to educate taxpayers on issues related to a particular compliance problem or industry. Selected taxpayers information is sent about a specific tax or issue, user-friendly instructions, and simple worksheets. They are asked to review the materials, complete the worksheets, calculate any additional tax due, and return the paperwork with payment. The auditor has limited contact with the taxpayer and does not visit the taxpayer’s location. The Department usually accepts the taxpayer’s responses. However, participation in a self-audit/self-analysis does not exempt the taxpayer from further audit review of the same time period.
Should you ever run into the problem of a tax audit from any State, call the professional team at Fresh Start Tax.
www.freshstarttax.com
1-866-700-1040
skype password FRESHSTARTTAX
