This article has been updated with information for the 2023 & 2024 tax years. This article is guest authored by 20SomethingFinance reader and frequent commenter, Natalie H. Natalie is a tax preparer, so her advice here is very insightful and helpful. Her passion for answering income tax related questions is very evident in her comments – in fact, she doesn’t even have a website to link back to with her efforts here, she did it because she loves this stuff. Although many of us have filed taxes already, this post has lessons that should be heeded year round. Thanks for the great post, Natalie!
Even the mention of an IRS audit makes most people cringe. Last year, the IRS audited 0.25% of individual returns. That may not seem like much, but there are some individual profiles and situations that are much more likely to be audited than others. Here are seven situations that may increase your chances for an audit.
1. You work in a cash industry:
If you are a tip earner and/or get a significant portion of your income in cash, you may be more likely to be audited. If you work in a cash industry, keep a tip/cash journal. This could save you if there is a dispute.
2. You claim a loss on a schedule C:
The IRS Schedule C form (profit or loss from a business) is used not only by sole proprietors, but also by by independent contractors or other workers who get a 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC form instead of, or in addition to a w-2 at the end of the year. Although the IRS understands it is normal to have a loss on a schedule C, especially for the first year or two of a new business, they may question losses. This is especially so if this loss offsets wages earned by the same taxpayer and qualifies them for an earned income credit.
3. Your income and expenses are unusual for your neighborhood:
This is a new one since the IRS switched to its computer audit system. It compares your income to those of your neighbors and decides if yours is unusual. The system is more complex than stated here, but basically if you live in a neighborhood where the average income is $150k and you claimed $30k, the IRS’s computer may raise a metaphorical eyebrow. (G.E. note: this is a bit creepy, but it makes sense)
4. Your return is sloppy, inaccurate, or late:
If your return is handwritten, contains mathematical errors, or does not match the information supplied to the IRS on official reporting forms, you may be at an increased risk of an audit. Although a mathematical error in itself is not a big issue, the IRS may decide that your return is likely to contain more errors and decide it is worth a second look.
I’ve discussed how I successfully appealed an IRS penalty, which was created because of my own error.
5. You have a high income (or no income):
According to the IRS Data Book, IRS audit rates by income level are as follows (2020, the most recent year on record):
- For households with adjusted gross income (AGI) of $10 million or more, the audit rate was 2.4%.
- For households with AGI between $5 million to $10 million, the audit rate was 0.7%.
- For households with AGI between $1 million to $5 million, the audit rate was 0.4%.
- For households with AGI between $500,000 to $1 million, the audit rate was 0.4%.
- For households with AGI between $200,000 to $500,000, the audit rate was 0.2%.
- For households with AGI between $100,000 to $200,000, the audit rate was 0.1%.
- For households with AGI between $75,000 to $100,000, the audit rate was 0.1%.
- For households with AGI between $50,000 to $75,000, the audit rate was 0.1%.
- For households with AGI between $25,000 to $50,000, the audit rate was 0.2%
- For households with AGI between $1 to $25,000, the audit rate was 0.4%
- For households reporting an AGI of $0, the audit rate was 0.3%
As you can see, the highest and lowest income groups are the 2 most audited. The middle is audited much less.
6. You claim Earned Income Credit:
Earned income tax credit (EITC) is for low income taxpayers, especially those with children. It can be several thousand dollars if you are earning near the poverty line and have 2 or three kids. The IRS audits 0.9% of returns that claim the EITC. It is unfortunate but true that those the most in need are also the target of the most scrutiny. This is because the largest credit also attracts the most amount of tax fraud. The IRS estimates that 25% of people claiming EIC should not get the credit. I have seen this many times personally, so I don’t think they are far from the mark.
7. You are unlucky:
Although most audits are conducted because something on the return was suspicious, the IRS continues to conduct random audits just to keep us on our toes.
Final Thoughts on Getting Audited:
Although an audit can sound scary, the best way to combat an audit is by keeping good records and filing an accurate return. The IRS is usually lenient about penalties for honest mistakes if you can show a good reason why you thought your return to be accurate.
Also keep in mind that many audits start as a simple question about a particular item. If you have the documents to support your return, they may stop there, but if you cannot support your claim, they will keep asking questions.
There are varying opinions on how long to keep your tax records, but at a minimum, make sure to keep your return and all supporting documents for three years from the tax filing deadline or when you filed your return, if you filed late. If you want to be safe, you could digitally keep them stored in the cloud indefinitely.
Thoughts from G.E.: my recommendation would be to check out my list of the best tax software programs (and even a tax preparer if you have complicated taxes), as they will help you avoid costly mistakes that could lead to an IRS audit.
Audit Discussion:
Have you ever been audited? Share your experience!
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Stick with Turbo Tax…they have guarantees in place and are well worth it
Yah, I remember I got audited once for sloppy filing. I slipped a zero or something like that. I only made 6k but they targeted me because of a small error. The chances of you getting audited if you file correctly are next to nothing. However, if you slip a digit like I did, count on the IRS contacting you! One thing I’ve learned in life, never mess with the IRS!
Nice post. One quick add…if someone does end up in an audit situation. It’s worth it to get professional representation from an attorney or audit specialist.
I’ve been audited by the feds THREE times and the state once and I’m only 31. I had all of the cases dismissed in part because of my record keeping and the fact that I didn’t cheat. Keep good records! You need to be able to show where every dollar came from and went. It will make life easier when you do get audited. Hopefully they’ll leave me alone from now on.
The only thing I would add, use some sort of automated or online software to eliminate simple math errors, which send up red flags and get your return scrutinized.
Happy filing,
JimT
I have heard that it is almost EXCLUSIVELY homeowners who are audited. Renters, almost never. Just another item on the long, long list of why my fiance and I never want to buy.
#8 – You get hired by the IRS. They audit your last two years of returns. ;-)