Tax assessments can be a daunting process, but understanding what to expect can help make the process easier. A tax assessment is an examination of a taxpayer’s financial records to determine the amount of taxes owed. It is conducted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a state or local tax authority.
The first step in a tax assessment is for the IRS or other tax authority to send a notice of assessment. This notice will include the amount of taxes owed and the date by which the taxes must be paid. The taxpayer will also be given the opportunity to appeal the assessment if they believe it is incorrect.
Once the assessment has been issued, the taxpayer will be contacted by an IRS or other tax authority representative. This representative will ask questions about the taxpayer’s financial records and may request additional documents. The representative may also ask the taxpayer to provide a written explanation of any discrepancies between the records and the assessment.
The taxpayer may also be asked to attend an in-person meeting with the IRS or other tax authority representative. During this meeting, the representative will review the taxpayer’s financial records and ask additional questions. The taxpayer should be prepared to answer any questions and provide any additional documents requested.
At the end of the assessment, the taxpayer will be informed of the amount of taxes owed. If the taxpayer disagrees with the assessment, they can appeal the decision. The taxpayer can also request a payment plan if they are unable to pay the full amount of taxes owed.
Tax assessments can be a stressful process, but understanding what to expect can help make the process easier. Knowing the steps involved in a tax assessment and being prepared to answer questions and provide documents can help the process go more smoothly.