Should one retain a professional to represent her in an audit?

The answer is definitely “Yes.”  The primary thing that needs to be addressed in an audit is to supply the revenue officer with a complete set of documents and information that he requests, but not extraneous information.  The professional representative can make sure that is accomplished.  It will make the audit go faster and easier. Your representative will meet with the auditor on your behalf to present your case. Also, if your representative feels that the auditor made a mistake in his findings, the case can be appealed and the taxpayer will have another chance to present his case.  After the audit, if the taxpayer does owe additional taxes, a payment arrangement can be established to pay the debt . By the way, most audits are initiated by random selection based on factors like a Schedule C sole proprietorship or a large difference in income from the previous year or higher than average medical bills or charitable deductions.