IRS Representation in Fort Lauderdale

IRS Representation Services

CPA Firm South Florida assists clients with a broad range of IRS matters. The appropriate strategy depends on the notice, tax period, amount involved, financial circumstances, and available documentation.

• Correspondence, office, and field audits: Review the IRS notice, prepare supporting documentation, respond to information requests, and represent the taxpayer during the examination when authorized.
• Installment agreements: Evaluate payment-plan options and help prepare the financial and tax information required for an appropriate request.
• Offers in compromise: Review eligibility and prepare an offer when the facts, financial information, and IRS requirements support consideration of this option.
• Penalty-abatement requests: Analyze the facts and available records to determine whether reasonable-cause or other penalty-relief provisions may apply.
• Federal tax liens and levies: Address collection notices, review deadlines, communicate with the IRS, and evaluate available collection alternatives.
• Unfiled tax returns: Help reconstruct records, prepare missing returns, and bring filing obligations current as part of a broader compliance plan.
• IRS appeals: Review disputed findings and help prepare an administrative appeal when the procedural posture, evidence, and deadlines allow it.

No representative can guarantee that an assessment will be eliminated, a penalty will be removed, or a settlement will be accepted. Our role is to provide accurate, organized, and timely representation based on the facts of your case.

What Is IRS Audit Representation?

IRS audit representation is professional assistance during an IRS examination or related tax controversy. With a properly completed power of attorney, an authorized representative may communicate with the IRS, respond to requests, attend meetings, present documentation, and advocate for the taxpayer within the scope of the authorization.

The IRS recognizes attorneys, certified public accountants, and enrolled agents as professionals with unlimited representation rights before the agency. They may represent taxpayers in matters that include audits, collections, and appeals. See the IRS guidance on who may represent taxpayers and powers of attorney and other authorizations.

How CPA Firm South Florida Handles an IRS Matter

1. Review the Notice and Protect the Deadline

We begin by identifying the tax period, issue, response date, and IRS office involved. Not every IRS letter is an audit, and different notices create different rights and deadlines. A careful review prevents the matter from being treated as something it is not.

2. Review Returns, Transcripts, and Prior Correspondence

We examine the relevant tax returns, available IRS transcripts, prior notices, payments, and earlier communications. This allows us to compare the taxpayer's records with the information the IRS is using.

3. Build a Documentation Strategy

We organize records around the specific items being questioned. Supporting documents may include bank statements, receipts, mileage logs, payroll records, bookkeeping reports, invoices, contracts, Forms W-2 and 1099, entity returns, and prior-year filings. The necessary records depend on the issue under review.

4. Communicate With the IRS

When authorized, we prepare responses, speak with IRS personnel, attend conferences or examination meetings, and keep the client informed. Form 2848 is commonly used to appoint an authorized representative for particular tax matters and periods.

5. Evaluate the Resolution Path

The next step may involve completing an audit response, requesting an installment agreement, evaluating an offer in compromise, requesting penalty relief, addressing a lien or levy, filing missing returns, or pursuing an administrative appeal. Recommendations are made only after reviewing the facts and eligibility requirements.

Correspondence, Office, and Field Audits

The IRS conducts audits by mail or through an in-person interview. An in-person audit may occur at an IRS office, the taxpayer's home or business, or the accountant's or representative's office. The IRS provides the initial contact and instructions by mail. More information is available from the IRS on its audit process.

Correspondence Audits

A correspondence audit generally requests documents or explanations by mail. We help identify what the IRS is asking, assemble a focused response, and avoid submitting unrelated or incomplete records.

Office Audits

An office audit involves a meeting at an IRS office concerning specified items. We prepare the supporting records and represent the taxpayer during the meeting when authorized.

Field Audits

A field audit is generally used for more complex matters and may involve a review at a business location or representative's office. These examinations benefit from a controlled document-production process, clear communication, and careful tracking of requests and deadlines.

IRS Tax Resolution Options

Installment Agreements

An installment agreement may allow an eligible taxpayer to pay an IRS balance over time. We review filing compliance, financial information, the amount owed, and the available payment-plan procedures. The IRS explains its current options on its payment-plan application page.

Offers in Compromise

An offer in compromise may allow an eligible taxpayer to settle a tax liability for less than the full amount owed. Acceptance is not automatic. The IRS evaluates factors that include income, expenses, asset equity, ability to pay, filing compliance, and the facts supporting the request. We help determine whether an offer is a realistic option and prepare the supporting information when appropriate. Review the IRS offer-in-compromise requirements.

Penalty Relief

Penalty relief may be available under first-time-abatement, reasonable-cause, statutory-exception, or other applicable provisions. The taxpayer must meet the requirements for the type of relief requested. We review the compliance history, circumstances, timing, and documentation before recommending a request. The IRS provides an overview of penalty relief.

Liens and Levies

A federal tax lien is a legal claim against property, while a levy is a legal seizure of property to satisfy a tax debt. Collection notices can have short response deadlines. We review the notice, confirm the account history, communicate with the IRS when authorized, and evaluate collection or appeal options. Learn more from the IRS about federal tax liens and levies.

Unfiled Tax Returns

Unfiled returns can prevent a taxpayer from obtaining certain collection alternatives and may increase enforcement risks. We help identify missing years, obtain available wage and income information, reconstruct records, prepare delinquent returns, and establish a path toward current compliance.

IRS Appeals

A taxpayer who disagrees with certain IRS findings or collection actions may have administrative appeal rights. Deadlines and procedures depend on the notice and issue involved. We review the findings, supporting evidence, procedural history, and available appeal route. See the IRS information about the Independent Office of Appeals.

IRS Representation for Individuals and Business Owners

Individual IRS matters may involve income reporting, deductions, dependents, investments, self-employment income, foreign reporting, or prior-year filings. Business matters may involve payroll, sales records, owner compensation, contractor classification, entity returns, bookkeeping, expenses, and information-reporting obligations.

CPA Firm South Florida works with individuals, self-employed professionals, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. Our accounting and tax experience allows us to evaluate the underlying records as well as the procedural requirements of the IRS matter.

What to Bring to Your Initial Consultation

Bring or securely provide the records you already have. Useful items may include:

• The IRS notice and its envelope
• Relevant federal tax returns
• IRS transcripts, if available
• Prior correspondence with the IRS
• Financial records connected to the issue
• Bookkeeping and payroll reports for a business matter
• A short timeline of prior communications and actions

Do not delay requesting help merely because every record is not yet available. The notice and response deadline are the first priorities.

Why Choose CPA Firm South Florida?

• Experienced CPA leadership: Peter Rudolph, CPA, brings more than 30 years of accounting and tax experience.
• Local Fort Lauderdale access: Meet at our office at 1041 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 201, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.
• In-person and virtual service: Work with the firm in the format appropriate for your situation.
• Year-round support: IRS matters and tax planning require attention beyond filing season.
• Clear communication: We explain the process, requested records, available options, engagement scope, and fees.
• No unrealistic promises: Recommendations and possible outcomes depend on the law, facts, documentation, IRS procedures, and eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a CPA represent me before the IRS?

Yes. CPAs, attorneys, and enrolled agents generally have unlimited representation rights before the IRS. A properly completed Form 2848 is commonly used to authorize representation for specified matters and tax periods.

Do I have to speak directly with the IRS after hiring a CPA?

An authorized representative can handle many communications and participate in interviews on your behalf. Whether you must personally attend or respond depends on the IRS request and circumstances. The IRS may require personal attendance in certain situations, including when an administrative summons applies.

What is the difference between Form 2848 and Form 8821?

Form 2848 grants a qualified representative authority to act for the taxpayer regarding specified matters. Form 8821 generally authorizes access to confidential tax information but does not authorize representation before the IRS.

Can you stop an IRS levy?

Available options depend on the notice, deadline, filing compliance, financial circumstances, and collection status. Prompt action is important. No representative can promise that every levy will be released, but we can review the facts, communicate with the IRS when authorized, and evaluate available remedies.

Can you reduce IRS penalties?

Penalty relief may be available when the taxpayer meets the requirements for first-time abatement, reasonable cause, a statutory exception, or another relief provision. We evaluate the facts and documentation before recommending a request; relief is not guaranteed.

How much does IRS representation cost?

Fees depend on the type of notice, number of tax periods, condition of the records, amount of communication required, and whether the matter involves an audit, collection issue, appeal, or tax-resolution request. We discuss the proposed scope and fees before beginning an engagement.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. CPA Firm South Florida offers a free 20-minute initial consultation. Having the IRS notice and available transcripts ready helps us use that time effectively.

Request IRS Help Before the Deadline Passes

Preserve the IRS notice, identify the response date, and gather the records you already have. Then contact CPA Firm South Florida before the deadline passes.

CPA Firm South Florida
1041 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 200-3234
Website: https://cpafirmsouthflorida.com/

Request your free 20-minute initial consultation.

About the Author

Peter Rudolph, CPA, is the managing partner of CPA Firm South Florida. He provides tax preparation, IRS representation, accounting, and year-round tax-planning services for individuals and businesses in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida. Learn more about Peter Rudolph, CPA.

This page provides general information and does not constitute legal or tax advice for a specific matter. Representation and available resolution options depend on the facts, applicable law, IRS procedures, eligibility requirements, and the terms of a written engagement.