I received an audit letter from the tax authority — what should I do first?
I got a letter saying my return from two years ago has been selected for examination. They want receipts for business expenses. I am self-employed and my records are a bit disorganised. How worried should I be?
1 lawyer answer
First, read the letter carefully and note the response deadline. Many audits are limited to specific items and are handled by mail. Responding on time matters more than anything else.
Next, gather the records for the items they asked about: receipts, bank statements, invoices, mileage logs. If records are missing, you may be able to reconstruct them from bank and card statements.
Consider professional help before responding, especially if the amounts are large or there is any concern beyond simple record-keeping. Tax lawyers, accountants and enrolled agents can all represent taxpayers, though only lawyers offer attorney-client privilege.
This is general information, not legal advice — speak to a licensed lawyer about your situation.
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