Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Finance Tax Relief Tax Audit Representation: Find IRS Assistance Updated Apr 11, 2025 11-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Ben Luthi Written by Ben Luthi Expertise: Credit cards, consumer credit, student loans, personal loans, mortgage loans, investing, banking, budgeting, debt Ben Luthi is a Salt Lake City-based freelance writer who specializes in a variety of personal finance and travel topics. He worked in banking, auto financing, insurance, and financial planning before becoming a full-time writer. Learn more about Ben Luthi Reviewed by Chloe Moore, CFP® Reviewed by Chloe Moore, CFP® Expertise: Equity compensation, home ownership, employee benefits, general finance Chloe Moore, CFP®, is the founder of Financial Staples, a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm based in Atlanta, GA, and serving clients nationwide. Her firm is dedicated to assisting tech employees in their 30s and 40s who are entrepreneurial-minded, philanthropic, and purpose-driven. Learn more about Chloe Moore, CFP® If the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) chooses to audit your tax return, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ve done something wrong. However, it can still be a daunting process to take on alone. If you’ve been notified of an audit, it could be worth seeking IRS audit representation, so you’ll have someone in your corner who is well-versed in the process and can help you assert your rights. Here are some of our top choices. Company Best for… Rating (0-5) 4.9 Visit Site Best Initial Investigation 4.9 Visit Site 4.6 Visit Site Best Money-Back Guarantee 4.6 Visit Site 4.4 Visit Site Best Customer Service 4.4 Visit Site 3 companies that offer IRS audit representation You can get help with IRS audit representation from a variety of sources, including accountants, tax firms and tax law groups. If you had a CPA prepare your return, you could start by asking them about representation. However, you may also want to shop around and compare other alternatives to ensure you get the best experience and results possible. Here are four firms to consider. Larson Tax Relief Best Initial Investigation 4.9 /5 Visit Site Why it’s one of the best Larson Tax Relief provides tax relief services for individuals and businesses dealing with tax debts. Established in 2005, it assists clients with personal and business tax issues. A standout benefit of Larson Tax Relief is the consultation it offers. Unlike most companies that charge a discovery fee, Larson will investigate your tax debt with the IRS or state for free during the consultation period. Larson also offers a 15-day money-back guarantee, ensuring client satisfaction. Money-back guarantee: Full refund if you aren’t satisfied within the first 15 days Free consultation: In-depth investigation of your tax debt with no discovery fee How does it work? You can get started with Larson Tax Relief by calling or by submitting your details through an online form to get a call back. You can also peruse the firm’s FAQ page or use its live chat function to get quick answers to some of your questions. Larson doesn’t provide specifics about how much its services cost after the initial free consultation. In general, though, the firm charges an average of $2,400. Customer satisfaction Larson Tax Relief has been offering tax services for nearly 20 years and has an excellent track record of customer satisfaction. The firm has an A+ rating from the BBB with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars across nearly 20 customer reviews. On Trustpilot, the firm carries an excellent rating with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars across more than 350 reviews. Anthem Tax Services Best Money-Back Guarantee 4.6 /5 Visit Site Why it’s one of the best Anthem Tax Services provides tax relief and preparation services for individuals and businesses. A standout feature is its 100% money-back guarantee—if Anthem can’t save you money or restructure your debt, it will refund your payment, excluding fees for bookkeeping, tax preparation, and the initial deposit. Working with Anthem Tax Services also means partnering with an experienced and accredited company. It holds certifications from the National Association of Tax Professionals, the California Tax Education Council, and the National Association of Enrolled Agents, among others. Anthem Tax Services offers a free consultation to help you determine whether its services are a fit for your needs. Money-back guarantee: Full refund if it doesn’t save you money or rework your debt. Free consultation: Assess whether its services meet your needs. Experienced and accredited: Certified by multiple professional tax organizations. How does it work? Anthem provides a wide range of services, including penalty abatement, tax levies, installment agreements and more. You’ll start by calling or by submitting your name, contact information and amount owed (if applicable) to request a call. You’ll discuss your situation and come up with an approach for responding to the federal tax agency. Unfortunately, Anthem doesn’t provide any details about how much its services cost beyond a $250 fee for the initial discovery process, so it’s hard to compare without going through the initial process to get a quote. Customer satisfaction Anthem touts on its website that it’s saved Americans millions of dollars in back taxes, and overall, it has stellar customer reviews. You’ll discuss your situation and come up with an approach for responding to the federal tax agency. Unfortunately, Anthem doesn’t provide any details about how much its services cost beyond a $250 fee for the initial discovery process, so it’s hard to compare without going through the initial process to get a quote. Precision Tax Relief Best Customer Service 4.4 /5 Visit Site Why it’s one of the best Precision Tax Relief specializes in resolving and reducing IRS or state tax debt for individuals and businesses. It charges one upfront fee based on your consultation, helping you avoid unexpected costs. With over 56 years of experience and excellent client reviews, Precision Tax Relief is a reliable choice for those dealing with tax debt. The company offers a free consultation and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. Money-back guarantee: Full refund if you aren’t satisfied within the first 30 days. No hidden fees: One upfront fee based on your consultation. Extensive experience: Over 56 years of experience with positive client reviews. Free consultation: Discuss your tax situation with an expert at no cost. How does it work? It’s important to note that Precision Tax Relief does not offer audit representation. However, it can help you negotiate your tax debt if you owe more than $10,000 after the IRS completes its audit. You can start by calling the phone number listed on the website to get a free consultation. If you decide to work with the firm, it can typically stop garnishments and bank levies within 24 hours. The firm doesn’t disclose its costs but does state that it charges a flat rate based on your needs, so you don’t have to worry about ongoing costs cropping up later. Customer satisfaction Precision Tax Relief has offered various tax services since 1967 and has a long history of solid customer service. The firm has an A+ rating from the BBB, with an average rating of 4.87 out of 5 stars across roughly 70 customer reviews. The company also has a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars across more than 1,800 reviews on Trustpilot. What is tax audit representation? Tax audit representation is a form of defense for taxpayers facing an audit with the help of tax professionals, tax attorneys, or tax relief companies. Once hired, the professional becomes the taxpayer’s authorized audit representative. They can help communicate with the IRS, accompany the taxpayer to meetings, or stand in for the taxpayer. What does an IRS tax representative do? An IRS tax representative is there to help with all aspects of the audit. First, they’ll assess the situation and review your tax returns. Then they’ll develop a strategy for defending you. They also may: Attend any in-person audit meetings with the IRS Accompany you to IRS interviews Prepare documents requested during the audit Handle communications with the IRS agent Appeal the results of your audit if you disagree with their findings The primary benefit of tax audit representation is guidance from an experienced professional. A tax representative can help you better understand the auditing process, ensure you’re prepared, and help you minimize any damage that might come from it. How much does tax audit help cost? The cost of IRS audit representation will vary depending on the firm you work with, your unique situation and the complexity of your audit. While some firms charge a flat fee, others may charge by the hour. Unfortunately, many tax relief firms don’t provide much detail about their costs on their websites, so it’s difficult to get a good comparison without going through multiple consultations. Another cost you’ll want to prepare for is the potential additional taxes, interest and penalties you may have to pay if the IRS finds that you owe back taxes. Here’s a quick summary of what to expect: CostTypical RangeHourly rate$200 – $400Flat fee$1,000 – $5,000+Unpaid taxes and interestDetermined by the IRSFailure to pay penalty0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month the taxes remain unpaidInterest8% compounded daily Note that if the IRS finds that you owe money, the tax relief firm that provided audit representation may also be able to help you negotiate a settlement and help you avoid wage garnishments and bank account levies. That said, results aren’t guaranteed, so make sure the firm you’re working with has a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the service. How to decide if you need IRS audit help The three types of audits are mail, office, and field audits. Mail audits are the simplest type. The IRS will mail you a letter and request additional documentation to verify your returns. Unless the document requests are complicated, you are unlikely to need representation for this type of audit. Office and field audits are in-person. With an office audit, you’ll go to a local IRS field office, whereas field audits are conducted at your home or business. In both cases, an IRS agent will question you, and you might want a representative to help you through it. Here are situations where it may make sense to consider representation and when you can reasonably do without: When to consider representationWhen to think twice about representationYou’re facing an office or field auditIt’s a simple mail auditYou don’t have certain requested documentsYour tax situation is generally straightforwardYou’re overwhelmed with the processYou have all the requested documentsYour tax situation is complex Ultimately, hiring IRS audit representation is up to you. Even if it’s a simple mail audit, you can still obtain representation if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just be sure to consider the potential costs to determine if it’s worth it for you. If you’re not sure whether audit representation is right for you, consider a free consultation with one or more tax relief firms to get some personalized advice. Read More 8 Red Flags That Trigger IRS Audits in 2025 FAQ Who can represent me in a tax audit? In a tax audit, you can be represented by a licensed professional such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), an Enrolled Agent (EA), or a tax attorney. These professionals are authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS and can provide expertise and guidance throughout the audit process. What are the common outcomes of a tax audit? The common outcomes of a tax audit include: 1. No Change: The IRS agrees with your tax return, and no adjustments are made. 2. Agreed: The IRS proposes changes, and you agree to the adjustments, resulting in additional taxes owed or a refund. 3. Disagreed: You do not agree with the proposed changes, leading to further negotiation, appeals, or litigation. How long does a tax audit take? The duration of a tax audit can vary significantly based on the complexity of the issues, the availability of documentation, and the type of audit (correspondence, office, or field audit). Typically, an audit can take from a few months to over a year to complete. Can I handle a tax audit myself without representation? Yes, you can handle a tax audit yourself without representation. However, it is often beneficial to seek professional help from a CPA, EA, or tax attorney, especially if the audit involves complex issues or substantial amounts of money. Professional representation can help ensure your rights are protected and the process is managed effectively. What documents do I need for a tax audit? For a tax audit, you may need to provide various documents, including but not limited to: Tax returns and supporting schedules Receipts and invoices Bank statements Payroll records Business expense records Investment records Any other documents that support the income, deductions, and credits reported on your tax return What happens if I disagree with the audit findings? If you disagree with the audit findings, you have the right to appeal the decision. You can request a meeting with an IRS manager, file a formal appeal with the IRS Office of Appeals, or pursue your case in Tax Court. It is advisable to seek professional representation to help navigate the appeals process and present your case effectively. How we selected the best tax representation companies LendEDU evaluates tax relief companies to help readers find the best tax relief services. Our latest analysis reviewed 400 data points from 20 companies, with 20 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.