IRS REPRESENTATION & AUDIT DEFENSE
You’ve Received Something from the IRS. Here’s What to Do.
JTA–CPA provides direct CPA representation for Wisconsin businesses and individuals facing IRS audits, notices, back taxes, and collections. When the IRS contacts you, you have the right to professional representation — and you should use it.
Racine, WI · Serving SE Wisconsin & the Milwaukee–Chicago Corridor · CPA, CIA, CISA
15+ Years Experience • 375+ Clients Served
HOW WE HELP
IRS Problems We Handle
Whether you received a routine CP2000 notice or an examination appointment, the right response is the same: get professional representation in place before you respond to anything.
IRS Audits
Correspondence, office, and field examinations each follow different procedures and timelines. We respond to examination notices, prepare complete documentation packages, and represent you in meetings with the examiner. If the agent’s findings are wrong, we carry the case through IRS Appeals. Your records and positions are defended at every stage of the process.
IRS Notices & Letters
Not every IRS letter is an audit, but every notice requires a timely, documented response. Missing a deadline can convert a manageable CP2000 or math error notice into an automated assessment. We review what you received, explain exactly what it means, gather supporting documentation, and respond to the IRS before any deadline passes.
Unfiled Returns & Back Taxes
Unfiled returns trigger compounding Failure to File and Failure to Pay penalties that grow every month. The IRS can also file a Substitute for Return on your behalf — typically at your highest possible liability. We prepare accurate returns for all open years, calculate what you actually owe, and set a resolution path before enforcement action begins.
Tax Liens & Levies
When the IRS moves to collect against your assets or bank accounts, timing matters. We work to release liens, stop levies, and restore your standing before more damage is done.
Installment Agreements
If you can’t pay your full balance immediately, structured installment agreements are available for most balances. Eligibility and payment amounts depend on your income, assets, and allowable expenses — calculated on IRS standards. We prepare the required financial disclosures, select the right agreement type, and negotiate terms that are sustainable for your situation.
Offers in Compromise
An Offer in Compromise allows eligible taxpayers to settle a tax debt for less than the full amount owed. Acceptance depends on your Reasonable Collection Potential — income, assets, and allowable expenses on IRS terms. We evaluate your eligibility before applying, so you only pursue an offer that has a realistic chance of acceptance.
Penalty Abatement
First-time penalty abatement and reasonable cause requests can significantly reduce what you owe. We identify when you qualify and make the request in a way that holds up.
Innocent Spouse Relief
When a tax liability stems from a spouse’s actions on a joint return, relief may be available. We evaluate your situation and handle the filing if you have a valid claim.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why You Need a CPA, Not Just a Tax Preparer
Representation Rights
Only CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys are authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. A tax preparer — even an experienced one — cannot accompany you to an examination, respond to the IRS on your behalf, or negotiate a resolution. This distinction is not a technicality. If you’re facing anything beyond a routine correspondence notice, you need someone with full, unrestricted representation rights before all IRS offices.
At JTA–CPA, Steven Towne is a licensed CPA with unrestricted practice rights before all IRS offices — Examination, Collections, and Appeals. He files Form 2848 at the outset, which means the IRS communicates with him directly and cannot contact you without authorization. From first notice to final resolution, your interests are represented at every level. See our case studies for examples of outcomes for SE Wisconsin clients.
The CIA Credential — An Unusual Advantage
Most CPAs know tax law. Steven also holds the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) designation — one of the most demanding audit credentials available. CIA candidates complete rigorous testing on internal control frameworks, risk assessment, and audit evidence standards — the same principles that govern IRS examination procedures. See our internal audit services and assurance services for how these credentials apply beyond IRS representation.
In plain terms: we understand how auditors think, what they look for, and where documentation gaps create risk — before the IRS identifies them. When we prepare documentation packages for IRS submissions, we structure them the way auditors expect to receive evidence — organized, complete, and free of gaps that invite follow-up questions. That preparation leads to shorter examinations and better outcomes than reactive, piecemeal responses.
CPA
Wisconsin-Licensed
CIA
Certified Internal Auditor
CISA
Info Systems Auditor
THE PROCESS
What Happens When You Call
Most people don’t know what to expect when IRS representation starts. Here’s how we handle it.
Initial Review
Same or next business day
We review your IRS notice, return transcript, or situation at no obligation. You will know exactly what you are facing, what the IRS is authorized to do at this stage, which resolution options are realistic, and what representation would cost — before any engagement begins.
Power of Attorney
Within 24 hours of engagement
We file Form 2848 with the IRS immediately upon engagement. From this point forward, the IRS contacts us, not you. All notices are routed to our office, reviewed for accuracy and deadlines, and responded to under your Power of Attorney — without you needing to interpret IRS language or respond directly.
Active Representation
30 days to 18 months depending on issue
We manage all IRS communications, gather and organize documentation, meet every procedural deadline, and defend your positions at each stage of the process. If the examiner's findings are incorrect, we escalate to Appeals. You receive updates at every significant development — not just at the end.
Resolution
Confirmed in writing within 5 business days of IRS closing
Whether the outcome is a no-change letter, a negotiated payment arrangement, a penalty reduction, or an accepted offer, we confirm the matter is fully closed with the IRS. You receive written documentation of the resolution and a clear explanation of any ongoing compliance requirements so the issue does not reopen.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions About IRS Representation
What should I do when I receive an IRS letter?
Don’t ignore it and don’t respond immediately on your own. Read it carefully to understand what the IRS is asking for — most notices have a response deadline. Then contact us. We review the notice, tell you exactly what it means, and determine the right response. Many IRS letters are routine and resolve quickly with a properly documented reply. Others are the first step in an audit or collection action that requires immediate professional attention.
Do I need a CPA for an IRS audit, or can I handle it myself?
You can represent yourself, but it’s rarely in your interest. The IRS examiner has done this hundreds of times. You haven’t. Audits often expand in scope when taxpayers make inadvertent statements, provide too much documentation, or fail to assert positions they’re entitled to. A CPA with representation rights manages the process, communicates on your behalf, and keeps the examination contained.
What’s the difference between an IRS notice and an audit?
A notice is a written communication from the IRS about a specific issue — a math error, a missing form, a balance due, or a proposed change to your return. Most notices are not audits. An audit (also called an examination) is a formal review of your return where the IRS requests documentation to verify specific items. Both require a timely response, but audits are more involved and almost always warrant professional representation.
How long does IRS representation take?
It depends on what you’re dealing with. A straightforward notice response may resolve in weeks. A correspondence audit typically takes 2–4 months. A field or office examination can run 6–12 months depending on scope and IRS workload. Installment agreements and offers in compromise have their own timelines. We give you a realistic expectation at the outset — not a guess — based on what the IRS has communicated and where you are in the process.
What does IRS representation cost?
IRS representation is billed at our standard hourly rate, scoped to the work required. We give you an estimate at the initial review before any work begins. Simple notice responses cost less than extended audits or installment agreement negotiations. We won’t quote a flat fee for something with unknown scope — but we won’t let fees run uncontrolled either. You’ll know where you stand at every stage, and we’ll tell you if professional representation costs more than it’s likely to recover.
Can you help with Wisconsin Department of Revenue issues too?
Yes. Wisconsin Department of Revenue examinations and notices follow a similar process to IRS representation, but with Wisconsin-specific procedural rules and timelines. Income tax disputes, residency challenges, and sales tax audits are all areas we handle. Wisconsin’s audit process has its own administrative review options and settlement procedures, and local knowledge of how DOR examiners approach documentation and resolution matters when you’re trying to close the matter efficiently.
What is an Offer in Compromise and do I qualify?
An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an IRS program that allows qualifying taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount owed. Qualification depends on your ability to pay, income, allowable expenses, and asset equity — the IRS evaluates all of these under a specific formula called Reasonable Collection Potential. Most people who see OIC advertised do not actually qualify. We evaluate your situation honestly, run the IRS numbers before applying, and only pursue an offer when the formula genuinely supports it.
Related Reading
Don’t Respond to the IRS Without Representation
Schedule a free initial review. We’ll tell you exactly what you’re dealing with, what your options are, and what it costs to resolve it — before any work begins.
Phone: 630-338-9359 · Email: [email protected] · 500 College Ave, Racine, WI 53403
