How to Prepare for an IRS Audit: What the Agency's Internal Guides Reveal About Your Business

ARTICLE | October 31, 2025

When the IRS sends an audit notice, most business owners feel their stomach drop. The prospect of facing federal tax examiners can be daunting, particularly when you're unsure what they'll scrutinize or how deeply they'll dig into your financial records. But what if you could prepare for an audit by reviewing the exact same materials the IRS uses to train its examiners? What if you could understand, in advance, precisely which aspects of your business will draw the closest attention and what documentation you'll need to have ready? The good news is that you can. The IRS publishes comprehensive Audit Techniques Guides that provide an unprecedented window into the agency's examination strategies, industry-specific compliance concerns, and the red flags that trigger deeper scrutiny. 

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