It may start with a phone call, or a visit to your place of business from someone in an official looking capacity, or perhaps a letter with the Illinois Department of Revenue logo on it.
However it begins, IDOR field examinations, usually with a focus on sales and use taxes, can be grueling endeavors. The Department will typically want to interview business owners, review bank records, invoices, sales reports and federal filings to determine if the state reports were accurate. The Department typically goes back three years in their audits and don’t quit there! If they determine that mistakes were made during the initial period, they are likely to come back during a “second cycle” audit. Further, the Department has wide latitude to assess penalties ranging from 20% to 50% of the understated taxes and in certain circumstances will look to hold individuals responsible for the failure to pay. It is critical that a Department audit be vigorously defended, and the principal of the Law Offices of Michael Raff, LLC has substantial experience and familiarity with examination techniques and ways to fight them. Make sure you speak to a qualified representative before proceeding!