Mixon Tax Law has released a new taxpayer guide titled 'IRS Audit Notice: What to Do First' to address the urgent response deadlines individuals and businesses face when receiving audit correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayers typically have 30 days to respond to an IRS audit notice, with extensions often available upon request for correspondence audits, making immediate strategic guidance necessary during this critical window.
An IRS audit notice can change the tone of a day fast. For most people, the first reaction is stress. The second is uncertainty — why was the return flagged, how serious is this, and what happens if the response makes things worse?
Ignoring audit correspondence triggers serious financial consequences that extend far beyond the original tax dispute. When taxpayers fail to respond, the IRS assumes agreement with all proposed changes and proceeds to assess additional taxes along with penalties that often reach 20 percent of the disputed amount. Collection actions follow swiftly, including wage garnishments and bank levies that can devastate personal finances and business operations.
Attorney Phillip Mixon brings a powerful combination of credentials to audit representation, holding both a Certified Public Accountant and a Juris Doctor, enabling thorough analysis of tax disputes. This dual expertise allows Mixon Tax Law to examine the financial details that triggered audit scrutiny while simultaneously building legal arguments to protect client interests. Most practitioners specialize in either accounting or legal advocacy, but not both. The firm maintains a boutique practice model focused exclusively on IRS and state tax controversy matters, ensuring clients have direct access to Attorney Mixon rather than being delegated to junior associates or staff.
Complex audit situations require both technical accounting knowledge and legal strategy. Attorney Mixon's background includes experience at a Big Four accounting firm handling corporate transactions, expertise he now applies to individual and business clients facing audit notices. The firm's concentrated practice area allows it to stay current on evolving IRS procedures and provide attorney-client privilege protections that other tax professionals cannot offer.
The newly released guide connects taxpayers to protections established under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, enacted in 2015 to provide fundamental safeguards during IRS examinations. These protections include the right to be informed about audit procedures, the right to receive quality service from IRS personnel, and the right to retain professional representation throughout the process. Mixon Tax Law's guide serves as a roadmap for exercising these rights effectively during the 30-day response period when strategic decisions have the greatest impact on final outcomes.
Approximately 80 percent of IRS audits are conducted by mail as correspondence audits according to agency statistics, yet most taxpayers lack the specialized knowledge to respond effectively without professional guidance. Tax professionals and the IRS itself recommend hiring a representative such as an enrolled agent or tax attorney when complex issues arise, large amounts are at stake, or when taxpayers are uncertain about documentation or disagree with IRS findings. The prevalence of correspondence audits makes the new guide particularly relevant, as it addresses the specific challenges of mail-based examinations that differ substantially from office or field audits.
Mixon Tax Law designed the guide to empower informed decision-making before taxpayers engage legal counsel. Understanding available options reduces stress and improves outcomes. Audit situations create significant anxiety, particularly when financial futures hang in the balance. By providing clear explanations of immediate steps and strategic considerations, the guide helps taxpayers navigate the critical early phase of the audit response, when mistakes are most costly.
Taxpayers who have received audit notices can access the complete guide and schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Mixon by calling (713) 814-4737. Response deadlines begin the moment audit correspondence arrives, and delays narrow available options for favorable resolution.
Visit Mixon Tax Law IRS Audit Attorney services for more information.