What should I do if I receive an IRS audit notice?

First, don't panic. Read the notice carefully to determine what type of audit it is. A correspondence audit (the most common) is handled entirely by mail and usually questions specific items. A field audit means an IRS agent will visit your home or business. An office audit requires you to visit an IRS office. Key steps: (1) Note the response deadline (usually 30 days) and don't miss it, (2) Identify exactly what the IRS is questioning, (3) Gather supporting documentation for those items, (4) Consider hiring a tax professional (enrolled agent, CPA, or tax attorney) to represent you, especially for field and office audits, (5) Only provide what's requested, nothing more, (6) Never volunteer information or talk casually with the auditor, (7) Know your rights: you can request postponement, have representation, record the interview, and appeal the results. For correspondence audits, a well-organized response with clear documentation often resolves the issue quickly. For in-person audits, professional representation is strongly recommended. The IRS must complete most audits within 3 years of filing (6 years if income is underreported by 25%+).