Milwaukee Tax Audit Representation Attorneys

Receiving an audit notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Wisconsin Department of Revenue (WDR/DOR) can raise serious concerns about your finances, business operations, and potential tax liabilities. An audit may result in additional assessments, interest, penalties, or, in cases involving suspected intentional wrongdoing, further investigation.

At Moskowitz LLP, our Milwaukee tax attorney, Travis DeLucenay, JD, CPA brings a combined legal and accounting experience that provides valuable insight into tax audits, financial documentation, and disputes with taxing authorities. Whether an audit involves individual income taxes, corporate returns, payroll obligations, sales and use taxes, or complex financial transactions, our team works to protect your rights and ensure the government’s findings are supported by applicable tax law.

Moskowitz LLP’s Milwaukee office is located at 1433 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, near the Milwaukee River and the city’s Lower East Side. We serve individuals and businesses throughout Milwaukee County and the greater southeastern Wisconsin region. We also represent individuals and businesses throughout the state to include Dane county and all counties up north.

If you have received an IRS or Wisconsin Department of Revenue audit notice, call 414-200-0030 or schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation.

Recent Client Review: Substantial Reduction in Disputed Tax Assessments

"I have been with Steve’s firm over the last 3 years. It was all new to me being audited and threatened with letters by the IRS of audit. Then recalculating previous tax years and deciding I owe more with penalties and interest. And even having to prepare for tax court. The whole time I felt I was in good hands with this law firm. Each lawyer and their legal assistants that were handling my cases, treated me professionally, supportive and were always updating me with how it was progressing and if I had questions for them. One tax year, they even managed to get an IRS demand and threat of tax court thrown out for legal reasons the IRS would have never told me if I was on my own! I was looking at revised audits for 4 years and demand estimated back payments and penalties well over $150,000! It’s been reduced to under $14,000 settled on… It was tough to have to still pay back taxes with business writeoffs not allowed after the fact but there was a lot they fought the IRS over and had them back off and relent… I have had a most positive experience dealing with Steve and his staff. I trust them."

— Verified Google Review from Mel C.

Choose Moskowitz LLP for IRS and Wisconsin Tax Audit Representation

Tax audits require careful attention to documentation, legal requirements, and communication with taxing authorities. Incomplete records, inconsistent reporting, or misunderstandings about applicable tax rules can complicate an examination and lead to additional assessments. At Moskowitz LLP, our team of experienced tax attorneys, CPAs, and financial professionals evaluates audit notices, reviews supporting records, and develops strategies tailored to the issues under examination. We work to resolve audit issues efficiently when possible while preparing clients for administrative appeals or litigation if disputed findings cannot be resolved during the examination.

Why Experienced Tax Audit Representation Matters

Wisconsin businesses may face additional audit considerations involving state sales and use tax exemptions, employer withholding, corporate franchise taxes, and differences between federal and Wisconsin income tax calculations. For companies operating across state lines, questions involving nexus, income allocation, and multistate reporting can further complicate an examination.

Tax audits often involve sensitive financial information, business records, and communications about past tax filings. Working with a tax attorney can provide important legal protections for confidential communications made to obtain legal advice. However, attorney-client privilege is not absolute and generally does not protect underlying financial records or facts simply because they are shared with an attorney. Certain communications involving federally authorized tax practitioners may also receive limited protection under federal law, but those protections differ from traditional attorney-client privilege and do not extend to criminal tax proceedings.

Why Tax Returns Are Selected for Audit

Not every tax audit indicates suspected wrongdoing. The IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue may select returns for examination based on information matching, reporting discrepancies, industry-specific compliance initiatives, or other examination criteria. For Wisconsin businesses, audit issues may arise from sales tax exemption documentation, discrepancies in employer withholding, or differences between reported federal and state income.

Navigating Government Audit Resources

Federal and Wisconsin tax agencies employ auditors, examiners, attorneys, and other professionals who review tax compliance. Taxpayers may be asked to provide extensive documentation, explain financial transactions, or substantiate deductions and credits.

When Civil Audits Raise Criminal Tax Concerns

Most tax audits are civil examinations focused on determining whether the correct amount of tax was reported and paid. However, when examiners identify indicators of intentional fraud or other potential criminal violations, a matter may be referred for further investigation. In these circumstances, legal guidance is especially important. Our tax attorneys evaluate potential exposure, advise clients regarding their rights and obligations, and develop an appropriate response strategy.

Managing a Complex Audit Process

Tax audits can involve multiple years of financial records, complicated business transactions, and technical questions about federal or Wisconsin tax law. For example, a Milwaukee business operating in both Wisconsin and Illinois may face questions about income allocation, sales tax collection responsibilities, and state-specific filing requirements.

Our Wisconsin Tax Audit Representation Services Include

• Pre-Audit Preparation and Risk Assessment: We review audit notices, prior tax returns, financial records, and relevant correspondence to identify the issues under examination and determine what documentation may be necessary.
• Communication With IRS and Wisconsin Auditors: When authorized, we communicate directly with examining agents, coordinate document requests, and help clients understand their responsibilities throughout the process.
• Audit Defense and Legal Advocacy: We analyze proposed adjustments, evaluate applicable tax law, and challenge findings that are unsupported by the facts or governing legal requirements.
• IRS and Wisconsin Administrative Appeals: When an IRS or Wisconsin DOR audit results in a disputed tax assessment, we evaluate available remedies, including the IRS Administrative Appeals process and the Wisconsin State Appeals process, which involves a Petition for Redetermination to the Resolution Unit.
• Post-Audit Resolution and Litigation: If disputed issues remain unresolved, we assess available settlement and judicial remedies, including U.S. Tax Court proceedings and petitions before the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission.

Contact Our Tax Audit Representation Lawyers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

An audit notice deserves prompt attention. Missing a response deadline, failing to substantiate a deduction, or misunderstanding the scope of an examination can create additional financial and legal complications. At Moskowitz LLP, our tax attorneys, CPAs, and financial professionals represent individuals and businesses facing IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue audits. Whether you’re facing an individual income tax audit, a Wisconsin sales tax examination, or a complex business tax controversy, our team can help you understand your options and develop a strategy appropriate to your circumstances.

Call our Milwaukee office at 414-200-0030 or schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your federal or Wisconsin tax audit.