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Quickbooks or Peachtree could be costing you money in an IRS audit

In a brilliant attempt to “reduce burden” for taxpayers, the IRS now has a new tactic for auditing small businesses. They now have Quickbooks and Peachtree software and are requesting electronic versions of accounting records for their audits. They have released further details to remind that it is mandatory that you provide your accounting records in an electronic format if they are requested. So what does this mean for you if use one of the off the self software packages for your accounting records?

From an IRS audit prospective, this means that the door will be open to analyze data much further to determine where they may be able to effectively find compliance problems (aka get more money from you). If they have the electronic accounting file, they can review the audit trail to see if anything was changed after the transaction was originally entered. They can tell how often you update your records. They can also see all deleted transactions. The problem is that they can start asking a lot of questions that are really out of the scope of what may have originally selected your returns for audit.

Here is the Q&A from the IRS on requests for electronic software records. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=238525,00.html

Check out Question #6 from the IRS:

Q6. How will the electronic data be used?

A: Most accounting software programs can generate a large number of pre-set reports. Each report can be modified to fit the examiner’s needs. When working with these reports, the examiner can “drill down” to the underlying data and documents to further investigate items, as appropriate. The software also allows the examiner to test the integrity and veracity of the accounting records in making a determination as to the reliability of the records for examination purposes. However, the examiner may still need to request other documents when such records are necessary to properly test a return item or issue.

Wow I really think this will help speed the audit along and I especially like the “further investigate items, as appropriate.” That sounds so fun!

How about Question #12 from the IRS:

Q12. The accounting software backup file can contain transactional data for several years that are outside the scope of the audit. What, if anything, will the IRS do with that information?
A: If IRS is given a backup file that includes data for years not under examination, IRS will not utilize that data during the examination of the current year. If based on the results from the current year examination a decision is made to expand the scope of the! examination to prior or subsequent years, the taxpayer will be notified. The records may be utilized after that notification.

So they probably won’t expand the scope of most audits, right (Sarcasm)?

For most clients that we see, their Quickbooks file does not contain all of the transactions necessary to complete their tax return until we clean the file and enter adjusting entries. Many Quickbooks files we see have significant problems like negative accounts receivables, large balances in their undeposited funds account, and negative accounts payable entries. If the IRS gets their claws into these types of files, I foresee that they will be digging much further and causing a lot more time and money to be spent because audits will last longer and require more documentation and research.

So what is a business owner to do to protect from this unnecessary evil? Here are a few items to consider:

1. Business owners should stop and think about their own skills. Are their books and records really something they would want to turn over to the IRS in their current condition?
2. Most business owners are trying to use Quickbooks to manage their check book or maybe their receivables. If so, let’s talk about other solutions that may even be more effective. There are receivables-only solutions that can help more effectively collect money and expedite the collections.
3. Is this really an effective use of the business owner’s time?

Our firm offers solutions to remove the burden of bookkeeping from the owner and allow them to concentrate on making money and growing their business. We use professional accounting software systems that are not compatible with the IRS electronic accounting systems. The records will be accurate from the start and good planning for taxes can occur all throughout the year. We generally can assist owners with this process and show them how they can save more money than it costs to have this service.

Let us show you how it can be a win-win situation for you and if you are the lucky recipient of an IRS audit notice, we can make the process much smoother and less costly than letting the IRS dig aimlessly!

 
Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Calculated Moves

Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together.  Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people.  Well, it’s time to break that stereotype.  Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux.  They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs.  They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams.   They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.