It’s that time of year again: tax season! For many tax preparers, that means dealing with the IRS CI Interview. If you’re selected for an interview with CI, it can be a daunting experience. But don’t worry! We’re here to help.
To help you successfully go through an interview with CI, here are six things you can do to help prepare for your CI interview:
1. Know Why the Interview Is Happening
Understand the purpose of the interview. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division conducts interviews to gather information and evidence. The information gathered during an interview can be used to determine if a taxpayer has committed a crime. So, with that knowledge, enter the interview prepared!
2. Get Ready To Answer Questions
Be prepared to answer questions about your tax preparation business. The IRS will want to know how your business operates, who your clients are, and what type of tax return preparation services you provide. So, be ready for those types of questions because if you can’t, you might find yourself in a pickle.
3. Always Speak the Truth
Be honest and truthful when answering questions. It is important to be honest and truthful when answering questions during an IRS CI interview. Remember, lying to the IRS is a crime, and if you are caught purposefully lying, whether it be tweaking or leaving out the requested information, you will get into deep trouble.
4. Only Share Requested Information
Do not offer any information that is not requested. You are not required to provide information that is not requested during an interview. If you do provide information that is not requested, it may be used against you. This also applies to relevant documents, where you should only collect documents that are relevant to the IRS CI’s investigation. Any unnecessary document may be taken and used against you.
5. Stay On Point
Keep your answers brief and to the point. The IRS interviewer will ask you questions in order to gather information. It is important to answer the questions directly and to the point. Not only does this save time, but it also helps you avoid sharing too much information that, once again, may be used against you.
6. Don’t Share Cases
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney. It is important to keep the information you provide during an IRS CI interview confidential. Discussing the case with anyone other than your attorney could jeopardize the investigation and may lead to more trouble for your business.
Conclusion
From all of that, you might be incredibly worried about the upcoming CI interview. Fortunately, if you know you’ve done nothing wrong, there’s nothing to worry about. Just be prepared for the investigation by collecting all relevant documentation and thoroughly understanding how your business works. With that out of the way, you can show up to the interview and appropriately answer any questions the IRS CI may ask of you.
Also, be prepared for the aftermath, especially if there is a risk of facing the consequences of tax crimes or related offenses. Overall, minimizing uncertainty sets you up for a smooth and trouble-free interview, and if an issue does pop up, it allows you to get it tackled quickly.
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