Audit Defense Near Me: How to Protect Yourself During an IRS or CDTFA Audit

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If you’re searching for audit defense near me, chances are you’ve received a notice from the IRS, California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB), or the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). And now you’re worried — rightfully so.

An audit can flip your life or business upside down.

But the key to surviving — and coming out ahead — is having a local expert who knows how to handle the agency, the paperwork, and the pressure.

In this blog, we’ll explain:

• What IRS, FTB, and CDTFA audits really look like
• California FTB audit triggers and how to avoid them
• What a local audit defense specialist can do for you
• IRS audit assessment process explained step by step
• how to survive an EDD audit if you employ workers
• Strategies for challenging IRS penalties
• What to do right now to protect yourself

WHAT TRIGGERS AN IRS OR CDTFA AUDIT?

IRS AUDITS:

• Income mismatch (e.g., 1099 not reported)
• High deductions or credits vs. income
• Unfiled returns
• Claims that don’t match national averages (red flags)
• Small business losses (Schedule C)

These cases often lead to an IRS audit assessment process where the agency recalculates your liability, adds penalties, and may enforce collection actions.

CDTFA AUDITS:

• Underreported sales tax
• Z-tape mismatches
• POS system irregularities
• Cash-heavy industries (restaurants, auto shops, nail salons)
• 1099-K / credit card data mismatch

If you run a business, defending against CDTFA sales tax audits can mean the difference between a manageable adjustment and a crushing tax bill.

IRS VS. CDTFA AUDITS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

WHY "AUDIT DEFENSE NEAR ME" ACTUALLY MATTERS

You could hire a national tax firm — but they’ll assign your case to someone who’s never seen a CDTFA audit in their life.

LOCAL EXPERTISE MEANS:

Understanding state-specific rules

Knowing which local CDTFA district office is handling your audit

Preparing documentation that matches what these agents actually ask for

Being able to show up (or Zoom in) with confidence and strategy

At Boulanger CPA, we represent clients in:

• Anaheim
• Irvine
• Santa Ana
• Garden Grove
• Tustin
• And across Orange County via Zoom

WHAT A REAL AUDIT DEFENSE CPA DOES

We don’t just “answer questions” for the IRS or CDTFA. We take control of the process.

Here’s what we do for our clients:

• Step in under Power of Attorney (Form 2848)
• Review all prior returns and filings
• Assemble and organize audit documentation
• Manage all correspondence with the auditor
• Attend all meetings or respond to all calls on your behalf
• Negotiate adjustments, penalties, and settlements

WORRIED YOUR RECORDS ARE A MESS?

You’re not alone.

Most people under audit feel unprepared. That’s okay — we help clients every day who:

• Never kept receipts
• Lost digital access to POS systems
• Used outdated software or bookkeeping apps
• Have only personal bank records (not business ones)

We know how to reconstruct and present your data in a way the IRS or CDTFA will accept — or at least respect.

LOOKING FOR AUDIT HELP NEAR YOU?

You don’t need someone 1,000 miles away who doesn’t know the CDTFA or IRS protocols.

You need a local, licensed CPA who:

• Understands the real audit risks in Orange County
• Knows what to show, what to say, and what not to say
• Can stop the panic and give you a clear defense plan