JAG wrote:

- quote -

I use e-mails send to a separeate e-mail ID as the log. If i
have e-mail for appointment,etc i forward it. otherwise i
create a new email and send to that account.. By year end i
archive this emails and that is the log and written proof..

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Harlan Lunsford wrote:
- quote -

An agent driving a route to verify a mileage claim was never
justified (measure off a paper map!). That's incompetence.

As to depth of audit recently vs. "old days," IRS itself
would have little clue. Too many variables in historical
statistics, but I would doubt time/return has gone down
since say 25-30 yrs ago. Law complexity is one factor, but
offset by specialized computer programs in the examiner's
computer. More recently, they have quality audit standards,
which add time to cases. Offsetting that is availability of
mucho public-record online info on any topic affecting an
exam, plus audit technique guides by industry and IRS
organizational restructure by broad complexity of returns.
Today, there's potential at least for much higher audit
quality of examinations in the same amount of time.
Potential to reduce time span too, affecting in-process
inventory.

Fred F.

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Missy wrote:
- quote -

Years ago, as you say, they did much more to verify client
records, but no longer. It's a leaner (and not always a
meaner) IRS force. Don't get me wrong, they still have
all the aces at this card game, but all in all it seems
field examiners just want to get this one case out of their
inventory and faster.

Right, Fred?

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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"Missy" <mytax[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

Now they could just use mapquest.

Stu

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I use my appointment book for mileage as it has enough room
for almost anything. But some mileages are summerized
elsewhere and can be simple "Dr N" as the mileage to Dr N's
office is listed under Dr N's name and telephone in the back
of the book. Clients can be listed as "J Smith" and the
mileage circled in the book. Easy enough to point out that
J Smith has 10 years of files in the office.

Like entertainment - full data on the restaurant receipt and
just "J (and M, took the spouse, too) Smith,dinner" in the
appointment book plus information easily available in the
office showing the Smiths come 50 miles for their
appointment and I often take them to dinner if the time
works out.

Mileage log book can have really limited information when
there is back up elsewhere.

Nan, EA in LA

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Harlan Lunsford wrote:
- quote -

I have seen two IRS agents get in a car and travel over the
routes to check a friend's client's milage log... Suprised
me. This was many years ago...

Missy Doyle

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JAG wrote:

- quote -

never in all my years has IRS scrutinized any mileage log,
much less my own.

But the business purpose must be noted, yes. I keep my log
on my computer desktop in the form of a Notepad file
properly iconized with a little car. When I add an entry,
it's date, mileage, and purpose. the latter is usually
generic, e.g. bank ( my favorite!), clients, Birmingham,
Atlanta, Auburn, etc.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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I've been using those little 'auto mileage' booklets
available in most office supply stores to keep a record for
my standard auto deductions. I noticed some examples in the
IRS publication 509, that they would like me to keep the
'business purpose' of the trip and who I was engaging for
the meeting. The problem I have is that this to alot of
info to try to squeeze in to these tiny pages. Has anyone
ever heard of a case where the 'little book' was disputed
due to lack of information/evidence?

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