Jane <feebqo$mgo$1[at]panix1.panix.com> wrote:

- quote -

They'll come to you if they need to. That's usually a bad
idea, because the IRS agents are good at observing your
lifestyle, and will see if you seem to be spending more
money than you're paying taxes on. If you aren't, there's
no problem.

And more likely, long before an actual audit, they'll just
ask for documentation by mail.

Seth

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Jane wrote:
- quote -

Then worry no more. If that medical item is the only thing
they might be concerned with, you will be contacted via good
old snail mail asking to mail in copies for proof. I doubt
you would be asked to physcially bring it in.

Unless... of course.... you are one of the 13,000 or so IRS
will be auditing shortly.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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Jane <googlemail2...[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

Thanks everyone. Actually I spoke to a friend who works for
the IRS and she said I should attach the papers - copies
only, of course. Doesn't mean I'll avoid an audit, but it
won't hurt.

I'm not concerned about an audit denying any costs. They
are all absolutely valid. My concern is that I am physical
unable to go to an IRS audit.

Anyway - guess I'll worry about that if/when it happens.

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Bill wrote:
- quote -

Don't scare him, Bill. There's certainly no certainty that
such a mail audit will happen.

ChEAr$,
Harlan

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ane <googlemail2003[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

Attaching documents to a tax return is a waste. When the
return is received and processed, any attachments are simply
filed away with the original return. No one involved in
selecting returns for audit has pjysical access to these
documents so they do not influence the classifier. Possibly
some one will look at the file before you are notified of
the audit and survey the return out -- but I wouldn't want
to depend on it.

Lanny K. Williams, CPA
Nawarat, Williams & Co., Ltd.
Income Tax Services for Expatriate Americans

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Jane <googlemail2003[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

You can attach copies of your proof if you wish, but chances
are it will be ignored. Later the IRS might contact you
for proof, and that's when you send it.

--
ArtKamlet at a o l dot c o m Columbus OH K2PZH

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Jane wrote:

- quote -

There are two schools of thought on this one. One says just
do it, meaning deduct it and not draw attention to the
entry. IF they want to audit they will; actually they will
regardless of whether or not you do attach documentation.
The other camp of course says play it safe and send in
documentation.

Actually if IRS gets a paper return with such statements,
nobody takes the time when processing to read them anyway.
They just enter the figures and file away the paperwork.
Which means it gets lost anyway.

So my attitude is forget about trying to prevent an audit.
Just do it.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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googlemail2003[at]yahoo.com (Jane) posted:

- quote -

The description of the huge room, with desks manned by
clerks shuffling papers was chilling. A wonderful argument
for e-filing.

Of course, it doesn't cost a lot to make a few copies ...
but don't have a lot of faith that it will be carefully
preserved and related to your filing. So definitely save all
originals in your tax file ... and be prepared to send
copies when you receive the routine "letter audit" that will
probably be prompted by your exceeding the norms for medical
expense in your income bracket.

That's the point at which your attached copy will be more
likely useful. (Again, always a "copy.")

Good luck.

Bill

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For the first time ever we have enough medical expenses to
be able to deduct some (lucky us).

We purchased a medically necessary stair lift for $17k. I
have the note from my doctor, the receipt and a letter from
a realtor saying it would not increase the value of my home.
Of course there are also LOTS of doctor bills, but it's the
stair lift that puts us into the deductible category.

Is there any point in attaching copies of these papers to my
tax forms? Due to my physical condition I would like to
avoid an audit at all cost.

thanks

<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >