Check out the other audit risks
Income Risk Large Itemized Deductions Unreported Income
Rental Income Self-Employment Home Office
Unreported Alimony Automobile Expenses
High-Risk Tax Audit Areas Related to Unreported Alimony
High DIF
IRS computers compare all tax returns to the national Discriminate Information Function (DIF) system average. The IRS calculates the DIF score by using a closely-guarded formula. Tax returns with the highest DIF scores are scrutinized by experienced IRS examining officers who determine which tax returns provide the best chance for collecting additional taxes, interest, and tax penalties.
Not all taxpayers report alimony receipts as taxable income. Therefore, the IRS now matches tax deductions for alimony payments by one former spouse with the taxable alimony income reported by the other.
Defend Yourself!
You are entitled to take every tax deduction that you qualify for and you should never be scared by the potential of an IRS tax audit. You must use common sense when making decisions about deductions and hire a qualified CPA to help you through the minefield of taxes