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Returning Member
posted May 31, 2019 11:43:55 PM

If audited by state will it affect your federal also.

0 20 9215
2 Best answers
Level 15
May 31, 2019 11:43:58 PM

Yes. most of the time a State Audit will also impact the Federal return. 

IRS and the States share audit reports.

The only times it will not impact the Federal is if it is a State only issue, like for example contributions to a 529 savings plan only go on a State return (not Federal). 

Expert Alumni
Feb 17, 2020 1:12:16 PM

Yes.  An audit at the state level does not necessarily trigger an audit at the federal level, but the information is shared by the taxing agencies.  If the IRS sees a potential change in federal tax liability due to the state findings, they may ask for information/clarification via a letter.  

20 Replies
Level 15
May 31, 2019 11:43:58 PM

Yes. most of the time a State Audit will also impact the Federal return. 

IRS and the States share audit reports.

The only times it will not impact the Federal is if it is a State only issue, like for example contributions to a 529 savings plan only go on a State return (not Federal). 

Level 1
Feb 17, 2020 11:51:56 AM

False my state was audited but my Federal was not.

Expert Alumni
Feb 17, 2020 1:12:16 PM

Yes.  An audit at the state level does not necessarily trigger an audit at the federal level, but the information is shared by the taxing agencies.  If the IRS sees a potential change in federal tax liability due to the state findings, they may ask for information/clarification via a letter.  

Level 15
Feb 17, 2020 7:29:35 PM

I do not want to enter into a debate about this, as I said, "most" of the time when you are audited by the State Taxing Agency or by the IRS, the other agency will look at the audit report and if there if there additional tax (that exceeds their tolerances) you will get a audit report from the other taxing agency.  

 

In your case, if you were audited by the State for income tax (and if there was a substantial tax change that also impacts the Federal return), you should at some point in the future get a letter with a IRS audit report.  It can take many months from the State audit for the IRS to send out the Federal audit report. 

 

I worked for IRS for 34 1/2 years, and part of that time I was a Fed/State coordinator that made sure these reports were shared.  I also was in charge of correspondence audit at another point in my career.  

Returning Member
Feb 18, 2020 8:33:43 AM

  • So it would probably put a hold on federal before the realese it 

Level 1
Feb 19, 2020 6:54:50 AM

No one is debating ,just stating my opinion of what happened .Take  deep breath and calm down.By the way my audit was in 2014 was just to verify information.Random audit.Also you don't have to put your whole life story out there to try and make a point."I worked for IRS for 34 1/2 years, and part of that time I was a Fed/State coordinator that made sure these reports were shared.  I also was in charge of correspondence audit at another point in my career. " You sound like you where a little upset about my remark.Maybe try to be less obtuse next time.Have a great day Michael.

Returning Member
Feb 21, 2020 7:09:39 AM

So if my state is good my fed is good too

Level 1
Feb 21, 2020 8:33:22 AM

I just received a letter from the state (Not federal) saying I’m audited. When you received this ,obviously you didn’t receive anything from your federal right? Thing is when I check online ,it says “we have recieved your refund and it is being processed “ still when today is the 21st day since it was received. Did you experience this? Really worried about my fed now so any insight on what all u went through would be appreciated.

Level 15
Feb 21, 2020 8:57:58 AM

Many States have put additional checks in place to ensure the refunds are going to actual taxpayer (and not filed by someone else).  This might be the case in your situaton.

 

You can always call the State that issued you the letter and ask them what is going on with the processing of your return.

 

If it was me, I would call the State.

 

Level 1
Feb 22, 2020 4:48:00 PM

yes im going through the same thing my state was audit and my federal says  still  being processed im so worried I don't know if im getting my federal refund now because of the hold up with the state and everyone elses the federal is giving them there date NOT MINES 

Level 1
Feb 22, 2020 4:57:03 PM

the state audit my refund taxes for additional information do you think in will get my fed and its been 21 days and its saying on the IRS website still being processed im so worried @michalle

Expert Alumni
Feb 22, 2020 5:30:03 PM

The state audit should not affect the processing of your federal return.

 

If the state audit results in a change to your tax, the state will share that information with the IRS.

 

If the state adjustment affects your federal return, you will receive correspondence from the IRS.

Level 1
Feb 23, 2020 5:40:44 AM

How long does it take for the fed IRS to send you something in mail I did not get anything from the fed stating I owe them anything ever but I’m still worried because it’s saying still being processed date will available when approved topic 152 I’m so worried it’s the 23rd I sent off my ww2 info to the state already I have to wait 15 days for them to respond back should I worry about my fed 

Intuit Alumni
Feb 23, 2020 8:09:18 AM

No, you shouldn't worry. Your return is being processed. For more information concerning tax topic 152 please click the link below.

 

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc152?vm

 

New Member
Aug 22, 2022 11:44:34 AM

Is there a legal source you can point me to verifying that the taxpayer is not required to notify the IRS about a state audit which resulted in a tax increase?
Thanks

Level 15
Aug 22, 2022 12:41:28 PM

I can point you to a source that states it is your responsibility to inform the IRS, assuming that whatever the state finds also increases your federal tax obligation.

 

When you sign (and this would include e-sign) your tax return, you sign a statement that says: 

 

"Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. " 

 

Look on Form 1040 where it says, "Sign here":

 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

 

If it turns out that the State identified income that you did not report, it is likely it wasn't reported to the IRS either, so the statement signed that the return is 'true, correct and complete' is no longer accurate or truthful.  Best to contact the IRS and says 'Oops, I need to correct my tax return." Better you tell the IRS before the IRS finds it themselves. 

 

You have an obligation to correct your federal tax return if you later find something that would change what you fair tax obligation is, whether that is identified by a State audit or a mistake you caught yourself.

 

 

New Member
Aug 22, 2022 4:26:58 PM

Thanks for the reply. I understand the declaration, but I don't think it's legally dispositive, and is effective only as of the date it was signed. If so, perhaps there is no statutory requirement since most states share their audit information with the IRS, anyway. Therefore, why is it the taxpayer's obligation to do the IRS' work for it by reporting it?
Thanks again

Level 15
Aug 22, 2022 4:46:39 PM

@Jhford  I can not prove what doesn't exist; I can only prove what does exist.

<<why is it the taxpayer's obligation to do the IRS' work for it by reporting it>>

 

then by that logic, why file the original return either? 

 

the obligation is because failing to do so under a voluntary compliance system would be tax evasion. 

 

From the IRS website:

 

The U.S. income tax system is based on the idea of voluntary compliance; it is the taxpayer's responsibility to report

all

income. Tax evasion is illegal. Some people try to evade paying taxes by failing to report all or some of their income.

 

https://apps.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/student/whys_thm01_les03.jsp

Level 15
Aug 22, 2022 5:13:01 PM

"Why is it the taxpayer's obligation to do the IRS' work for it by reporting it?"

When the IRS does do its 'work' a looong time will have passed and the interest will have grown. Tell the IRS and save money.

New Member
Aug 28, 2022 11:24:59 AM

does the state also receive a report when you make a voluntary amendment to federal tax return or when the federal AGi on federal return does not match the federal AGI on state tax return somehow (because of an error for instance)? If they do. automatically know when the federal AGI is different from the states than why would an exchange of audit reports even be necessary as the state could you adjust the state to the AGI of the federal. at any time if that info is exchanged? id be honored to get an answer from someone with your experience thank you