You won't get audited because you file Married Filing Separately. There has to be other items in your tax return that causes the IRS to review/audit you. See below for the different types of audits the IRS does.
- However, spouses who file separate tax returns should carefully determine who is claiming which deductions. Make sure you’re splitting the deductions that are paid jointly and not each claiming the same amount, which would result in double-counting. But it’s perfectly fine for one spouse to claim 100 percent of a deduction if the other spouse doesn’t also claim the same deduction.
The IRS has several different methods for a review (audit):
- Random selection and computer screening - sometimes returns are selected based solely on a statistical formula. We compare your tax return against “norms” for similar returns. We develop these “norms” from audits of a statistically valid random sample of returns, as part of the National Research Program the IRS conducts. The IRS uses this program to update return selection information.
- Related examinations – we may select your returns when they involve issues or transactions with other taxpayers, such as business partners or investors, whose returns were selected for audit.
- To read the entire IRS article, click here.
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