Do I Need a CPA for an IRS Audit? (Oklahoma Taxpayer Guide)

If you’ve been selected for an IRS audit, you may be wondering:

Do I really need a CPA to help with this?

Can’t I just send the IRS what they asked for? Or handle it myself?

Here’s the truth:

You can respond to an audit on your own — but it’s risky. One wrong answer, incomplete record, or missed deadline can turn a small audit into a big problem.



At Boulanger CPA, we represent Oklahoma clients through IRS audits every month. Here’s what we’ve learned — and why having a CPA on your side can make all the difference.

What Happens During an IRS Audit?

When the IRS audits you, they’re looking to confirm that the numbers on your return are accurate — and supported by records.

They may examine:



• Your income (via W-2s, 1099s, bank deposits)
  
  
• Business deductions (receipts, logs, contracts)
  
  
• Charitable contributions
  
  
• Rental or investment property income and expenses
  
  

You’ll be expected to submit documentation and possibly explain how you arrived at your numbers.

Can I Handle an Audit Myself?



Technically, yes. But should you?

Most taxpayers don’t know what the IRS is really asking. They send too much information, or the wrong kind. Or worse — they admit something that wasn’t necessary to disclose.

We’ve seen audits spiral because the taxpayer tried to be helpful.

A CPA knows how to:

• Interpret IRS letters and notices
  
  
• Organize and limit what’s provided
  
  
• Push back if the audit expands too far
  
  
• Negotiate penalty abatement or tax adjustments
  

Who Can Represent Me in an Audit?

The IRS allows only three types of professionals to represent you:



• Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
  
  
• Enrolled Agents (EAs)
  
  
• Attorneys
  
  

If someone other than those three offers to “help with your audit,” they cannot speak to the IRS on your behalf.

Why Hire a CPA for Your IRS Audit in Oklahoma?

Here’s why a CPA can be your best choice:



• Licensed and regulated: CPAs are held to strict professional standards
  
  
• Financial expertise: We understand how numbers flow through your return
  
  
• Strategic thinking: We don't just react to audits — we defend them
  
  
• Local presence: We work with Oklahoma taxpayers and understand regional IRS trends
  
  

We’re not a national call center. We know how Oklahoma business owners, contractors, and retirees get flagged — and how to protect them.

Real Client Example: Avoided Penalty with CPA Defense

Client: Self-employed nurse practitioner in Norman, OK



• Audited for home office and vehicle deductions
  
  
• IRS proposed $12,000 adjustment and 20% penalty
  
  
• We rebuilt documentation, clarified use, and negotiated final adjustment of just $2,100 — no penalty
  

When You Really Need a CPA for an Audit

• Your audit involves multiple years
  
  
• There’s a potential for penalties
  
  
• You have self-employment or rental income
  
  
• You received a CP525 or Letter 525 adjustment
  
  
• You feel overwhelmed or unclear about what to provide
  

Don’t Go It Alone

Audit defense isn’t about who’s right — it’s about who’s prepared.

At Boulanger CPA, we help Oklahoma taxpayers:

• Respond to IRS notices
  
  
• Submit smart documentation
  
  
• Limit exposure and defend deductions
  
  

📞 Call (405) 384-4900
📅 Schedule your confidential audit strategy call

✍️ About the Author

Marc Boulanger, CPA, is the founder of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, a CPA firm based in Oklahoma City, OK.

Marc is the author of Oklahoma Taxpayers' Guide: Taking a Stand Against the IRS and has resolved hundreds of complex federal and state tax cases.

With over a decade of experience in IRS and OTC representation, Marc helps Oklahomans navigate high-stakes tax problems with clear strategy and calm expertise.

He is a Certified Tax Representation Consultant and a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS).

📍 Office: Oklahoma City, OK | 📞 (405) 384-4900 | 🌐 www.oklahomacity.cpa