Got an IRS Letter? What Your Bookkeeper Can (and Cannot) Do
An IRS envelope is stressful. Before you call anyone, it helps to know who does what. Your bookkeeper keeps your records organized. A licensed tax professional is the person who can talk to the IRS for you.
Important: This page is general information only. Linked-do-Books is a bookkeeping practice. We are not a CPA firm, Enrolled Agent or law firm. We don't provide tax advice, prepare or sign tax returns, or represent anyone before the IRS.
Who can represent you before the IRS?
Representing a taxpayer before the IRS requires a license as an Enrolled Agent (EA), CPA or attorney. You have the right to have one of them communicate with the IRS on your behalf.
What kind of letter is it?
The Linked-do-Books audit page describes three audit types:
| Audit type | What happens |
|---|---|
| Correspondence audit | The most common type. The IRS mails a letter asking for documents on one or two items, like a deduction or credit. Most are resolved by mail. |
| Office audit | You meet an IRS agent at a local office to go over specific parts of your return. |
| Field audit | The most involved type. An agent visits your home or business to review records in depth. |
Other notices are about money owed: tax liens, levies, wage garnishment, back taxes and penalties. How any of these applies to you depends on your situation, which is why a licensed specialist should explain it.
What to do first
- Don't ignore it, and don't panic.
- Write down the response deadline on the letter. IRS correspondence typically has 30–90 day response windows.
- Ask for a referral if you want help finding a licensed professional (see below). A referral doesn't pause your IRS deadline, so keep track of it yourself.
- Share only the minimum. Don't send passwords, Social Security numbers or attachments through a public form.
What a bookkeeper can do
A bookkeeper can't answer the IRS for you, but clean books make the licensed professional's job easier.
- Books Clean-Up organizes a backlog through categorization, reconciliation and discrepancy resolution, then delivers clean reporting. It's $150 per month behind, with a $600 minimum and $1,800 cap.
- Monthly bookkeeping keeps records current from $199/month (Lite) to $649/month (Full-Service).
How the Linked-do-Books referral works
- It's free and there's no obligation. You don't need to be a bookkeeping client.
- You describe your situation using the form on the IRS audit referral or tax debt help page.
- We generally review new inquiries within one business day. If your deadline is short, say so in your message.
- Where appropriate, we refer you to an independent licensed EA, CPA or tax attorney who can represent you directly if you engage them.
- Linked-do-Books does not receive referral fees today. If that changes, we'll disclose it before making a referral.
An independent specialist may assess options such as an Offer in Compromise, an installment agreement, penalty abatement or Currently Not Collectible status. The IRS sets the rules and makes the decisions, and outcomes aren't guaranteed.
Prefer to talk? Call (406) 500-5242.
Frequently asked questions
Can my bookkeeper talk to the IRS for me?
No. Representing you before the IRS requires a license as an Enrolled Agent, CPA or attorney. Linked-do-Books is a bookkeeping practice, so we refer you to an independent licensed professional instead.
What should I do when I get an IRS audit letter?
Don't ignore it. Note the response deadline, then ask a licensed tax professional to review it. Linked-do-Books can refer you for free, but a referral doesn't pause your IRS deadline.
What is the most common type of IRS audit?
A correspondence audit. The IRS mails a letter asking for documents on one or two items, such as a deduction or credit, and most are resolved entirely by mail.
Is the Linked-do-Books tax referral free?
Yes. It's free with no obligation, and you don't need to be a bookkeeping client. Linked-do-Books doesn't receive referral fees today and will disclose it if that changes.
How fast will Linked-do-Books respond to a referral request?
New inquiries are generally reviewed within one business day. If your IRS notice has a short deadline, mention it in your message so the introduction can be prioritized.
Can Linked-do-Books clean up my books before an audit?
Yes. Books Clean-Up is $150 per month behind, with a $600 minimum and $1,800 cap. It covers categorization, reconciliation, discrepancies and clean reporting, not tax representation.