What This Letter Means
Letter 3573 confirms the date, time, and place of your examination appointment. Examination is the IRS word for an audit. This is an office audit: you, or your representative, meet with an IRS examiner in person.
You get this letter after your return was selected for audit. An earlier letter asked you to contact the IRS to set the appointment. Either you called and scheduled it, or the IRS set it for you. The IRS is supposed to send Letter 3573 within one business day after the appointment is confirmed. Corporations and partnerships get a version called Letter 3573-A.
The letter explains the purpose of the appointment, your taxpayer rights, and what to do if you want someone to represent you. It may come with Form 4564, Information Document Request, which lists the records the examiner wants to see.
What to Do
- Check the date and time. If they don't work, contact the examiner listed on the letter before the appointment to reschedule.
- Gather what Form 4564 asks for. Organize it by issue. Organized records speed up the review.
- Decide on representation. If you want an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent to handle the audit, sign Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.
What Happens at the Appointment
The initial interview covers your financial history, your business operations if you have one, and the records you keep. If the examiner needs more, the request comes in writing.
Take the document request seriously. If you don't provide the requested information voluntarily, the IRS can ask third parties such as your bank, employer, or customers, can issue a summons, or can adjust items on your return that you didn't support.
If You Have Questions
Ask the examiner, or ask to speak with the examiner's manager. Keep a copy of the letter and of everything you hand over.
If you received Letter 3573 and want an attorney at your audit, call us at (813) 229-7100.