Dealing with the IRS without a tax lawyer is like riding buck naked in a motocross race. There’s small chance of winning, and in case of crash, the results could be deadly.

Those who decide to go against the IRS alone may be motivated by wrong information. Tax resolution complaints are rising, as well as outright tax resolution scams ( IRS snail mail or email that might resemble an official one can not only steal your identity but also cheat some victims into writing big checks to the "tax resolution firm"). Tin foil hat conspiracy theorists state that the entire tax resolution business is nothing but a giant tax relief scam. They declare the IRS works for you, the citizens, and the IRS cares about your best interests. They claim, you can beat an IRS audit with the free tax help the IRS provides. If you believe that, you could as well buy a bridge in Brooklyn from me.

Putting aside those caveats, if you are bound and resolute to fight the law without a safety net, we offer you a few tips.

Do you keep in mind that free tax help that the IRS provides? You will for here get what you. The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service won't help you in an audit except to inform you who your auditor is and how it is moving ahead. If you think the IRS treated you unfairly, you send your complaint to those people. Be aware that these bureaucrats claim they want to help you, but eventually the government pays you money. They have no real economic motivation to make certain you win. A tax lawyer does have the motivation.