Making a difference is not always about solving a problem quickly. Sometimes, it means standing beside someone through every setback, every delay, and every unexpected challenge until the very end.
For Mark, what began as a tax audit of his 2023 tax return evolved into a more than two-year journey filled with documentation requests, IRS correspondence, appeal considerations, and repeated efforts to prove legitimate business expenses. For TaxAudit's tax professional, Marcelina, it became a commitment to ensuring Mark was heard, represented, and given every opportunity to achieve a fair outcome.
The journey officially began in December 2024 when Mark received a letter from the IRS. They were questioning expenses he had claimed on his Schedule C and requesting documentation, such as receipts, logs, invoices, and cancelled checks. Mark was immediately overwhelmed by this request. Fortunately, he remembered he had purchased Audit Defense when filing his 2023 tax return, and he immediately hopped onto our website to start a case. Upon receiving his request, our secure portal sent him an automated message requesting initial documentation, such as a copy of the notice he received as well as the corresponding tax return.
Mark quickly submitted this information and less than 24 hours later, Marcelina, his tax professional, conducted the initial review call. During this call, she explained the Power of Attorney process, outlined the audit procedures, and prepared Mark for what could be a lengthy examination process. At the time, the expectation was that the case could take anywhere from five to seven months to resolve. No one knew it would ultimately take more than two years.
At the center of the audit was Mark's Schedule C. The IRS was questioning whether certain business expenses had been properly reported and substantiated.
During the first stage of the process, Marcelina requested that Mark begin sending all the documentation pertaining to his business. Marcelina gathered and began organizing everything he sent to compare it against the tax return and determine the next steps.
Over the coming days and weeks, the case required piecing together transactions from 2023 using bank statements, credit card statements, software subscription records, and utility documents, totaling over $35,000 in business expenses.
As with many audit cases, gathering records was only part of the challenge, as one of the biggest obstacles came next: a Notice of Deficiency.
Receiving a Notice of Deficiency significantly raises the stakes of an audit because it opens the door to potential Tax Court litigation. The possibility of filing a petition and pursuing an appeal through the court system had to be considered carefully. Marcelina and TaxAudit's tax court team reviewed the options with Mark, discussed the risks and benefits, and helped him determine the best path forward. Ultimately, the decision was made to continue pursuing resolution through the IRS examination process rather than filing with the Tax Court.
Meanwhile, communication challenges with the IRS continued to slow progress. In one instance, Marcelina spent two and a half hours attempting to reach the IRS, only to have the call disconnected after finally connecting with an agent. On another occasion, an IRS representative could not provide any updates regarding the status of the case, stating that the responses Marcelina provided had yet to be reviewed. Despite these frustrations, the follow-up efforts never stopped.
As the months ticked by, Marcelina never stopped advocating for Mark.
Responses were sent, additional documentation was gathered, follow-ups were conducted, and, Audit Reconsideration requests were submitted. Slowly, these efforts began producing results.
The IRS eventually agreed that the vast majority of the expenses were legitimate and allowable. Documentation showed that over $33,000 of the claimed expenses were accepted. The balance due, which had once exceeded $2,000, was reduced to roughly $150 plus interest and penalties. It seemed like the finish line was finally in sight.
But Marcelina still did not believe Mark owed the $150 the IRS were claiming, so she continued to push back with additional responses and documentation.
In July 2026, after more than two years of persistence, repeated IRS follow-ups, document submissions, and tireless advocacy, the final notice arrived.
The IRS removed the remaining balance entirely.
The final notice detailed the positive result: a $0 balance due. What had started as a stressful audit with thousands of dollars in questioned expenses ended with the IRS closing the case and eliminating the assessment altogether.
After the case was closed, Mark had this to say: I had an absolute five star experience... I am truly grateful for Marcelina expertise, she literally fought tooth and nail to make sure that my case was understood by the IRS. It was a slightly stressful moment especially due to the amount of time it took to get this case closed and sorted out (2years). She could have easily given up and been done with the case after multiple attempts to get the IRS to understand the documents that were provided but she did not. I am 100% satisfied with the service that I received. Thank you, Marcelina! Wishing you the best in life!
Cases like Mark’s are a reminder that meaningful resolution often takes patience, persistence, and a tax professional who is willing to keep advocating when the process becomes difficult. For Mark, that commitment made all the difference.
*Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.
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