IRS Releases Updated Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide

On 6/1/22, the IRS made available an update to the "Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide" (Publication 5653).  Originally issued in 2004, the purpose of the Audit Techniques Guide (ATG) was to offer guidance to IRS auditors auditing cost segregation studies.  Because the ATG is an interpretation of the law, as opposed to the law itself, it cannot be cited as precedent.  It does however provide an inside look at how the IRS views this subject. The IRS maintains a library of Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs) intended to help IRS examiners during audits by providing insight into issues and accounting methods unique to specific industries. While ATGs are designed to provide guidance for IRS employees, they’re also useful to small business owners and tax professionals who prepare...

IRS Audit Techniques Guides Available to Taxpayers

The IRS uses Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs) to help IRS examiners get ready for audits. Your business can use the same guides to gain insight into what the IRS is looking for. Many ATGs target specific industries or businesses, such as construction, aerospace, art galleries, child care providers and veterinary medicine. Others address issues that frequently arise in audits, such as executive compensation, passive activity losses and capitalization of tangible property. How IRS "Audit Techniques Guides" are used IRS auditors need to examine all types of businesses, as well as individual taxpayers and tax-exempt organizations. Each type of return might have unique industry issues, business practices and terminology. Before meeting with taxpayers and their advisors, auditors do their homework to understand various industries or issues.  Areas such as the...