In most cases, the IRS has three years to audit after you file your tax return. If the IRS shows up after that, they may be too late. There are special rules, however, that can extend your audit purgatory.

The GAO says that since FY 2010, the IRS has lost 10,000 employees and had its budget cut by $900 million. More cuts are proposed for the 2015 IRS budget. Identity theft issues, foreign asset reporting, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) responsibilities will continue to absorb personnel and resources.

The IRS is in the process of auditing 2,000 firms, and will be auditing an additional 6,000 firms in the upcoming years. While similar to traditional audits, these Employment audits will focus more on employment tax and compliance issues. An IRS spokesperson said, “A National Research Project (NRP) is the first the agency has undertaken in 25 years. During that time business practices have changed significantly, prompting the need for this study”.