IRS Audit Trends for Individual Taxpayers Vary

From tax years 2010 to 2019, audit rates of individual income tax returns decreased for all income levels.

From tax years 2010 to 2019, audit rates of individual income tax returns decreased for all income levels.

On average, the audit rate for these returns decreased from 0.9 percent to 0.25 percent. 

On average, the audit rate for these returns decreased from 0.9 percent to 0.25 percent. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials attributed this trend primarily to reduced staffing as a result of decreased funding.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials attributed this trend primarily to reduced staffing as a result of decreased funding.

Audit rates decreased the most for taxpayers with incomes of $200,000 and above. 

Audit rates decreased the most for taxpayers with incomes of $200,000 and above. 

According to IRS officials, these audits are generally more complex and require staff's review. 

According to IRS officials, these audits are generally more complex and require staff's review. 

Lower-income audits are generally more automated, allowing IRS to continue these audits even with fewer staff.

Lower-income audits are generally more automated, allowing IRS to continue these audits even with fewer staff.

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