My article for H&R Block that provides the “real” IRS audit rate. The media states the chance of an IRS audit is 1 in 143 – it is actually much higher because the IRS uses automated “audit” methods, like matching notices and return rejects. The real “audit” rate is actually much higher – and because much of the process is automated, the IRS can maintain high rates of coverage – unlike the published “audit rate” indicates.
