When Your Client Gets Audited, Who Does Your Firm Call?
You prepared the return. You built the relationship. Your client trusts your firm.
But when an IRS audit notice arrives, many tax firms are left deciding whether to hand that client off to the audit-protection service connected to their tax software — or figure out how to handle the examination themselves.
There's another option.
The Audit Ally™ Client Audit Protection Program™ gives tax firms access to professional audit support for their clients before anyone receives an examination notice. Choose the number of covered client audits your firm wants protected, decide whether you want IRS representation included, and know your investment before the pressure begins.
So when your client calls and says: "I got a letter from the IRS. What do I do?"
Your firm already has an answer: "We've got an Audit Ally."
Preparation is always better than panic.™
Your estimate is customized using your firm's annual gross revenue, annual return volume, desired number of covered client audits, and selected level of audit support.
Why Client Audit Protection™?
Your Client's Audit Shouldn't Become Your Firm's Emergency.
When a client receives an IRS audit notice, the phone call usually comes back to the tax professional who prepared the return. Your client wants answers. They want reassurance. They want to know what happens next. Meanwhile, your firm still has returns to prepare, clients to serve, deadlines to meet, and a business to run.
Without a plan, every client audit becomes another unexpected professional expense and another operational problem to solve. Client Audit Protection™ gives your firm a defined strategy before that happens.
Protect Cash Flow
Plan for potential client-audit support before unexpected costs hit your business.
Protect Client Relationships
Give clients a defined path for professional support instead of scrambling to find help after the notice arrives.
Protect Your Time
Avoid having every client examination consume hours your firm needs for tax preparation and operations.
Protect Your Reputation
Show clients that your firm has a professional plan in place when IRS issues arise.
Why This Is Different
Your Tax Software Prepares Returns.
Your Client Audit Protection™ Should Protect the Relationship.
Many tax software providers offer some type of audit-protection program. Those programs may be convenient, but they are typically structured around the provider's own service model and terms. The Audit Ally™ Client Audit Protection Program™ gives your firm another choice — instead of automatically handing your client relationship off when an audit occurs, your firm can have an established audit professional already positioned to step in and support the client within your selected protection.
The difference is simple: your tax software helps you prepare the return. The Audit Ally™ helps your firm handle what happens if that return is audited.
Your Clients Don't Care Who Represents Your Software.
They Care Who Represents Them.
When a client receives an IRS audit notice, they're usually not thinking about the software that prepared their return.
They're thinking about the tax professional they trust.
They're calling your office.
They're looking to your team for answers.
Your response in that moment shapes how they remember your firm.
Client Audit Protection™ helps you respond with confidence — not uncertainty.
How Client Audit Protection™ Works
Your Protection Is Built Around Your Firm.
Your Client Audit Protection™ investment is customized using three primary factors.
Your Firm Size & Client Exposure
We look at your annual gross firm revenue and your approximate annual number of tax returns prepared. Revenue helps establish your firm's base pricing level; return volume helps account for the amount of client-audit exposure your firm carries.
Choose How Many Client Audits You Want Protected
Select annual protection for up to 3, 4, or 5 covered client audits. You decide how much annual client-audit protection makes sense for your practice.
Choose Your Level of Support
Select Client Audit Assistance™ or Client Audit Assistance™ + IRS Representation Upgrade™. Your investment adjusts based on the level of professional responsibility you want The Audit Ally™ to assume.
Now let's build your protection.
Client Audit Protection Assessment™
See What Protection Could Look Like for Your Firm
Your estimate is customized around the size of your firm, the number of returns you prepare, and the amount of client-audit support you want in place.
Step 1 of 3 — Tell Us About Your Firm
Annual Gross Firm Revenue
Enter your firm's approximate annual gross revenue before expenses.
Approximately How Many Tax Returns Does Your Firm Prepare Annually?
Include individual and business returns prepared by your firm during a typical year.
Step 2 of 3 — Choose Your Annual Client Audit Protection
How Many Client Audits Would You Like Covered?
Step 3 of 3 — Choose Your Support Level
Choose Your Level of Support
Instant Estimate • No Obligation
Your calculated investment applies to one designated annual protection period. Prior and future protection periods are not automatically included but may be added for an additional investment, subject to eligibility and program terms.
Your Results
Your Customized Client Audit Protection™ Estimate
Your Firm Qualifies for Enterprise Client Audit Protection™
Your firm's size and client volume require a customized protection assessment. Request your quote and we'll design your protection together.
Request My Enterprise Protection Quote →Client Audit Protection Plus™
Maximum Cost Predictability
$0 annual investment
- Your Calculated Protection Rate –
- Your Annual Protection –
- Qualifying Audit Copay $0*
*Within the defined scope of covered services.
Best for: firms that prefer to make a larger annual investment in exchange for greater predictability when covered client audits occur.
Client Audit Protection Flex™
Lower Upfront Investment
$0 base annual investment
- Your Calculated Protection Rate –
- Your Annual Protection –
- Qualifying Client-Audit Copay $2,000 per covered audit used
Best for: firms that want protection in place with a lower annual base investment and are comfortable sharing a portion of the cost when covered client-audit services are actually used.
Client Audit Assistance™ covers the initial phase of a qualifying client audit, including client consultation, documentation review, audit-response preparation, and the initial IRS response as defined in the Audit Protection Agreement. Continued representation and services beyond the initial covered phase require the optional IRS Representation Upgrade™ or a separate engagement, as applicable.
What If Multiple Clients Get Audited?
See how your selected protection responds as your firm uses its annual client-audit coverage.
Select Number of Covered Client Audits Used
Client Audit Protection Plus™
Annual protection investment
Client Audit Protection Flex™
Annual base + qualifying client-audit copays
Standard Individual Client Audit Assistance™
Investment if those services were purchased separately at $5,997 per qualifying covered client audit
Standard Individual Client Audit Assistance™
One Covered Client Audit
Three Covered Client Audits
Five Covered Client Audits
Illustrations are based on The Audit Ally™ standard Client Audit Assistance™ investment of $5,997 per qualifying covered client audit. IRS Representation is not included unless the Representation Upgrade™ is selected. Figures are illustrative estimates for comparison purposes only and are not guaranteed savings.
Want to Keep Your Personalized Protection Estimate?
We'll generate a branded Client Audit Protection Report™ summarizing your firm's results — your customized estimate, selected client-audit coverage, Plus™ vs. Flex™ comparison, IRS Representation selection, a summary of available audit support, and next steps for enrollment — then take you straight to schedule your free consultation.
What's Included
What Your Client Audit Assistance™ Includes
When one of your covered clients receives an IRS audit notice, your firm won't be starting from scratch.
Depending on your selected protection plan and the terms of your Audit Protection Agreement, Client Audit Assistance™ may include:
Initial Strategy Consultation
Meet directly with the client to understand the IRS notice, discuss the examination process, gather facts, and develop an initial strategy.
IRS Notice Review
Analyze the audit notice to determine exactly what the IRS is requesting and identify important deadlines.
Documentation Review & Organization
Review and organize relevant documentation provided by the client. Identify missing documentation and discuss potential concerns before responding to the IRS.
Audit Response Strategy
Develop a strategic response based on the audit issues and available supporting documentation.
Drafting the Initial Audit Response
Prepare the client's initial written audit response or rebuttal package for submission to the IRS.
Initial IRS Correspondence
Prepare and submit the initial response package and communicate with the IRS regarding that initial submission when applicable.
Client Guidance
Communicate with the client throughout this initial phase so they understand what to expect and what additional information may be needed.
Professional Audit Support
Provide strategic guidance throughout the initial covered audit phase described in your Audit Protection Agreement.
Clear Boundaries · Clear Expectations
What Isn't Included in Client Audit Assistance™
Your Client Audit Protection Program™ is designed to provide meaningful professional support during the initial phase of a qualifying client audit — not unlimited services.
Unless specifically included in your selected protection plan or a separate engagement agreement, Client Audit Assistance™ does not automatically include:
- Appeals
- Tax Court representation
- Criminal investigations
- Fraud examinations
- Multiple rounds of IRS responses
- Expanded examination years
- Additional tax returns or entities
- Extensive bookkeeping reconstruction
- Creation of missing accounting records
- Preparation of amended returns
- Collection matters
- Installment agreements
- Offers in Compromise
- Penalty abatement requests unrelated to the covered examination
- Services outside the defined scope of the qualifying client audit
If additional services become necessary, your firm will receive a recommendation and a separate engagement proposal before additional work begins.
The Next Level of Support
IRS Representation Upgrade™
Client Audit Assistance™ is designed to guide your client through the initial audit response process.
Some firms, however, prefer that The Audit Ally™ continue serving as the client's authorized representative throughout the qualifying examination.
That's where the IRS Representation Upgrade™ comes in.
When selected, and where permitted by applicable professional authority and authorization requirements, the Representation Upgrade™ may include continued communication with the IRS, representation during qualifying examination activities, and ongoing case management within the defined scope of your Audit Protection Agreement.
Why Firms Secure Protection Early
The Time to Choose Your Audit Partner Isn't After the Notice Arrives.
Client Audit Protection™ isn't about expecting your clients to be audited. It's about making a business decision before you're under pressure. Your firm can:
Budget Before the Emergency
Know what your annual client-audit protection investment looks like in advance.
Keep the Client Relationship Strong
Give clients a clear professional path when they receive an IRS notice.
Avoid Scrambling for Help
Know exactly who your firm can turn to when a covered client audit occurs.
Stay Focused on Your Business
Continue running your practice while qualified audit support is already in place.
Your client trusted you with the return.
Make sure your firm has a plan if the IRS questions it.
Enrollment Process
Ready to Put Your Protection in Place?
Your assessment result is an estimate — not automatic enrollment.
Choose Your Protection
Select Plus™ or Flex™.
Receive Your Client Audit Protection Report™
Review your personalized estimate.
Review Program Terms
Receive the complete Coverage Rules & Pre-Enrollment Terms.
Eligibility Review
Your firm and selected protection period are reviewed for eligibility.
Execute Your Agreement
Complete the Audit Protection Program Agreement and required payment arrangements.
Protection Begins
Your protection begins according to the effective date and terms stated in your executed agreement.
Questions & Answers
Client Audit Protection Program™ FAQ
Is The Audit Ally™ Client Audit Protection Program insurance?
No. It is a professional-services program designed to provide defined audit-assistance services for qualifying covered client audits.
Is this the same as audit protection offered through my tax software?
No. Software-provider programs have their own terms, service structures, and providers. The Audit Ally™ program is a separate professional-services arrangement customized around your firm's selected protection.
Who is actually being protected?
The program is designed to provide professional audit assistance for qualifying audits involving eligible clients of the enrolled tax firm, subject to the program agreement.
How many client audits can my firm cover?
Standard assessment options allow eligible firms to select protection for up to 3, 4, or 5 qualifying covered client audits during the designated annual protection period.
Does IRS Representation come with every plan?
No. IRS Representation is available through the optional IRS Representation Upgrade™ and is included only when expressly stated in the executed agreement.
Does each covered client audit include unlimited work?
No. Each covered audit is subject to the service scope, client-file limits, examination limits, and other terms contained in your Audit Protection Agreement.
What if the IRS expands my client's audit?
Services that fall outside the defined scope of the covered audit may require an additional professional-service engagement and investment.
Can I use this protection for an audit that already started?
Existing, pending, known, previously initiated, or reasonably anticipated examination matters may not qualify for standard Client Audit Protection™. Separate audit-assistance services may be available.
Does protection cover prior years?
Your Client Audit Protection™ applies only to the specific annual protection period identified in the executed agreement. Prior protection periods are excluded unless separately added for an additional investment and approved.
What about future years?
Future protection periods are not automatically included. They may be added through renewal or separate enrollment for an additional investment.
Do unused covered client audits roll over?
Unused protection does not automatically roll into a future protection period unless expressly stated in the executed agreement.
What if my firm prepares more than 5,000 returns or generates more than $1 million?
Your firm will be directed to Enterprise Client Audit Protection™ for customized pricing and coverage.
Keep the Client.
Keep Their Trust.
Keep the Relationship.
When your clients receive an IRS audit notice, don't send them somewhere else. Have a professional audit strategy already in place.
Preparation is always better than panic.™
Program Disclosure
The Audit Ally™ Client Audit Protection Program™ is a professional-services program and is not an insurance policy or insurance product. It is designed to provide defined professional audit-assistance services for qualifying covered client examinations subject to the terms of the executed Audit Protection Program Agreement. Assessment results are estimates based on information provided by the user and current program pricing and do not constitute guaranteed eligibility or a final offer of services. Client Audit Protection™ applies only to the specific annual protection period identified in the firm's executed Audit Protection Agreement. Prior and future protection periods are not automatically included. Protection for additional prior or future periods may be available for an additional investment, subject to eligibility, review, applicable program terms, and acceptance by The Audit Ally™. Client Audit Assistance™ is included within the selected protection plan. IRS Representation is included only when the optional IRS Representation Upgrade™ is selected and expressly included in the executed agreement. Representation is subject to applicable authorization requirements, professional authority, defined service limits, and program terms. Program participation, qualifying client audits, covered services, annual audit limits, file-review limits, exclusions, waiting periods if applicable, and final eligibility are governed by the executed Audit Protection Program Agreement. Existing, pending, known, previously initiated, or reasonably anticipated examination matters may not qualify for standard protection. No IRS examination outcome, acceptance of documentation, penalty reduction, penalty abatement, or financial savings is guaranteed.