Chances are, youre not going to get audited.

Unless your income isreallyhigh,you have a less than 1% chance of getting picked for an audit.

If it happens, though, you want to be prepared.

From organizing your information to knowing your rights, heres a guide to surviving an audit from the IRS.

Taxpayers who report an income of zero have a 1 in 20 chance of an audit.

For the rest of us, though, fewer than 1 in 100 returns are picked.

And you usually have toraise some serious red flagsto trigger an audit.

Maybe your home office deduction was enormous.

Maybe your business income dropped so much that the IRS thinks youre hiding cash.

Either waymost of us wont have to worry about an audit.

If youre one of the unlucky few, however, it can be a hairy process.

And there are three basic types.

Office Audits:The office audit is a little more complicated (and a little more dreaded).

Youre required to actually go into an IRS office with required paperwork.

They visit your home or business and ask to see your records.

If youre audited, the IRS willsend you a letter or perhaps even give you a call.

Theyll never email you, though.

And if the IRSdoescall, theyll also send a letter (heres an exampleof an audit letter).

The letter will tell you what kind of audit youre dealing with and what specific records the IRS needs.

It may be possible to begin the audit with the information available rather than postpone the appointment.

The quicker the audit begins, the quicker it can be resolved.

To reschedule, just send an IRS a written letter requesting a postponement.Heres a sampleyou can follow.

Once your audit is scheduled, its time to get your paperwork in order.

Again, your audit letter should include a list of all the forms you need.

They suggest you talk to your auditor directly to determine whats acceptable.

In some cases, proving you paid for something wont even be enough.

If the auditor thinks your new documents are reasonable, they might let you keep your deductions.

Still, you want to be prepared for rejection.

Theres a chance the auditor may not accept your documents as adequate proof.

It all depends on the auditor, but its something to keep in mind.

For that reason, it helps to remain calm and be accommodating.

Plus, your auditor is just doing his or her job, sotheres no need to be a jerk.

You want to be honest and accommodating, but you also want to be brief.

Auditors are trained to listen to everything you say.

Talking too much is a very common mistake and costs people big money during audits.

It is best to be completely honest, but do not ramble and say anything more than is required.

Similarly, they say you shouldnt offer additional years of tax return information.

Stick to the required documents and keep it simple.

To have someone represent you, youll have to submitIRS Form 2848.

Once you sign this form, the IRS isnt supposed to contact you directly.

Fox Business points outa couple of additional advantages to hiring a professional.

Theyre familiar with the process, for one, so they can help make it as smooth as possible.

Taxpayers generally have the right to take their cases to court.

Taxpayers have the right to seek assistance from a

Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

if they cannot afford representation.

As law site USLegal.com points out, you have the right to appeal this adjustment.

You have to send a written letterof your appealwithin 60 days of the notice.

If there are no changes, the report will tell you that, too.

If there are changes, you have two options.

you’re able to agree with the findings, then sign the report or form.

If you dont reply within 30 days, the IRS sends you a notice.

If you dont reply to that for another 30 days, theyll consider the findings final.

If you want to appeal, the IRSoutlines the process here.

You will, however, have to fork over interest during the appeal period for any finalized payments.

In the spirit of survival, however, its good to be prepared.

Illustration by: Sam Woolley