IRS Compliance Self-Check
A simple self-audit to confirm your business is IRS-ready.
What This Self-Check Helps You Do
✔ Identify compliance gaps early
✔ Reduce audit and notice risk
✔ Confirm your records are defensible
✔ Build a repeatable quarterly compliance habit
What You’ll Get
⚡ Easy-to-use self-audit format
🧠 Beginner-friendly language
🗂️ Designed for ongoing IRS readiness
📄 Clean, printable PDF layout
Who This Self-Check Is For
👤 Sole proprietors
🧾 Single-member & multi-member LLCs
🏢 S-Corporations
🚗 Gig workers, freelancers, and online businesses
🌱 First-time business tax filers
Not intended for:
🏛️ Large corporations with in-house accounting teams
⚠️ Businesses currently under IRS audit or investigation
🌍 Complex multinational or publicly traded entities
What’s Inside the Self-Check
🏷️ Business Identity & Registration
Confirm your business foundation is set up correctly and matches IRS records.
💳 Income Reporting Compliance
Verify that all business income—platform, cash, and 1099—is properly recorded.
🧾 Expense & Deduction Documentation
Ensure deductions are supported with receipts, purpose, and accurate categorization.
👥 Payroll & Contractor Compliance
Confirm worker classification, filings, and required tax forms are handled correctly.
📆 Estimated Tax & Payment Compliance
Review quarterly estimated taxes, payment timing, and prior-year balances.
🗄️ Recordkeeping & Retention
Check that records, statements, receipts, and backups are complete and accessible.
🏅 Tax Credits & Special Items
Confirm credits are eligible, documented, and filed correctly.
📊 Final Compliance Score
Evaluate whether your business is IRS-Ready, Needs Attention, or High Risk.
🧭 IRS Compliance Snapshot
Convert your answers into a clear compliance decision and next steps.
🎯 Action Plan
Identify your top three fixes and set completion targets.
⚠️ Common IRS Risk Areas
Unreported income and worker misclassification are among the most frequent IRS audit triggers. This self-check helps you identify these risks before they escalate.
Why This Checklist Matters
💸 Overpaying Taxes
Misclassified income can increase taxable income unnecessarily.
🚫 Missing Legitimate Deductions
Incorrect categorization often causes business deductions to be overlooked.
🚨 Audit Red Flags
Inconsistent or unclear income reporting increases audit risk.
🏦 Loan or Credit Application Denials
Lenders rely on clean income classification to assess risk and eligibility.
📉 Inconsistent Financial Statements
Poor income structure weakens financial reporting and credibility.
How It Works
📝 Answer Honestly
Review each section and check what applies to your business.
🚩 Flag Gaps
Mark incomplete items so nothing is overlooked.
📅 Review Quarterly
Use this self-check before tax season or every quarter.
Best practice: Save your notes and action items each time so you can show consistency year-round.
Real-World Example
👤 Example: Daniel R. — Independent Consultant & Online Seller
Daniel runs a small consulting business and sells digital products online. He handles his own bookkeeping and files estimated taxes quarterly, but he had never done a full IRS compliance review.
When Daniel completed the IRS Compliance Self-Check, he discovered several gaps:
💳 Income Reporting: Platform payouts were recorded, but fees weren’t clearly reconciled.
🧾 Deductions: Receipts existed, but business purpose notes were missing on several expenses.
📆 Estimated Taxes: Payments were made, but confirmation records weren’t saved.
🗄️ Recordkeeping: Prior-year returns were stored, but bank statements weren’t consistently archived.
Using the self-check, Daniel created a short action plan:
Reconciled platform income to deposits
Added business-purpose notes to expenses
Saved payment confirmations in a single folder
Set a quarterly reminder to rerun the self-check
Result:
Within one afternoon, Daniel moved from “Needs Attention” to IRS-Ready, reduced his risk exposure, and now uses the self-check every quarter as part of his financial routine.
✅ Result
📊 Clean books
🧑💼 Fewer CPA questions
🏦 Stronger funding & underwriting documentation
🧾 What You’ll Learn to Classify & Document
🧭 How to confirm your business is IRS-ready
Learn how to review your records, filings, and documentation the same way the IRS expects them to be organized.
💳 How to verify all income is properly reported
Understand how to check platform income, deposits, and 1099s so nothing is missed or misclassified.
🧾 How to document deductions correctly
Learn what makes an expense defensible, including receipts, business purpose, and usage tracking.
👥 How to spot payroll and contractor risks
Identify common misclassification and filing issues that trigger IRS scrutiny.
📆 How to stay current on estimated taxes
Learn how to review quarterly payments, confirmations, and safe-harbor compliance.
🗄️ How to maintain audit-ready records
Understand what records to keep, how long to retain them, and how to organize them for easy access.
📊 How to assess your overall compliance level
Learn how to score your business honestly and prioritize fixes before problems escalate.
🎯 How to create a clear action plan
Turn your results into specific next steps with timelines so compliance becomes manageable—not overwhelming.
📎 Proof You’ll Learn to Use
📄 Bank statements
📊 Platform earnings reports
🧾 Invoices & receipts
📑 1099 forms
Each category shows exact proof examples lenders, CPAs, and the IRS expect to see.
Download Options
📄 PDF – Instant Digital Download
Download immediately after purchase. Optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile viewing.
🖨️ Print-Friendly Format
Clean layout designed for standard 8.5×11 printing and binder storage.
📱 Mobile & Tablet Ready
Easy to view, scroll, and reference on phones and tablets.
🔐 Secure Access
Files are delivered through CGA’s secure checkout and download system.
📦 Single-File Download
Everything included in one organized PDF—no multiple files to manage.
Important Notes
🔒 Educational Use Only
This self-check is for informational purposes and does not replace professional tax or legal advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.
⚡ Get Instant Access
⬇️ Immediate Download After Purchase
Access the guide instantly—no waiting, no shipping.
📄 Digital PDF Format
Download and save to your device for quick reference anytime.
📱 Use on Any Device
Works seamlessly on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
🔐 Secure Checkout & Delivery
Your purchase and download are protected through CGA’s secure system.
🔄 Lifetime Access
Re-download anytime using your original purchase link.
Part of the Credit Growth Academy Financial Systems Series
Designed to help entrepreneurs:
Build strong financial foundations
Stay compliant year-round
Prepare for funding, credit, and growth
FAQs
❓ Is this a tax or legal advice product?
No. This self-check is for educational and organizational purposes only. It helps you review your records and identify potential gaps, but it does not replace professional tax or legal advice.
🧾 Do I need accounting software to use this?
No. The self-check is designed to work whether you use spreadsheets, bookkeeping software, or manual records. No accounting knowledge is required.
📅 How often should I use the IRS Compliance Self-Check?
Quarterly is best. You should also use it before tax season or anytime your business experiences a major change (new income streams, contractors, or structure changes).
👥 Is this only for certain business types?
It works for sole proprietors, LLCs, S-Corporations, freelancers, gig workers, and online businesses. It is not intended for large corporations or businesses currently under IRS audit.
⚠️ Will this prevent an IRS audit?
No tool can guarantee that. However, using this self-check helps you reduce common risk factors by ensuring your records and filings are complete, accurate, and organized.
🗂️ What should I do if I find gaps or issues?
Use the Action Plan section to document what needs to be corrected, gather missing records, and address issues promptly. For complex matters, consult a qualified tax professional.
📄 Is this a one-time checklist?
No. This is a repeatable compliance tool. Many business owners use it quarterly to stay audit-ready all year.
🔒 Is my information stored or submitted anywhere?
No. This is a self-guided review. Your answers and notes stay with you and are not collected or shared.
🧠 Is this suitable for beginners?
Yes. The language and structure are beginner-friendly, while still covering the areas experienced business owners need to review.
Support
Questions or download issues?
📧 support@creditgrowthacademy.com
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