Audit Sampling & Compliance Review
Sales tax audits can feel overwhelming — but with the right preparation, you can protect your business and minimize exposure. At BlancPeak, our CPA team provides audit sampling and compliance reviews that uncover risks before auditors do, giving you the documentation and strategy needed to defend your business.
Why Audit Sampling & Compliance Review Matter
When a state initiates a sales tax audit, they rarely review every transaction. Instead, they select samples and extrapolate results across your entire business. If errors are found in the sample, the tax bill can escalate quickly. Many businesses end up overpaying simply because they weren’t prepared.
Our CPAs conduct proactive compliance reviews and simulate audit sampling methods. This helps identify potential risks, correct issues, and ensure you have the documentation to support exemptions, deductions, and reporting. With our guidance, you face audits with confidence instead of uncertainty.
What’s Included
Pre-audit compliance reviews
Simulation of audit sampling methods
Documentation review for exemptions and deductions
CPA-backed defense during state audits
Strategies to minimize penalties and interest
We Help With
Lack of documentation for exemptions or deductions
Errors discovered in audit sampling that inflate liabilities
Inconsistent reporting across locations or systems
Surprise audits leading to costly settlements
Stress and uncertainty around compliance obligations
Explore More Sales & Specialized Tax Services
Audit reviews are just one way we protect your business. Explore other services in our Sales & Specialized Tax category:
- Sales & Use Tax Compliance — accurate filings across states
- Nexus Discovery & Compliance — identify and manage multi-state obligations
- Excise & Property Tax Compliance — specialized compliance for industry-specific taxes
- Sales Tax Exemptions Review — ensure exemptions are valid and defensible
- Indirect Tax Recovery — recover overpaid taxes and boost cash flow
FAQs: Audit Sampling & Compliance Review
A CPA helps you avoid overpaying taxes and build a strategy that supports your financial goals. Here’s what you need to know about tax filing, planning, and audit representation —whether you’re in New York or anywhere in the US.
What is audit sampling in a sales tax audit?
Audit sampling is when state auditors review a small portion of your transactions and apply the findings to your entire business. If errors are found, they’re extrapolated, which can greatly inflate the final tax liability. That’s why preparing ahead is so important.
Can a compliance review really reduce audit risk?
Yes. A compliance review identifies issues — like missing exemption certificates or reporting errors — before the state does. Fixing these in advance not only reduces audit exposure but also demonstrates good faith, which may limit penalties.
What happens if I can’t provide exemption certificates during an audit?
Without valid documentation, auditors will assume the sale was taxable, even if it wasn’t. This is one of the most common reasons businesses face inflated assessments. We help you organize, validate, and maintain exemption certificates to avoid this outcome.
How often should my business conduct a compliance review?
At least once a year, or whenever your business expands into new states or sales channels. Regular reviews help catch errors early, maintain accurate records, and prevent small mistakes from becoming costly during an audit.
Will you represent my business if I’m already under audit?
Yes. We provide full audit defense — managing correspondence, reviewing state sampling methods, and negotiating on your behalf. With CPA oversight, you don’t face auditors alone, and we ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
