Net Worth-Cash Expenditure

Under the net worth and cash expenditure methods of proof, the IRS performs year-by-year-by-year comparisons of net worth and cash expenditures to identify under reporting of net worth. While the net worth method and the cash accrual method may be used separately, they are often used in conjunction with one another. Under the net worth method, the IRS chooses a year to determine the taxpayer's opening net worth at year’s end. This provides a snapshot of the taxpayer's net worth at a particular point in time. The snapshot includes the taxpayer’s cash on hand, bank accounts, brokerage (stocks and bonds), house, cars, beach house, jewelry, furs and other similar items. Generally the IRS learns about these items through very thorough and in-depth investigations, sometimes casing the suspected fraudulent taxpayer.

In addition, the IRS also assesses the taxpayer’s liabilities. Liabilities include expenses such as the taxpayer’s mortgage, car loans, credit card debts, student loans, and personal loans. The opening net worth is the most critical point at which the IRS must assess the taxpayer's assets and liabilities.