What Is Sentinel Defender?
Even a perfectly prepared tax return can attract IRS attention. When a notice arrives, most people don't know how to respond — or worse, they respond incorrectly and make things worse.
Sentinel Defender is an add-on protection program available to Sentinel Tax clients. When you receive an IRS or state tax notice, your CPA steps in immediately — reviewing the notice, preparing the response, and communicating with tax authorities directly on your behalf.
You don't write a single letter. You don't sit on hold with the IRS. You forward the notice to us and we handle it from there.
The Difference a CPA Makes
Responding to an IRS notice without professional help often results in agreeing to adjustments you don't owe, missing deadlines, or inadvertently opening additional areas of scrutiny. A CPA who prepared your return knows exactly what was reported and why — which is the most powerful defense you can have.
What's Covered
- ✓IRS Notice Review — we analyze every notice and explain exactly what it means and what's at stake
- ✓Written Response Preparation — professionally drafted IRS response letters, prepared by your CPA
- ✓CPA Representation — your CPA communicates directly with the IRS or state tax authority on your behalf
- ✓Audit Support — full support through the audit process including document preparation and examiner communications
- ✓Red Flag Review — pre-filing review of your return to identify items likely to attract IRS scrutiny
- ✓State Tax Notices — coverage extends to notices from your state tax authority as well
IRS Notices
CP2000, CP2501, proposed changes, math error notices — we handle every type of IRS correspondence so you don't have to figure out what they mean or how to respond.
Audits & Examinations
Correspondence audits, office audits, or field examinations. We prepare your documentation, communicate with the examiner, and work toward the best possible outcome.
Pre-Filing Protection
Before your return is filed, we review for items that commonly trigger scrutiny — helping you stay off the IRS radar in the first place.
How It Works
Sentinel Defender is available as an add-on to your annual Sentinel Tax package. When you're enrolled, simply forward any IRS or state tax notice to your CPA as soon as you receive it. We review it, determine the appropriate response, and handle all communications. You'll be kept informed at every step — but you won't need to do the heavy lifting.
To add Defender to your account or ask questions about coverage, schedule a call or log in to your client portal and message your CPA directly.