[swilhelm73]

So presuming you got a wrong answer from the IRS itself, how well would this protect you, if at all, from an IRS audit?

Unfortunately, I'm guessing not at all...

[Randjuke]

So presuming you got a wrong answer from the IRS itself, how well would this protect you, if at all, from an IRS audit?

If I remember correctly, it will not prevent an audit, but if you document the date and name of who gave you the advice it can be used as defense during an audit. Not that that's much consolation.

[patton]

Since you are "guessing", I presume you are not paying attention.

Federal courts have ruled, repeatedly, that relience on advice from the IRS does not exscuse one from IRS penalties.