are under audit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are under audit" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it when referring to a company or individual's financial records being audited. For example, "The company's financial records are under audit by the IRS."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

His reasons for doing so have been varied, including assertions that the taxes are under audit.

The Washington Post

Mr. Trump hides behind the excuse that his returns are under audit.

The Washington Post

"His taxes are under audit, so he's not going to release those taxes," she said.

The Washington Post

Trump claimed it wouldn't make sense to release his tax returns while, he said, they are under audit.

The Washington Post

Charles P. Rettig, the I.R.S. commissioner, said Tuesday at a congressional hearing that no rules prohibited taxpayers who are under audit from releasing their tax returns.

The New York Times

Trump has consistently refused requests by politicians, journalists and others, stating his reason for not doing so is that the returns are under audit.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

(Trump claims he can't release them because he's under audit, though Richard Nixon showed his returns to the public while being audited. This week, VICE News filed a lawsuit with the IRS seeking to gain access to the audits of Trump's returns).

Vice

"I've been under audit for 10 or 12 years.

The Guardian

Look, I've been under audit almost for 15 years.

The Washington Post

Richard Nixon released his tax returns while they were under audit.

The Washington Post

"I have no obligation to do that while I'm under audit, and no lawyer would tell you to release your taxes while you're under audit.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are under audit", ensure you can support the claim with credible evidence, as it implies a formal examination by an authority.

Common error

Don't mistakenly believe that being "under audit" legally prevents the release of documents. While it might be a strategic reason for non-disclosure, no law prohibits it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are under audit" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a subject (typically financial records or tax returns) is currently being examined by an auditing authority. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are under audit" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression indicating that something, typically financial records, is currently being examined by an auditing authority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Primarily used in news and formal business contexts, the phrase informs an audience about the ongoing review or investigation. While the phrase itself doesn't imply any wrongdoing, it does suggest a formal level of scrutiny. Common related phrases include "are being audited" and "are subject to audit". It's important to note that, despite claims to the contrary, being "under audit" does not legally prevent the release of relevant documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being audited

Focuses on the ongoing process of the audit.

are audited

Concise form indicating the state of being audited.

are subject to audit

Emphasizes the susceptibility or likelihood of being audited.

are facing an audit

Highlights the confrontation with an impending audit.

are the subject of an audit

Emphasizes that an audit is the main topic or focus.

are undergoing scrutiny

Highlights the detailed examination and potential criticism involved.

are under examination

Focuses on the process of close inspection.

are being reviewed

Suggests a more general assessment or evaluation.

are being inspected

Implies a more hands-on and potentially regulatory examination.

are liable to be audited

Indicates potential or legal obligation to be audited.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are under audit"?

Use "are under audit" when referring to financial records or processes currently undergoing a formal examination by an auditing body, such as the IRS.

What does it mean when tax returns "are under audit"?

When tax returns "are under audit", it means the IRS is currently examining the returns for accuracy and compliance with tax laws.

What can I say instead of "are under audit"?

You can use alternatives like "are being audited", "are subject to audit", or "are under examination depending on the context.

Does being "under audit" prevent someone from releasing their tax returns?

No, being "under audit" does not legally prevent someone from releasing their tax returns. This has been noted in cases such as with Richard Nixon who released his tax returns even when they were undergoing audit.