Secure Tax Credits. Lock In Audit Defense.
IRS filing is just paperwork without the right protections
Even elite tax filings can trigger routine IRS reviews. Anchor Accounting handles your recovery to the highest standards, while Harbor Shield monitors and defends your business through the entire audit window.
Continuous IRS Monitoring
Vetted Tax Attorneys
Pre-Funded Legal Defense
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The Future of Audit Defense Starts Before the Audit
Traditional audit defense often begins after a business receives an IRS notice. By that point, the company may be scrambling to understand the request, locate documents, find qualified representation, and determine how much the defense will cost.
Harbor Shield creates a more proactive approach.
Using monitoring data powered by Anchor Accounting Services, Harbor Shield helps watch covered IRS filings throughout the applicable audit window. If relevant activity appears, the business can receive earlier notice and follow a defined path to qualified legal support.
This turns audit defense from an unexpected future crisis into a planned compliance strategy.
What Harbor Shield Adds to the Anchor Accounting Client Experience
IRS Transcript Monitoring
Anchor Accounting provides the data infrastructure that supports ongoing monitoring of IRS transcript activity tied to eligible filings and programs.
Earlier Audit and Enforcement Alerts
Monitoring can help identify certain audit indicators, notices, or account changes before a paper notice reaches the business.
Access to Vetted Tax Attorneys
If a covered audit occurs, the client is connected with an experienced tax attorney who can evaluate the matter and lead the defense.
Covered Legal Defense Costs
Harbor Shield helps cover eligible attorney invoices up to the stated guarantee limit, reducing the risk of unpredictable out-of-pocket legal expenses.
Attorney-Client Privilege Preserved
The client hires the attorney directly, helping preserve the confidentiality of the attorney-client relationship while Harbor Shield covers eligible costs.
Protection Through the Audit Window
Coverage is designed to remain in place throughout the applicable statutory audit period for the covered filing, credit, or benefit program.
Protection for High-Value, IRS-Sensitive Programs
Harbor Shield is designed for businesses and professional partners working with tax credits and benefit structures where documentation, compliance, and audit readiness matter.
ERC Audit Defense
R&D Tax Credit Audit Defense
FICA Tip Credit Audit Defense
Section 125 Audit Defense
Additional corporate tax and payroll compliance programs may be evaluated based on the specific filing and available Harbor Shield coverage.
See Whether Your Filing May Be CoveredA Simple Process Built Around Protection
Enroll
Select the eligible filing, credit, quarter, or benefit program and complete the Harbor Shield agreement and required IRS authorization forms.
Sync and Verify
Anchor Accounting establishes the applicable monitoring connection and reviews initial IRS transcript activity to create a clear starting point.
Monitor
AAS-powered data updates support continued monitoring of the covered filing or program throughout the applicable protection period.
Defend
If a covered audit occurs, the client is connected with a vetted tax attorney, hires the attorney directly, and Harbor Shield covers eligible invoices up to the applicable guarantee limit.
Why Anchor Accounting Recommends Harbor Shield
Anchor Accounting does not treat complex tax work as a one-time filing event.
Our role is to help clients identify the opportunity, document it correctly, pursue it responsibly, and understand what may happen after submission. Harbor Shield naturally extends that process by adding proactive monitoring and a defined legal defense pathway.
It does not mean the filing is expected to be audited. It means the business has taken a responsible step to prepare for an IRS review before one occurs.
Anchor Accounting helps prepare the opportunity.
Anchor Accounting powers the monitoring.
Harbor Shield helps protect the filing.
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This Is Not Traditional E&O Protection
Traditional Errors and Omissions coverage is generally designed to protect the professional who prepared the filing if that professional made an error. It may not protect the business from the cost of defending a legitimate IRS audit.
Harbor Shield serves a different purpose.
Traditional E&O may protect the provider.
Harbor Shield helps protect the covered business.
Traditional E&O may require the client to pay defense costs independently.
Harbor Shield helps cover eligible attorney invoices up to the stated guarantee limit.
Traditional E&O may depend on whether someone made an error.
Harbor Shield is designed to support covered audits even when the filing was prepared carefully and in good faith.
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Who Should Consider Harbor Shield?
Harbor Shield may be a strong fit for:
Businesses that claimed or plan to claim the FICA Tip Credit
Companies pursuing R&D tax credits
Businesses with covered ERC filings still within the audit window
Employers adopting eligible MEC or Section 125 benefit structures
Companies that want predictable audit defense costs
Businesses concerned about future IRS review
CPAs, tax professionals, payroll providers, PEOs, and advisors seeking added protection for their clients
Organizations that want proactive, data-driven compliance monitoring instead of relying only on mailed IRS notices
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harbor Shield mean my filing is risky?
No. Offering audit defense does not mean an audit is expected or that the filing is questionable. IRS reviews can occur even when businesses and advisors act carefully and in good faith.
Is Harbor Shield an insurance company?
No. Harbor Shield provides audit defense protection through contractual guarantees that are backed by insurance.
How does Harbor Shield monitor IRS activity?
Harbor Shield uses monitoring data and technical infrastructure powered by Anchor Accounting Services. This allows relevant IRS transcript activity tied to eligible filings or programs to be monitored throughout the applicable protection period.
What happens if an audit occurs?
The client is connected with a vetted tax attorney and hires that attorney directly. Harbor Shield then helps cover eligible legal defense invoices according to the applicable agreement and guarantee limit.
How much legal defense coverage is available?
Harbor Shield commonly provides up to $50,000 in eligible legal defense costs per covered occurrence. Exact limits, exclusions, and conditions depend on the applicable agreement.
Who chooses the attorney?
The client hires the attorney directly from the available legal network, helping preserve attorney-client privilege.
Why would I need Harbor Shield if Anchor Accounting prepared my filing?
Anchor Accounting helps calculate, document, prepare, or support the filing. The IRS independently determines which filings it reviews. Harbor Shield addresses the separate cost and legal representation needs that may arise if a covered filing is later audited.
Can I wait until an audit begins to seek protection?
Harbor Shield is intended to be established before an audit or qualifying enforcement event begins. Waiting until a notice arrives may leave the business responsible for finding representation and paying legal costs without coverage.
Does Harbor Shield guarantee the outcome of an audit?
No. Harbor Shield provides monitoring, access to legal representation, and covered defense costs for eligible matters. It does not guarantee any result from the IRS.
Do Not Wait for an IRS Letter to Think About Defense
If your business has claimed or plans to claim an eligible tax credit or benefit-related filing, Harbor Shield can add a more predictable defense layer before an audit ever begins.
Talk with Anchor Accounting Services about whether Harbor Shield fits your filing, benefit structure, or broader compliance strategy.
Disclaimer: Harbor Shield provides audit defense protection through contractual guarantees for covered filings and programs. Coverage, attorney cost reimbursement, monitoring, limits, and timing are subject to the applicable Harbor Shield agreement. Harbor Shield does not guarantee any IRS outcome and does not prevent audits.
