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Taxpayer Advocate Service (a division of the IRS)
By Charles Park on May 28, 2010
.jpg.aspx?width=75&height=75) The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS whose role is to represent taxpayers with difficulties resolving their tax issues through normal IRS channels. TAS is a free-of-charge service which was established in 2002 to address “grass-roots” issues (those raised by the TAS panelists and the general public) and improve the customer service of the IRS.
The TAS panel is composed of volunteers appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury for each state, totaling approximately 100 members nationwide. The panel is divided largely into two committees: Area, which solicits grass-roots or local issues and submits recommendations based on their findings to the IRS, and Issues, which addresses national initiatives or issues and their impact.
You could be eligible for this service if you are:
- experiencing financial hardship or difficulties affording appropriate professional representation
- not hearing a response or resolution from the IRS at the promised date
- experiencing a delay in resolution for more than 30 days.
To receive this service you will need to provide the following:
- Name, address, and Social Security Number (or an Employer Identification Number)
- Type of tax return for the pertinent years.
- Mode of contact (telephone number, email, availability, etc.)
- Detail on current difficulties and previous attempts to resolve the issue(s), office(s) that have been contacted.
The TAS will provide the following:
- Contact information of the advocate assigned to your case; your advocate will be your “voice” to the IRS and will continue to provide his or her services til your tax issues are resolved
- A detailed review of the problem and updates on the case
- Pertinent advice to your case
You can contact TAS via
- Toll-free phone number at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059
- Local contact information via Publication 1546, Taxpayer Advocate Service-Your Voice at the IRS.
- File a Form 911, request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance (Application for Tax Assistance Order)
Source:
"The Taxpayer Advocate Service Should Reevaluate the Roles of Its Staff and Improve the Administration of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel." 29, 9 2009. Department of the Treasury, Web. 10 Nov 2009. <http://www.treas.gov/tigta/auditreports/2009reports/200910121fr.pdf>.
"Who Qualifies?." TAS News and Information. 24, 9 2009. IRS, Web. 10 Nov 2009. <http://www.taspresskit.irs.gov/who-qualifies/>. |
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