Taxpayer advocates can help you resolve problems with the IRS, especially if they are causing you financial hardship
If you’ve ever had a tax problem, someone may have suggested that you contact a taxpayer advocate. But who are these taxpayer advocates and what exactly do they do?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization inside the IRS. They serve as your voice inside the sometimes opaque IRS. They’re free, so you have nothing to lose in contacting them. Oftentimes with tax issues, the worst thing you can do is nothing at all.
When you should contact the TAS?
When should you contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service?
- If you are experiencing economic hardship, for example if you are unable to afford basic necessities like housing, transportation, and food.
- If you are unable to resolve a problem with the IRS by speaking to a normal representative (1-800-829-1040).
- If you believe there’s a problem with an IRS system or procedure that needs to be corrected or improved.
Who qualifies?
Because the TAS has limited resources, you do have to qualify for their help. In order to qualify you must
- have tax problems that are causing financial difficulty or significant cost, including the cost of professional representation,
- have experienced a delay of over thirty days in resolving your tax issue, or
- you have not received a response or resolution from the IRS by the date they promised.
If you do qualify, you will be assigned a single taxpayer advocate who will guide your case through to resolution with the IRS.
How to contact
You can contact a taxpayer advocate based on where you live. Visit the Contact a Local Taxpayer Advocate page on the IRS site and select your state. You can then choose the office closest to you to contact.
Each state has at least one office. If you live in the Pacific U.S. Territories (Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands) you should use the Hawaii office. If you live in the Caribbean U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands) you should use the Puerto Rico office.
State offices
Several states also have taxpayer advocated to help you deal with state tax problems. For example, New York has Taxpayer Rights Advocates that can help you cut through red tape and resolve issues with the Department of Taxation and Finance. California also has a Taxpayers’ Rights Advocates that can help with the same sorts of problems. Check to see if your state has a similar office.
File your taxes
Remember, the best way to get right with the IRS (and save yourself money!) is to make sure that you are file your current year taxes on time and that you are all caught up with your past year taxes. RapidTax can help you solve both of these problems. Visit the site today to take advantage of free tax filing.
I did a re-file of my tax return and it was received by IRS on 21st Sep 2017 (it was sent by registered mail) …. that is over 28 weeks ago. I have phoned IRS so many times to try to find out the status of my refund which is due to me and I am getting no where and getting no answers. I was finally told that they would assign a tax advocate to my case and I was promised a phone call back within five days. THis didn’t happen. I have made two phone calls to try to reach the tax advocate who was assigned my case and she isn’t returning my call. I am at a total loss as to how I progress my tax matter. Making a tax payer wait over 28 weeks, when they are already facing grave financial hardship, is really outrageous. I have no idea where I go to now to escalate the matter … the IRS aren’t processing my tax return, they aren’t communicating with me as to what the delay is and the tax advocate is not progressing the matter either. Where do I now go?????? Cecily Cotter
Hey, did your issue ever get resolved?
Im in debit bewn waiting o tax return since February please help
If you are awaiting your refund from your already filed tax return, it would be in your best interest to contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You may also contact your local IRS office for further assistance as well.