Dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be challenging, especially when standard procedures fail to resolve your tax issues. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS designed to assist taxpayers facing significant hardships or systemic issues. At Tax Law Advocates, we guide clients through the process of leveraging TAS to address unresolved IRS disputes effectively.

Understanding the Taxpayer Advocate Service

The TAS operates independently within the IRS to ensure that taxpayers are treated fairly and understand their rights.Their mission is to assist individuals and businesses experiencing:

  • Financial Hardship: Situations where IRS actions are causing or will cause significant financial difficulties.
  • Systemic Issues: Cases where IRS systems or procedures have failed to operate as intended, leading to unresolved problems.
  • Fair and Equitable Treatment Concerns: Instances where taxpayers believe their rights are being compromised.

TAS services are free, and each case is assigned to an advocate who remains with the taxpayer throughout the resolution process. 

Determining Eligibility for TAS Assistance

To assess whether TAS can assist with your specific tax issue, consider the following criteria:

  • Economic Burden: Are you facing financial difficulties due to IRS actions?
  • Systemic Burden: Has there been a delay of more than 30 days in resolving your tax issue, or has the IRS failed to respond by a promised date?
  • Equity Concerns: Do you believe the IRS’s actions are unfair or inequitable?

You can use the TAS Qualifier Tool to determine if your situation meets the criteria for assistance. 

Initiating a Request for Assistance

If you believe TAS can help, you can submit a request by completing Form 911, Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance. This form requires detailed information about your tax issue, the steps you’ve taken to resolve it, and the hardship you’re experiencing.

Once completed, you can submit Form 911 via:

  • Fax: Send to the TAS office in your geographic area.
  • Mail: Mail to the address of your local TAS office.
  • Phone: Call the TAS toll-free number at 1-877-777-4778 for assistance.

TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. You can find contact information for your local office on the 

What to Expect After Submission

After submitting Form 911, a TAS representative will review your case to determine eligibility. If accepted, you’ll be assigned a case advocate who will work with you to resolve the issue. The advocate will communicate directly with IRS personnel on your behalf and keep you informed throughout the process.

If you don’t receive a response within 30 days, it’s advisable to follow up by calling the TAS toll-free number. 

Additional Resources

For taxpayers with limited income or those who speak English as a second language, the IRS offers Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs). These clinics provide free or low-cost assistance in resolving tax disputes and can represent taxpayers in dealings with the IRS.

Conclusion

Navigating IRS disputes can be daunting, but the Taxpayer Advocate Service offers a valuable resource for those facing unresolved issues. By understanding the eligibility criteria and following the proper procedures to request assistance, you can leverage TAS to help resolve your tax problems effectively.

At Tax Law Advocates, we are committed to assisting clients in utilizing all available resources, including TAS, to achieve favorable outcomes in their tax disputes. If you’re facing challenges with the IRS and need guidance on engaging with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert assistance.