Working with the IRS on a complicated tax issue may not be the easiest thing in the world. Fortunately, some help within the organization is available to the public. The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that works as the “voice of the taxpayer” in the IRS. Generally, they ensure taxpayers are treated fairly and that all of their rights are understood when dealing with the IRS. Additionally, TAS recommends larger process changes to the IRS and Congress to help the IRS better serve taxpayers and improve efficiency.
Taxpayer Bill of Rights
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights sets the bar in how the IRS and its employees must work with taxpayers. Not technically new, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights as it currently stands is codified from a mix of the Internal Revenue Code, IRS administrative policies, and other laws & regulations. They are:
- The right to be informed
- The right to quality service
- The right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax
- The right to challenge the IRS’s position and be heard
- The right to appeal to an IRS decision in an independent forum
- The right to finality
- The right to privacy
- The right to confidentiality
- The right to retain representation
- The right to a fair and just tax system
Check out our article that goes into more depth about these rights.
TAS At Your Service
Individual taxpayers experiencing issues with the IRS or feel they have been treated unfairly are able to reach out the Taxpayer Advocate Service for help. A taxpayer advocate will work with the taxpayer to resolve their issues with the IRS. Additionally, TAS provides various resources on their website to help taxpayers understand their rights and how TAS can assist them.
Quality service to taxpayers/clients is a priority all tax and accounting professionals strive towards. Spotlighting available services such as TAS for those who may need assistance is something we at MiklosCPA believe is part of our goal to demonstrate that #AccountingIsAwesome for our clients and readers. We help our clients meet their accounting and tax needs so that they can achieve their business dreams and ambitions. Want to learn how our services can help your business? Let’s chat. Also, please check out our social media pages for additional tax tidbits and other useful good-to-know pieces.