Tax Debts and the Taxpayer Advocate Service

Have you ever dealt with an IRS representative who is less than helpful? This is a frustrating predicament for taxpayers that just want to put their IRS tax debt behind them so they can move on with their lives. However, it is easy to forget that the IRS is staffed by human beings with all the common foibles of ordinary people.

Even though they may not always demonstrate them openly, IRS representatives often allow their own emotions and personal problems to creep into their work. Furthermore, IRS employees have varying levels of competency and skill. If you have been working with the IRS to settle your tax liabilities and feel that you have been treated unfairly or incompetently, you may want to request the assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) describes itself as "an independent organization within the IRS." The service is free, but not everyone who owes back taxes will qualify for TAS assistance. A taxpayer normally must be experiencing some kind of economic burden or delay imposed by the IRS. If you believe that you fit this criteria, or if you believe that an IRS procedure is just not functioning properly, you may want to consult with the TAS by calling 1-877-777-4778. You will need to give them your basic contact information and describe to them the actions you have taken to try to resolve your tax debt. If they decide that they can help, you will be given a case number, and you will be contacted by your assigned Case Advocate usually within a week or so. The individual Case Advocate will work as a mediator between you and the IRS.

Although your individual tax debt is certainly your top priority, there are thousands of other hard-working Americans that run into the same red tape and bureaucracy that you have. Another function of the TAS is to respond to systemic advocacy issues. These are the kind of issues that affect a large number of taxpayers and relate to the policies and procedures of the IRS. The remedy for these kinds of issues is generally legislative in nature. There is really no better source of ideas and recommendations for change than those who have been on the receiving end of a levy, audit, or other IRS procedure. Do not hesitate to submit your own advocacy project by visiting the "Systemic Advocacy Management System (SAMS) page on IRS.gov.

The Federal Government has worked over the years to emphasize the independence of the TAS. They want taxpayers to have a second set of eyes available to them for assistance in resolving their tax debt. However, this organization is still just what it claims to be: an independent organization within the IRS. It is difficult to imagine that a TAS employee would be able to offer the same degree of independence and advocacy as a truly independent tax professional.

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