Can TAS help me with my tax issue?

Generally, we help taxpayers whose tax issues fall into one of these main categories. Select the topic below to learn more:

- - Financial HardshipFinancial Hardship (Economic burden) is when you are experiencing financial difficulty. These cases will fall under Reasons 1-4 (see below). You'll need to describe the hardship that is causing an economic burden, and you may be required to provide documentation to verify the hardship.
  - IRS System IssueIRS System Issue is when an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) process, system, Internal Revenue Code (IRC) or procedure has failed to operate properly. These cases will fall under Reasons 5-7 (see below). These cases may affect one or several taxpayers.
  - Fair & Equitable TreatmentTAS will help ensure that you receive fair and equitable treatment and that your rights as a taxpayer are protected.

Note: While the results of the TAS qualifier tool may indicate if TAS can help you with your tax issue, the final determination will be made by one of our Advocates.

However, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is taking internal measures to help taxpayers who have experienced significant delays due to the IRS inventory backlog. We’ve made temporary changes to the types of cases we can currently accept. Learn how TAS is assisting taxpayers in requesting help. Read the updated FAQs to help you determine if TAS can help you with your tax issue.

TAS Qualifier Tool

Note: We’ve made temporary changes to the types of cases we can currently accept.

Learn how TAS is assisting taxpayers in requesting help. Read the latest updates on requesting assistance from TAS.

Financial Hardship

Financial Hardship is also known as Economic Harm. Economic harm includes any damage or loss of finances in any capacity.

Will you lose or not remain in your house, not be able to get food, pay your utilities, or keep your transportation to work?
Will you incur significant costs such as fees for obtaining representation to help with relief?
Will you suffer negative impact such as loss of income, credit report damage, or any damage that cannot be put back the way they were prior.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, TAS may be able to help you.

IRS System Issue

An IRS System Issue is also known as Systemic Burden which could include:

A delay must be more than 30-days after regular processing time to resolve a tax-related problem. These cases also occur when the IRS sends multiple interim responses (letters stating to give them more time) and takes no other actions to resolve your issues.
If the IRS was supposed to respond to you or resolve your account by a specific date and they have not, you may qualify for TAS assistance.
If an IRS system or procedure has failed to operate as intended, or failed to resolve your problem or dispute with the IRS, TAS may be able to help you.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, TAS may be able to help you.

TAS may be able to Help You

Find out if TAS can help you based on one of these reasons

Financial Hardship

IRS System Issue

Fair & Equitable Treatment

Reasons TAS Can Help You

Reason 1 - 4

Financial Hardship issues are those involving a financial difficulty to a taxpayer, or an IRS action or inaction has caused or will cause negative financial consequences, or have a long-term adverse impact on a taxpayer.

Reason 1

You are experiencing financial hardship or you are about to suffer financial hardship.

Reason 2

You are facing an immediate threat of negative action.

Reason 3

You will incur significant costs if relief is not granted (including fees for professional representation).

Reason 4

You will suffer irreparable injury or long-term adverse impact if relief is not granted.

Reason 5 - 7

IRS System issues are those in which an IRS process, system, or procedure has failed to operate as intended, and as a result the IRS has failed to timely respond to or resolve a taxpayer issue.

Reason 5

You have experienced a delay to resolve a tax account problem.

Read the latest updates on the types of cases we can currently accept.

Reason 6

You have not received a response or resolution to the problem or inquiry by the date promised.

Reason 7

An IRS system or procedure has either failed to operate as intended, or failed to resolve your problem or dispute with the IRS.

Reason 8 - 9

TAS works to ensure you receive fair and equitable treatment and that your rights are protected.

Reason 8

TAS may help you if the manner in which the tax laws are being administered raise consideration of equity, or impair your taxpayer rights.

Reason 9

The National Taxpayer Advocate determines if compelling public policy warrants assistance to an individual or group of taxpayers.

Under this reason, TAS assistance is determined by the National Taxpayer Advocate and will generally be based on a unique set of circumstances warranting assistance to certain taxpayers.

Resources

About Us

Find out more about TAS

Form 911

Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance

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TAS Qualifier Tool

Financial Hardship

IRS System Issue

TAS may be able to Help You

Find out if TAS can help you based on one of these reasons

Reasons TAS Can Help You

Reason 1 - 4

Reason 5 - 7

Reason 8 - 9

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 an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum

The Right to Finality

The Right to Privacy

The Right to Confidentiality

The Right to Representation

The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System