Every year, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer’s tax issues. All personal details are removed to protect the taxpayer’s privacy.
A taxpayer filed returns for three tax years as head of household and claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) for two dependents. The taxpayer asked for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance after the IRS audited her returns and denied the claimed credits. The case advocate researched the taxpayer’s account and determined the taxpayer asked the IRS to reconsider her audit, but hadn’t heard anything from the IRS. The case advocate also discovered the EITC was denied because the taxpayer did not provide typical records the IRS usually accepts for proof of residency. The taxpayer had submitted a lease agreement to prove where she lived, along with a letter from her pastor. The taxpayer had custody of the children because their mother was a victim of domestic violence. TAS strongly recommended the IRS reconsider the documentation. Through excellent advocacy efforts, the IRS accepted the taxpayer’s documentation and issued refunds for each of the three tax years.
If you need information on a specific tax topic, visit the TAS Get Help resource. It offers a step-by step guide on what you can do to settle some IRS issues on your own, what your taxpayer rights are and other options available to help you get resolution. Most issues can be resolved directly by working with the IRS. However, if you have tried, but are still unable to resolve an IRS issue, learn more about whether TAS can help you: TAS eligibility.
When working with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, each individual or business taxpayer is assigned to an advocate who listens to the problem and helps the taxpayer understand what needs to be done to resolve their tax issue. TAS advocates will do everything they can to help taxpayers and work with them every step of the way. Occasionally we feature stories of taxpayers and advocates who work together to resolve complex tax issues. Read more TAS success stories.
