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December 19, 2023

Payoff Perfection

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A taxpayer entered into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement (DDIA) to pay her federal tax liability. She made her final payment outside of the DDIA process because the regularly scheduled payment would have overpaid the remaining amount owed and she was concerned that the overpayment may not be refunded quickly. She also worried her refund on a recently filed federal tax return would be delayed.

 

 
December 4, 2023

Making the Flight

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A power of attorney (POA) called TAS for help resolving a client’s balance due. The POA had submitted documents to the IRS showing that the taxpayer did not owe taxes for the sale of a house. The documents were not accepted, and the IRS adjusted the taxpayer’s account, creating a large balance due.

 

 
November 3, 2023

TAS Untangles Complex Refund Issue

A taxpayer came to TAS after her bank returned her refund to the IRS via a cashier’s check because the bank account number on her tax return was off by one digit. Although the taxpayer provided a copy of the cashier’s check showing the full refund had been returned, the IRS would only issue a replacement refund for $20.

 

 
October 10, 2023

Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Partners With TAS to Advocate for Offer in Compromise Acceptance

Since 1998, Congress has authorized funding for Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) to provide free or low-cost legal representation and tax assistance to low-income taxpayers. TAS partners with LITCs throughout the country. We are happy to share one recent example of the effective partnerships between TAS and LITCs. 

 

 
September 21, 2023

TAS helps in conservatorship refund case

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A distraught taxpayer contacted TAS for help because her mother had been in a conservatorship with a stranger. The taxpayer and her mother were unaware that the conservator had been court-appointed. 
 
September 1, 2023

TAS ensures statutes are appropriately enforced

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

When a taxpayer does not file a required tax return, the IRS has the option of preparing the return on their behalf, which is commonly called a Substitute for Return (SFR).
August 3, 2023

National Taxpayer Advocate Joins Treasury Secretary and IRS Commissioner for Launch of Paperless Processing Initiative

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins joined Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel at the IRS facility in McLean, Virginia, to discuss modernizing IRS technology and the launch of a paperless processing initiative.

July 20, 2023

TAS Advocates for Bank Levy Release

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A taxpayer contacted the IRS to resolve a balance due that exceeded $150,000, which required the taxpayer establish a short-term payment plan. However, the IRS assistor didn’t finalize the agreement on the taxpayer’s account, resulting in the taxpayer’s bank account being levied with over $20,000 being attached.
May 31, 2023

Persistence Pays Off in Audit Dispute

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A taxpayer contacted TAS for assistance when their tax return was selected for audit and they were unable to resolve the audit through regular channels. TAS advocated for the taxpayer by providing a signed statement from their landlord that included the names of the taxpayer and their dependents, the start date of the lease, and the landlord’s contact information.
May 1, 2023

TAS officially closes the San Jose, CA office effective April 30

Taxpayers and congressional offices in the San Jose geographic area now serviced out of the Oakland, CA office.

April 14, 2023

Listen Now: National Taxpayer Advocate Provides Update on IRS’s Backlog, New Strategic Operating Plan, and the State of Tax Administration

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins joins the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Town Hall Series to discuss pressing issues facing the accounting industry.

March 29, 2023

Taxpayer Advocate Service Helps CPA Resolve Taxpayer’s Identity Theft Issue

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) representing a taxpayer contacted TAS for assistance. His client was extremely frustrated with trying to work with the IRS to resolve an issue with the processing of two of her tax returns.
January 26, 2023

TAS facilitates an acceptance of a taxpayer’s offer in compromise

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

A taxpayer filed an offer in compromise (OIC) because they were unable to pay their IRS debts. They included the required processing fee, which the IRS applied to the outstanding balance, and the application fee. The OIC was rejected, but the payment was not returned.
December 14, 2022

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins named one of the Most Influential People in Accounting for 2022

In addition, filers of tax year 2019 information returns (other than IIRs) filed on or before August 3, 2020, will have any portion of an information return penalty that is the result of late filing abated. Information reporting penalties assessed for reasons other than lateness, such as incorrect information or non-compliance with e-file requirements, will not be waived. For tax year 2020 information returns (other than IIRs), the same relief applies to returns filed on or before August 2, 2021.

 

November 23, 2022

TAS Resolves A Tale of Two Investment Claims

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This success story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues.

October 17, 2022

Feel like you are not responsible for a debt owed by your spouse or ex-spouse?

If you file jointly and your spouse has a debt (this can be a federal, state income tax, child support, or spousal support debt) the IRS can apply your refund to one of these debts, which is known as an “offset.”