Taxpayer Advocate Service: Helping taxpayers navigate their IRS issues or concerns

IRS Tax Tip 2021-165, November 8, 2021

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights.

They can offer help when tax problems cause a financial difficulty. When the taxpayer has tried and been unable to resolve their issue with the IRS, or a taxpayer believes an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If taxpayers qualify for assistance, which is always free, TAS will do everything possible to help them.

TAS may be able to help taxpayers if they:

are experiencing financial hardship
have experienced a delay of more than 30 days to resolve a tax account problem
have not received a response or resolution to the problem or inquiry by the date promised by the IRS

Taxpayers can also find out if TAS can help them with their tax issue using the TAS Qualifier Tool.

TAS help is free, confidential and tailored to meet each business or individual taxpayer’s needs. There is at least one Local Taxpayer Advocate in each state, as well as in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Advocates are independent of the local IRS office and report directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate. They know the tax system and how to navigate it. Qualified taxpayers will receive personalized service from a knowledgeable advocate.

Here are resources from TAS to help taxpayers get the answers they need:

For more information or to get help for a specific issue, taxpayers can visit the Taxpayer Advocate Service page of IRS.gov, visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 877-777-4778.