Taxpayer Advocate Service (2024)

FAQs

Where can I get answers to IRS questions? ›

Call the IRS toll free at 800-829-1040 or make an appointment to visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC).

The first step is to go through normal IRS channels and try to get resolution. But if you're running up against a time limit or nothing is getting resolved after many tries, it is probably time to contact the TAS. The TAS does work.

It said in a staff report last year that the IRS had cut customer service and devoted large sums to implementing President Barack Obama's health care law. The report said the agency shifted too many customer service workers to answering correspondence instead of answering phones.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send a notice or a letter for any number of reasons. It may be about a specific issue on your federal tax return or account, or may tell you about changes to your account, ask you for more information, or request a payment.

At a Glance: To contact an IRS agent directly, follow these steps: 1) Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 between 7 AM and 7 PM, Monday to Friday; 2) Choose your preferred language; 3) Select options 2, 1, 3, 2, and 4 in the automated menu; 4) Provide your Social Security number when prompted; 5) Choose options 2 and 4 to ...

Yes. Free help is available when you file taxes online with us. H&R Block provides online product support for a broad range of topics, including: Answers to tax questions.

Advocates often respond within a few days. In the initial call, the advocate will set up a time frame for when he or she will follow up on the investigation of the client's request. To protect the client, verify that the time frame is manageable given the client's specific needs.

The IRS claims that nearly half of all requests for help from the Taxpayer Advocate's Service are resolved satisfactorily to the taxpayer, in under five days. Complex problems take ten to 30 days—still good by normal IRS standards! The Taxpayer Advocate Service was formerly called the Problems Resolution Program.

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.

Call 1-800-829-1040, 7 AM - 7 PM ET Monday through Friday local time to speak to a representative about an individual tax return.

How to speak directly to an IRS agent and skip the automated? ›

IRS Customer Service, Online Live Chat

In March of 2022, the IRS implemented chatbots and live agents to give a quick, online means to contact an IRS representative with simple questions.

Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible IDT should receive one of the following letters: Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing with Online Option – Provides online and phone options and is issued most widely.

If you're facing serious financial difficulties and need your refund immediately contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778.

Our History. Congress created the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) to help individual and business taxpayers resolve problems that haven't been resolved through normal IRS channels. We also address large-scale, systemic issues that affect groups of taxpayers.

IRS Customer Service, Online Live Chat

The automated responses can also answer questions before connecting to a real person. The IRS live chat feature can be found on many of their pages by clicking the "Start a conversation" button at the bottom of a limited number of IRS web pages.

Yes, everyone must answer the digital asset question – even if the answer is no. The IRS makes clear that unlike in previous years, for tax year 2022, everyone who files Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or Form 1040-NR must check one box, answering either "Yes" or "No" to the digital asset question.

Taxpayers receiving these notices can respond securely to IRS online, regardless of whether they have an IRS Online Account.