Feature Articles: Taxes
Taxpayer Rights Are a Priority for IRS
Reviewed and used with special permission from the IRS by: Brenda Procter, M.S., State Specialist & Instructor Personal Financial Planning, University of Missouri Extension
The law requires the IRS to protect taxpayer rights, and
in its day-to-day operations, the IRS and its employees
make taxpayer rights a top priority. This includes
explaining those rights to taxpayers, keeping taxpayer
information private and confidential and being
professional and courteous.
Besides what is expected of IRS employees, taxpayers have many other
rights. They have the right to have someone represent
them before the IRS and to accompany them to any meeting
with IRS employees. When there is a disagreement, they
have the right to request that the independent IRS
Appeals office review the case. Taxpayers who still
disagree can put their case before the court system.
Taxpayers who have been unsuccessful in resolving issues with the IRS
through normal channels have the right to contact the
Taxpayer Advocate by calling, toll free, 1-877-777-4778.
The Taxpayer Advocate can offer special help if an IRS
action is causing the taxpayer significant hardship.
To let taxpayers know about their rights, the IRS produces Publication
1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer. The Spanish-language
version is Publication 1SP, Derechos del Contribuyente
(Your Rights as a Taxpayer). These publications, which
highlight taxpayer rights and related IRS programs, are
available on the IRS Web site at
www.irs.gov or by
calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Information on
the Taxpayer Advocate Service is also available on the
Web site.
Source: IRS TAX TIP 2004-02
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Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
