Source: IRS
All taxpayers should know their rights, especially when they’re working with the IRS on a tax matter. IRS employees should also be familiar with knowing, observing, and protecting taxpayers’ rights. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights lists and defines 10 fundamental rights of every taxpayer. On this list is the Right to Quality Service. Let’s take a closer look at the Right to Quality Service and what it means for taxpayers.
Taxpayers have the right to:
- Receive prompt, courteous, and professional assistance from the IRS.
- Be spoken to in a way they can easily understand.
- Receive clear and easily understandable communications from the IRS.
- Speak to a supervisor about inadequate service.
Here are some things taxpayers can expect when working with the IRS:
- IRS representatives will listen objectively. They will consider all relevant information prior to giving the taxpayer an answer.
- IRS representatives will answer questions promptly, accurately and thoroughly, and will give the taxpayer information on recourse and applicable appeal rights.
- When collecting tax, IRS representatives will treat people with courtesy.
- When contacting taxpayers, the IRS usually only contacts taxpayers between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- IRS representatives won’t contact the taxpayer’s employer if they know the employer doesn’t allow such contact.
- IRS representatives won’t make aggressive phone calls that threaten arrest or prison time.
- IRS representatives must provide the taxpayer with information about how to get help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service in all statutory notices of deficiency.
- If someone is eligible for assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, the IRS will provide information about options for legal help.
Taxpayers can find answers to most tax questions on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can also contact the IRS directly by calling the number on the top right corner of all notices and letters.
End of IRS Publication
Zaher Fallahi, Tax Controversy Defense Attorney, Tax CPA, assists taxpayers nationwide with their tax preparation, cryptocurrency tax, foreign gifts, undisclosed foreign bank accounts, and other international tax matters. Tel.: (310) 719-1040, (714) 546-4272 and (877) 687-7558 toll free nationwide. Websites: zflegal.com and zfcpa.com E-mail taxattorney@zfcpa.com