Topic no. 104, Taxpayer Advocate Service – Your voice at the IRS

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is your voice at the IRS. As an independent organization within the IRS, TAS strives to ensure that you're treated fairly and that you know, understand, and receive your rights. TAS can help you if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn't working as it should. And the service is free. We know dealing with the IRS can be confusing, but the worst thing you can do is nothing at all!

TAS can help if you can't resolve your problem with the IRS, and:

  • Your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family, or your business,
  • You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action,
  • You (or your business) will suffer irreparable injury or long-term adverse impact, or
  • You've tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded, or the IRS hasn't responded by the date promised.

If you qualify for TAS’s help, you'll be assigned to one advocate who'll be with you at every turn and do everything possible to resolve your problem. Use the TAS Qualifier Tool to see if TAS can possibly assist with a resolution to your tax issue.

In June 2014, the IRS adopted a Taxpayer Bill of Rights that lists rights that already existed in the tax code, putting them in simple language and grouping them into ten fundamental rights that you and every taxpayer have when dealing with the IRS. In December 2015, Congress specified that IRS employees are responsible for being familiar with and acting in accord with taxpayer rights. Refer to IRC § 7803(a)(3). Taxpayer Advocate Service can help you understand what the Taxpayer Bill of Rights mean for you and how these rights apply in your interactions with the IRS.

TAS has at least one office in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. If you need TAS's help and qualify, download Form 911PDF, call your Local Taxpayer Advocate, or call us toll-free at 877-777-4778.

TAS also handles large-scale or systemic problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, please report it to TAS through the Systemic Advocacy Management System. Be sure to not include any personal taxpayer information such as a taxpayer identification number.