Taxpayer Advocate Service At-a-Glance
Mission
As an independent organization within the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service helps taxpayers resolve problems and recommends changes that will prevent the problems.
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 622-6100
Fax: (202) 622-7854
Management Team
Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate
Matt Weir, Deputy National Taxpayer Advocate
Local Taxpayer Advocate Service Offices
There is at least one in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and at every IRS campus.
What Is The Taxpayer Advocate Service?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is your voice at the IRS. Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights.
What Can TAS Do For You?
We can offer you free help with IRS problems that you can’t resolve on your own. We know this process can be confusing, but the worst thing you can do is nothing at all! TAS can help if you can’t resolve your tax problem 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’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 our help, you'll be assigned to one advocate who’ll be with you at every turn and will do everything possible to resolve your problem.
- TAS is an independent organization within the IRS. Our advocates know how to work with the IRS to get your problems resolved.
- Our services are free and tailored to meet your needs.
- We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
- Our tax toolkit at www.TaxpayerAdvocate.irs.gov can help you understand your rights, which the IRS must abide by in dealing with you.
How Can You Reach Us?
If you think TAS can help you, call your local advocate, whose number is in your phone book and on our website at www.irs.gov/advocate. You can also call us toll-free at 1-877-777-4778.
How Else Does TAS Help Taxpayers?
TAS also works to resolve large-scale, systemic problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, please report it to us through our Systemic Advocacy Management System at www.irs.gov/sams.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS. Some serve individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve a tax problem. These clinics provide professional representation before the IRS or in court on audits, appeals, tax collection disputes, and other issues for free or for a small fee. Some clinics provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in many different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. To get more information or find a clinic near you, check the LITC page at www.irs.gov/uac/Low-Income-Taxpayer-Clinics or IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. You can also get this publication at your local IRS office or by calling 1-800-829-3676.
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
Taxpayers have an opportunity to provide direct input to the IRS through the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP). The TAP is an independent panel of citizen volunteers who listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues, and make suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. Contact TAP at www.improveirs.org.
