Calling All Tax Reform Suggestions

Now that the 2013 filing season has concluded, we’d love to hear your suggestions for reforming the tax system. Share your ideas and suggestions with the National Taxpayer Advocate on the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) Tax Toolkit....

National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Testifying Before Congress

National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson is testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance about protecting taxpayers from incompetent and unethical tax return preparers. Tune in to watch the live testimony or read a PDF of her testimony on the Articles, Speeches and Testimony page of the Taxpayer Advocate Service's (TAS) Tax Toolkit....

TAS Tip: Tax Payment Alternatives

If you don’t pay your taxes in full and do not make payment plan arrangements with the IRS, the agency will likely take action to collect from you. If you can’t pay in full or at all, learn about your options on the Tax Collection and Payment Alternatives page of the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) Tax Toolkit....

NTA Appears on PBS Newshour

Each year, about 42 million tax returns are prepared by tax professionals who are unaccredited and unregulated by the IRS. NTA Olson discusses why she has been pushing to regulate these unenrolled tax preparers for more than a decade. Watch the PBS segment on the Recent Coverage page of the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) Tax Toolkit....

TAS Tip: Receiving an IRS Notice

Have you received a letter from the IRS? Don’t panic – the letter outlines the reason for correspondence, along with next steps you should take. Learn more about understanding your IRS notice or letter on IRS.gov or visit the Receiving an IRS Notice page of the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) Tax Toolkit. ...

Alert: Beware of Phishing Scam Mentioning TAS

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) recently learned of a new email phishing scam in which taxpayers receive emails purporting to be from TAS and bearing the TAS logo. The email contains a link to a fraudulent website that solicits personal information including names, contact information and income details. If you get one of these emails, do not click on the links, and please report it to th...

TAS Tip: Taxpayers Living Abroad

U.S. citizens working, living or doing business abroad may be subject to U.S. tax and income reporting rules. Visit the Resources for International Taxpayers page on the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) Tax Toolkit to learn about tax implications, get answers to FAQs and read about how TAS advocates for international taxpayers. ...

TAS Tip: How LITC Helps

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program has a three-prong mission to represent, educate and advocate for taxpayers, and LITCs also conduct outreach to taxpayers who speak English as a second language. If you’re experiencing a tax dispute with the IRS, such as an audit or collection matter, an LITC may be able to assist you. Learn more about LITCs by visiting the Low Income Taxpaye...

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Now Seeking Members

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is seeking volunteers in select states with the opening of its recruitment period on March 7, 2014. TAP is a Federal Advisory Committee, comprised of U.S. citizens who have volunteered to help identify taxpayer issues and recommend changes to improve IRS service. Apply by April 11, 2014, to become a member of this dynamic volunteer organization that is making...

NTA Discusses Identity Theft on NPR

NPR's David Greene sat down with National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson on March 10 to discuss the IRS's 2014 "Dirty Dozen List." It's not a list of criminals -- it's the most common tax scams affecting U.S. taxpayers, and identity theft tops the list once again. ...