You can get help with unresolved tax issues, order free publications and forms, ask tax questions, and get information from the IRS in several ways. By selecting the method that is best for you, you will have quick and easy access to tax help.
Contacting your Taxpayer Advocate
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS whose employees assist taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm, who are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, or who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should. Here are seven things the IRS says that every taxpayer should know about TAS:
TAS is your voice at the IRS.
Our service is free, confiden¬tial, and tailored to meet your needs.
You may be eligible for TAS help if you have tried to re¬solve your tax problem through normal IRS channels and have gotten nowhere, or you believe an IRS procedure just isn't working as it should.
TAS helps taxpayers whose problems are causing finan¬cial difficulty or significant cost, including the cost of pro¬fessional representation. This includes businesses as well as individuals.
• TAS employees know the IRS and how to navigate it. We will listen to your problem, help you understand what needs to be done to resolve it, and stay with you every step of the way until your problem is resolved.
TAS has at least one local taxpayer advocate in every state, the District of Colum¬bia, and Puerto Rico. You can call your local advocate, whose number is in your phone book, in Pub. 1546, Taxpayer Advocate Serv¬ice—Your Voice at the IRS, and on our website at www. irs.gov/advocate. You can also call our toll-free line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD
1-800-829-4059.
You can learn about your rights and responsibilities as a taxpayer by visiting our on¬line tax toolkit at www.taxtool-kit.irs.gov.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs)
The Low Income Tax¬payer Clinic program serves indi-viduals who have a problem with the IRS and whose income is below a certain level. LITCs are indepen¬dent from the IRS. Most LITCs can provide representation before the IRS or in court on audits, tax collec¬tion disputes, and other issues for free or a small fee. If an individual's native language is not English, some clinics can provide multil¬ingual information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities. For more information, see Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. This publication is available at www.irs.gov, by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676), or at your local IRS office.
Free tax services
To find out what services are available, get Publication 910, IRS Guide to Free Tax Services. It contains lists of free tax information sources, in¬cluding publications, services, and free tax education and assistance programs. It also has an index of over 100 TeleTax topics (recorded tax information) you can listen to on your telephone. Accessible versions of IRS pub-lished products are available on re-quest in a variety of alternative formats for people with disabilities.
Free help with your return
Free help in preparing your return is available nationwide from IRS-trained volunteers. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is designed to help low-income taxpayers and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program is designed to assist tax-payers age 60 and older with their tax returns. Many VITA sites offer free electronic filing and all volunteers will let you know about credits and deductions you may be entitled to claim. To find the nearest VITA
or TCE site, call 1-800-829-1040.
As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program. To find the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit AARP's website at
www.aarp.org/money/taxaide.
Download forms, instructions, and publications.
Order IRS products online.
Research your tax questions online.
Search publications online by topic or keyword.
Use the online Internal Reve¬nue Code, Regulations, or other official guidance.
View Internal Revenue Bulle¬tins (IRBs) published in the last few years.
Figure your withholding al¬lowances using the withhold¬ing calculator online at www. irs.gov/individuals.
Determine if Form 6251 must be filed by using our Alterna¬tive Minimum Tax (AMT) As¬sistant.
Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.
Get information on starting and operating a small business.
Walk-in
Many products and services are available on a walk-in basis. You can walk in to your local Taxpayer Assis¬tance Center every business day for personal, face-to-face tax help. An employee can explain IRS letters, request adjustments to your tax account, or help you set up a payment plan.
FileLater provides a secure online solution for individuals and businesses seeking to e-file an IRS income tax extension. FileLater is an authorized IRS e-file