TAS Advocates for Penalty Relief; Protect Your Tax Refund
When a taxpayer came to TAS for civil penalty relief assistance, the case advocate uncovered not only one, but three years’ worth of penalties. Find out how TAS convinced the IRS to correct this...
View ArticleTAS Convinces IRS to Forgive Penalties Due to IRS Error
Two years after mistakenly allowing a taxpayer to claim the 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Credit, the IRS discovered its error. The problem was further compounded when the IRS imposed a penalty on the...
View ArticleNTA on Same-Sex Marriage and Taxation
Same-sex marriage is legal in 12 states and Washington, D.C., but the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages. As a result, domestic partners and same-sex...
View ArticleNTA Releases FY2014 Objectives Report to Congress
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson’s FY2014 Objectives Report to Congress, released on June 26, 2013, identifies priority issues the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) will focus on during the...
View ArticleNational Taxpayer Advocate on C-SPAN
VIDEO: National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson recently discussed her FY2014 Objectives Report to Congress and more on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal. Watch the video or visit the Taxpayer Advocate...
View ArticleTAS Persistence Helps Taxpayer Suffering from Medical Condition Avoid Penalties
When a taxpayer with a medical condition was penalized for filing late, a TAS case advocate and the taxpayer’s psychologist teamed up to help. Learn how they worked to obtain penalty relief from the...
View ArticleResources for International Taxpayers Available
Important information and resources for U.S. taxpayers living and working abroad are now available on the Resources for International Taxpayers page of the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s (TAS) Tax Toolkit.
View ArticleTAS Helps Taxpayer Avoid Penalty
A taxpayer came to TAS seeking a partial abatement of the failure to file penalty for a late-filed return. Find out how TAS was able to help this taxpayer on the Success Stories page of the Taxpayer...
View ArticleTAS Advocates for Small Business
TAS helped a small business partnership get relief from $10,000 in penalties when it failed to file a tax return for multiple years. Read the full story about how TAS was able to help this business on...
View ArticleTAS Drives Lien Relief Efforts
A TAS case advocate pushed the IRS to discharge a taxpayer’s lien within 24 hours so the taxpayer could sell his property. Learn more about how TAS helped this man on the Success Stories page of the...
View ArticleSmall Business Health Care Tax Credit Estimator Available
TAS has a tool to help small businesses determine whether they’re eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit and, if so, estimate the amount they could receive. Visit the Small Business...
View ArticleTAS Clears Way to College by Removing Lien
Years after inheriting an insurance settlement from her mother, a young woman was denied a loan to attend college due to a federal tax lien stemming from the settlement. Several failed attempts at...
View ArticleIRS PTIN System Now Accepting 2014 Applications
The Internal Revenue Service is reminding the nation’s almost 690,000 federal tax return preparers that they must renew their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) for 2014. All current PTINs...
View ArticlePTIN Renewal Season Delay, Registered Tax Return Preparer Test Refunds, CE...
Due to the lapse in government funding, the 2014 PTIN renewal season is delayed. Current PTIN holders will be notified of the season opening via email/letter, and the current PTIN system is still...
View ArticleTAS Helps Taxpayer Attend Family Funeral
When one taxpayer submitted her passport to the IRS to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), she unexpectedly needed to return to her home country to attend her father’s funeral....
View ArticleNTA Nina Olson Named to Top 100 Most Influential People by Accounting Today
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People by Accounting Today. The list recognizes leaders and innovators in the tax and accounting industries....
View ArticleTAS Obtains Refund for ID Theft Victim
A victim of identity theft came to TAS for help in obtaining her 2010 refund, as the IRS had frozen her account due to the tax-related fraud. Visit the Success Stories page of the Taxpayer Advocate...
View ArticleNew Virtual Tax Help Option For Taxpayers
Getting tax help is made easier with a new video conferencing option, particularly for those who don’t live near a Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) office. Visit the Virtual Tax Help page of the TAS...
View ArticleNTA Honored for Support of Americans with Disabilities
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson recently received the National Disability Institute's Ron Smith Federal Employee Award for her continued advocacy on behalf of taxpayers with disabilities....
View ArticleTAS Helps Restore Collection Agreement
A taxpayer came to TAS for help with a defaulted offer in compromise (OIC), an IRS program that allows taxpayers to settle debts for less than the full amount owed. However, while this offer was in...
View ArticleNTA Releases 2013 Annual Report to Congress
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson today released her 2013 Annual Report to Congress. The report identifies the most serious problems facing taxpayers today and provides recommendations to fix...
View ArticleMake Sure You’re Informed About the Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit that helps individuals keep more of what they earn throughout the year. It is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income...
View ArticleIRS2GO App Enhancements
The IRS released a new version of the IRS2GO mobile application. Check your refund status, request your tax records and find a free volunteer tax preparation site all from your smartphone.
View Article2014 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums
Each year, TAS participates in the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals. Dates and details regarding the 2014 IRS Nationwide...
View ArticleChoosing a Tax Preparer Video and Systemic Advocacy Information Added to Tax...
A video from National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson with tips for choosing a tax preparer has been added to the home page of the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Tax Toolkit. In addition, part of TAS’s...
View ArticleNTA Discusses IRS and Tax Issues on NPR's On Point
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson will be a guest on NPR's On Point program this morning at 10 a.m. ET. Olson will join at approximately 10:20 a.m. to discuss IRS and tax-related issues. Tune in...
View ArticleTAS Tip: Cancellation of Debt, New 2013 Top Case Issues
If you’ve lost your home to foreclosure, had credit card balances written off or your car repossessed, you need to know about the tax consequences of cancellation of debt income. Use Form 982 to...
View ArticleNational Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson Testifies Before Congress
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson is testifying before the House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government today, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. ET. Watch her testimony live or read a PDF of...
View ArticleKiplinger Interview with NTA Nina Olson
In a recent interview with Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson discussed how IRS underfunding has resulted in little assistance for taxpayers this filing season....
View ArticleChanges to the SBHCTC in 2014
Beginning in tax year 2014, there are noteworthy changes to the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit available to select small businesses and tax-exempt organizations. Visit the Small Business Health...
View ArticleTAS Tip: When to Come to TAS
If you’ve been working with the IRS and are facing financial difficulties, an immediate threat of adverse action or a lack of response from the IRS, TAS may be able to help you. Visit the Who We Are...
View ArticleLITC Program Report
The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Program, administered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), has issued a 2014 Program Report. The report summarizes how clinics assist thousands of low income...
View ArticleNTA 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...
View ArticleTaxpayer 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...
View ArticleTAS 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...
View ArticleTAS 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...
View ArticleAlert: 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...
View ArticleTAS 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...
View ArticleNTA 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...
View ArticleTAS 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...
View ArticleNational 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...
View ArticleCalling 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...
View ArticleTaxpayer Advocate Service Seminars at IRS Nationwide Tax Forums
TAS seminars at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums enable professionals to get the latest information on important, pressing tax issues. This year, TAS's seminars focus on how professionals can advocate...
View ArticleNational Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Submits Testimony on Impact of IRS Budget Cuts
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson today submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate about how repeated IRS budget cuts have diminished the agency’s ability to provide basic taxpayer...
View ArticleNational Taxpayer Advocate expresses concerns to Congress about the IRS using...
In a recent letter to Congress, National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson expresses concerns about private debt collection and offers her perspective on the private debt collection (PDC) program...
View ArticleLow Income Taxpayer Clinic Grant Application Period Open
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) provide representation, education and advocacy on behalf of taxpayers with limited or low income as well as taxpayers who speak English as a second language. TAS is...
View ArticleIRS Adopts Taxpayer Bill of Rights
The IRS has adopted a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, as proposed by the National Taxpayer Advocate, to make taxpayer rights clear, understandable and accessible for the taxpayer. Learn more about these...
View ArticleNTA Releases Objectives Report to Congress
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson's FY 2015 Objectives Report to Congress, released July 16, 2014, identifies key issues, goals and activities TAS will focus on during the upcoming fiscal...
View ArticleNTA Named to Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina Olson was named one of the 2014 Top 100 Most Influential People in Tax and Accounting by Accounting Today. The NTA is recognized for her ongoing quest to make the...
View ArticlePrepare Yourself: Scam Phone Calls
As incidents of an aggressive telephone scam continue across the country, the IRS warns taxpayers not to be fooled by imposters posing as tax agency representatives. To ensure you’re prepared, please...
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