Help from the
Taxpayer Advocate Service.
Years ago my younger brother Matt was having a
problem at the school bus stop. A much larger kid was harassing him each morning
and Matt was struggling to deal with him.
Matt wouldn't have been able to beat him in a fight, and reasoning with the
larger kid wasn't getting Matt anywhere. Matt decided to call for help. The next
day I went to the bus stop with Matt. Now there was two of us instead of one.
Together we helped the larger kid understand that it would be better to leave
Matt alone from now on. He got the message and the problem was solved.
Much like that day at the bus stop sometimes adults need back up against a much
larger oppressor. The
IRS can sometimes look that way, especially
if they are not agreeing with you or seem to be insistent on your compliance in
a matter you don't agree with.
Today, the
Taxpayer Advocate Service is your backup. While they work within
the IRS they are independent of the IRS and their mission is to help those in
need when they haven't received an acceptable solution through the normal
channels offered by the IRS.
If you are struggling with an issue with the IRS you can get the Taxpayer
Advocate Service involved. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is free, and they can
help you with the cost of professional representation. They can also help you
determine if your rights as a taxpayer have been compromised. There is a Tax
Advocate Service in every state, including the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico. You can visit their website
here.
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