Don't Mess With Taxes

Have a problem with the Internal Revenue Service that you just can't solve? 

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) might be able to help. And for some folks, that help will be in person.

Generally, TAS can assist taxpayers — at no cost — if:

• Your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family or your business.
• You or your business are 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.
• You believe an IRS system or procedure isn't working as it should.

Note, TAS doesn't help with routine filing matters. If you're having issues here, contact the IRS help line or website. Or find a tax pro to help with your situation.

If, however, your issues with the IRS continue to where they produce a financial threat to you or your business, contact TAS. The main office can be reached toll-fee at 877-777-4778, but sometimes face-to-face help is more reassuring.

If you live near a local TAS branch, reach out to that office.

Even if you don't live near a local office, TAS still might be able to help in a more personal way through its Problem Solving Day events.

Problem Solving Days through 2017: These TAS events are scheduled in communities throughout the country throughout the rest of 2017. 

Some of these TAS help days are in cities where it has offices. Others, however, are in locations where there is not a handy TAS branch. 

At these events, TAS employees from a local office will be available to assist taxpayers and tax professionals who have power of attorney (Form 2848) on file for each case.

The upcoming Problem Solving Days are:

• Chesapeake, Virginia on September 20, 2017
• Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 20, 2017
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota on September 22, 2017
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 23, 2017
• East Syracuse, New York on September 23, 2017
• Manhattan, New York morning session on September 26, 2017
• Manhattan, New York afternoon session on September 26, 2017
• Brooklyn, New York  on September 27, 2017
• Bronx, New York on September 28, 2017
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 28, 2017
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 28, 2017
• Northport, New York on September 29, 2017
• Edwardsville, Illinois on September 29, 2017
• Detroit, Michigan on October 4, 2017
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 6, 2017
• Marion, Indiana on October 6, 2017
• Boston, Massachusetts on October 17, 2017
• Binghamton, New York on October 19, 2017
• Portland, Oregon on October 23, 2017
• Lebanon, Indiana on October 23, 2017
• Aurora, Colorado on October 26, 2017
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 26, 2017
• Hoover, Alabama on November 7-8, 2017
• Lake Placid, New York on December 5, 2017

The links above open to PDF documents with details on the Problem Solving Day at that location.

Beyond Problem Solving Day: If you can't make the Problem Solving Day near you or there isn't one near you this year, don't let that dissuade you from getting TAS help. Reach out to your nearest local office.

And about those local offices, some in places recently pummeled by hurricanes are experiencing some issues.

The TAS branch in St. Petersburg, Florida, currently is closed because of the effects of Hurricane Irma. 

Houston TAS offices are open for business, but the folks there ask for your patience as they work to return fully to their offices.

Remember, too, that the IRS has provided a variety of relief to those in Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma major disaster zones.

You also might find these items of interest:

• IRS budget cuts harm taxpayer services, says National Taxpayer Advocate
• National Taxpayer Advocate wants Congress involved in IRS Future State planning
• Private bill collectors' actions top National Taxpayer Advocate's list of 13 taxpayer concerns