Know Your Taxpayer Rights

In the old days, the IRS had all the advantages in dealing with you, the taxpayer. Now your rights as a taxpayer have been substantially increased with the passing of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights in 1989. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights specifies what rights you have when dealing with the IRS. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights II, enacted in 1996, and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights III, enacted in 1998, further expanded those taxpayer rights. One of the major points of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is to inform the taxpayer of what the IRS can do, how it will affect you and what you can do to protect your rights.

Provide the tax information and the tax help you need to comply with the tax laws.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service can help you if you have tried unsuccessfully to resolve a problem with the IRS. Your local Taxpayer Advocate can offer you special help if you have a significant hardship as a result of a tax problem. For more information, call toll free 1–877–777–4778 (1–800–829–4059 for TTY/TDD) or write to the Taxpayer Advocate at the IRS office that last contacted you.

The IRS must ensure that your personal and financial information is kept confidential.

The IRS is not allowed to disclose to anyone the information you give them, except as authorized by law. That part about authorized by law is the Catch 22. Of course they can’t give the information to your mother-in-law but they can and will give it to almost any government agency that asks for it. Do you really think they would refuse an FBI agent if he asked?

When the IRS asks you for information you have the right to know why they are asking you for that information, how they will use it, and what happens if you do not provide the requested information. I know, it may seem scary asking an IRS agent “Why?”, “How?” and “What if I don’t?,” but these are your rights. It is in your best interests to use them.

The IRS must treat you in a respectful and courteous manner.

If you believe that an IRS employee has not treated you in a professional, fair, and courteous manner, you have the right to tell that employee’s supervisor.  Depending on who you are dealing with, that may not be the best idea.  Will going over this guy’s head get him in trouble?  Or will he get a cudo for upholding the traditions of the IRS?  How might he treat you the next time you deal with him?  Sure, he’ll he may act more respectfully, but will you be nailed for something on your return that could have been let go?  So, while it is your right to be treated respectfully, it could be double edged sword.

If you do choose to make a complaint and the supervisor’s response is not satisfactory, you can write to the IRS director for your area or the center where you file your return. This may be just a futile.

continued...

<< Previous    [1]  2  3  4    Next >>