If you have tried everything to resolve a tax problem with the IRS and are still experiencing delays or are facing an economic burden or hardship due to IRS actions, you may qualify for the assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service. In situations where IRS actions are preventing you from providing for basic necessities such as housing, transportation or food; or if you own a business and are unable to meet basic expenses such as payroll, you may request the assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service. A delay of more than 30 days to resolve a tax related problem or no response by the date promised may also qualify you for assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

While Taxpayer Advocate cannot change the law or make a technical tax decision, they can clear up problems that resulted from previous contacts and ensure that your cases are given a complete and impartial review.

You may gain quick access to the Taxpayer Advocate Service by calling their toll–free number 1–877–777–4778, TTY/TTD 1–800–829–4059. You can call or write to your local Taxpayer Advocate, whose address and phone number is listed in your local telephone directory and in Publication 1546(PDF). If you write, please be sure to include your social security or employer ID number, your return address and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day. Include with your letter copies of any correspondence you have received from the IRS.

To learn more about the Taxpayer Advocate Service, see www.irs.gov/advocate.