Posts by snapme

TAS Tax Tip: Tax return filing is as easy as 1-2-3 This year our best advice for faster tax return processing without encountering delays is as easy as our tips below. #1 – Verify your information is accurate. Check the accuracy of everything you enter on that tax return, not just once but two or…

March Madness is back. While fans focus on brackets and buzzer-beaters, many student athletes are facing a different challenge off the court: navigating the tax consequences of compensation they receive for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Typical NIL recipients are talented young athletes who are likely tax rookies, yet can quickly…

Student loan forgiveness can offer a financial reset – but starting in 2026, there may be associated tax liabilities. Depending on when and how your loans are forgiven, you may face an unexpected tax bill. Here’s what you should know: Student loan debt cancelled after December 31, 2025, may be taxable income If your federal…

  It’s a gut punch. You finish your tax return before April 15 expecting a refund, only to discover you owe the IRS — and there’s no realistic way to pay the full amount by the deadline.   That moment can feel overwhelming. But don’t panic. You’re not alone, and you have options. The tax…

On December 22, 2025, the IRS announced proposed revisions to its Criminal Voluntary Disclosure Practice (VDP) and opened a 90-day public comment period, ending March 22, 2026. The IRS states that the proposed revisions are intended to “improve its processes” and “further incentivize non-compliant taxpayers to come into compliance.” While these revisions are a meaningful…

If you were counting on your tax refund to pay rent, cover groceries, or catch up on bills, it can be devastating to learn that your refund has been reduced, or taken entirely to pay an old debt. This happens when the IRS or the Bureau of Fiscal Service (BFS) offsets your refund to pay…

If someone files a fraudulent tax return using your name and identifying information, resolving the issue can be time-consuming and frustrating. Even when the IRS detects and stops the false return – which it is often able to do – subsequent returns filed under your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN),…

When a taxpayer requests a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing, they may want to argue that they do not owe the tax the IRS is trying to collect. Sometimes the law allows them to raise that issue, but it does not if the taxpayer has already received a notice of deficiency or otherwise had an…

Every year, as the National Taxpayer Advocate, I am required to deliver an independent assessment of tax administration. In in my 2025 Annual Report to Congress, released on January 28, 2026, I continue that tradition with new insights, recommendations, and real-world examples drawn from taxpayers’ experiences. As required by law, this report is submitted directly…

NTA Blog: The Filing Season: How to Get Assistance Preparing and filing tax returns can be stressful and confusing, especially if your financial situation has changed or you are filing for the first time. The good news is that free resources are available to help you timely and accurately meet your filing requirements. Taxpayers can receive…