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TAS Website Article – Proposed publishing date, Monday, December 9   The Taxpayer Advocate Service’s Laguna Niguel Office Moves to a New Location On December 9, the Laguna Niguel, California, Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) office moved to a new location and got a new name. The Lake Forest office, led by Local Taxpayer Advocate Miranda…

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Unscrupulous promoters are aggressively advertising on social media telling taxpayers that they are entitled to free money from the IRS. The IRS has received thousands of claims where it appears taxpayers are claiming credits for which they are not eligible, leading to significant…

Like many of you, I am looking forward to spending time this holiday season surrounded by family and loved ones. Our to-do lists are long and there is important work to get done, but I hope that all of you get a chance to be present, put away your cell phones, and give thanks for…

Report Tax Issues That Affect Multiple Taxpayers Using TAS’s Systemic Advocacy Management System The mission of the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) covers what I often refer to as three pillars of service: Protecting taxpayer rights; Helping taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS; and Recommending and advocating for changes that will prevent future problems. Essentially, everything…

TAS Tax Tip: Federal tax filing information and tips to help you avoid common errors    Tax Filing Resources  The IRS will generally opens the filing season at the end of January. For updated dates view Filing Season Resources.     ALERT: if you submit your tax return prior to theis opening date, it will…

A taxpayer who became disabled after working as a first responder contacted TAS for help after the IRS denied the taxpayer’s claim for refund. The taxpayer had filed Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to properly report their pension income as non-taxable. Upon receipt of the taxpayer’s inquiry, TAS asked the IRS to…

All Paid Return Preparers Must Have a Preparer Tax Identification Number A Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) generally is required for anyone who is paid to prepare or help to prepare all, or substantially all, of a federal tax return, claim for refund, or other tax form submitted to the IRS, unless specifically excepted. In…

Proposed regulations permitting the IRS to shorten third-party notice requirements in certain circumstances erode important taxpayer protections and could result in a taxpayers bearing the consequences for IRS-caused delays. Background The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98) instituted major reforms to IRS tax administration. RRA 98 included new provisions providing added taxpayer…

Newly Designed Taxpayer Roadmap Pages Ahead of Filing Season Ahead of filing season, TAS introduces a new design for some Taxpayer Roadmap pages               Getting ready for filing season? Check out the TAS redesigned taxpayer notice pages (or stops) to help you navigate your taxes. The new design makes it easier for you to find…

Preparing your taxes doesn’t have to be scary, but this spooky season I would like to share an example of how things can go frightfully wrong. Imagine this terrifying scenario: Someone offers to prepare your tax return, promising a big refund. All you have to do is take their word for it and look the…