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NTA Blog: 25 Years of Making a Difference: Celebrate and Join the LITC Movement! This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) grant program. Since 1999, LITCs have been changing lives, leveling the playing field, and standing up for low-income and English as a second language (ESL) taxpayers…

For the third consecutive year, Erin M. Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, has been recognized by Accounting Today as one of the 100 Most Influential People shaping the future of the accounting profession. This prestigious list honors trailblazing leaders who are driving progress whether by leveraging emerging technologies or empowering the people who will define…

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…