TAS TAX TIP: Choosing the correct filing status for your tax return

Sometimes we see confusion about which filing status people should choose when filing their tax return. Did you know IRS.gov has an online application to help you decide? They do, it’s called What Is My Filing Status?What You'll Need to Determine Your Filing StatusTo use the What Is My Filing Status? tool, you will need to know:• Marital status and spouse's year of death (if app...

NTA Blog: The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is now recruiting volunteers

Subscribe to the NTA’s Blog and receive updates on the latest blog posts from Acting National Taxpayer Advocate Bridget T. Roberts. Additional blogs can be found at www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/blog. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is your voice at the IRS. We take this statement seriously, as demonstrated by the work we do to help taxpayers resolve their tax problems. We do more th...

Success Story: Taxpayer requests TAS assistance in challenging IRS audit disallowing EITC claim for her disabled child

Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues. All personal details are removed to protect the privacy of the taxpayer. TAS advocated for a taxpayer who was audited by the IRS for two consecutive tax years. For numerous years, the taxpayer claimed Head of Household fili...

TAS Tax Tip: IRS 2019 Form 1040 changes for this tax filing season

Taxpayers and tax return preparers should be aware that the Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, changed again this year. Before you file a return, take a look at these filing-related resources and information to help you avoid errors and processing delays. Revised 2019 Form 1040 Last year there were six new numbered schedule forms to go with Form 1040; for this year there are three. F...

Acting National Taxpayer Advocate Bridget Roberts talks taxes with Federal News Radio

Acting National Taxpayer Advocate Bridget Roberts talks taxes with Federal News Radio host Tom Temin. Roberts discusses IRS challenges and top issues impacting taxpayers. “Everyday we are working to partner more and more with the IRS to try and come up with new and innovative ways to look at issues and solve problems before they impact taxpayers," says Roberts. The number one issue she sh...

NTA Blog: Local Taxpayer Advocates Deliver Key NTA Annual Report Messages to Members of Congress

Subscribe to the NTA’s Blog and receive updates on the latest blog posts from Acting National Taxpayer Advocate Bridget T. Roberts. Additional blogs can be found at www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/blog. This week, TAS’s Local Taxpayer Advocates (LTAs) are in Washington, D.C., presenting the National Taxpayer Advocate’s 2019 annual report to Senators and House Members whose loca...

Sharing Economy Tax Information

Many taxpayers work or engage in services that are considered to be a part of the gig or shared economy services. These services often originate through peer-to-peer interactions such as ride-share programs, room rentals, and other freelance work. Following the May 2016 hearing, Taxpayer Advocate Service worked with the IRS to create the information contained on the pages listed below to help y...

TAS assistance offered at local Problem Solving Days

  The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) will conduct Problem Solving Day events in communities throughout the country in the coming months and year. During these events, TAS employees from a local office will be available to assist taxpayers in person with tax problems they have not been able to resolve with the IRS. Generally, TAS can assist taxpayers whose problems with the IRS are causin...

TAS Tax Tip: How to Confirm the Identity of a Field Revenue Officer If They Come Knocking at Your Door

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has begun conducting face-to-face meetings with individual and business taxpayers as a part of a special compliance effort entitled Revenue Officer Compliance Sweep (ROCS). This is an extremely high priority effort where IRS field revenue officers (RO’s) will be working to resolve compliance issues, including missing tax returns and taxes owed, with a s...

TAS Tax Tip: Federal tax return filing options and help

Tax return filing season for federal taxes is almost here. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) has information to help you find tax return filing options and help. Options for Filing a Tax Return Each year, most people who work are required to file a federal income tax return. If you must file, you have two options: Filing a paper tax return, or Filing an electronic tax return (often called el...