You Have Rights!

In 2014, the Internal Revenue Service adopted a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR) that has become a cornerstone document to provide the nation's taxpayers a better understanding of their fundamental rights when dealing with the agency.

The TBOR takes the multiple existing rights embedded in the tax code and groups them into 10 categories, making them easier to find, understand and use.

It includes The Right to Be Informed. Taxpayers have the right to know what they need to do to comply with the tax laws. They are entitled to clear explanations of the laws and IRS procedures in all tax forms, instructions, publications, notices and correspondence. They have the right to be informed of IRS decisions about their tax accounts and to receive clear explanations of the outcomes.

What you can expect:

  • Certain notices must include the amount (if any) of the tax, interest, and certain penalties you owe and must explain why you owe these amounts.

 

  • When the IRS fully or partially disallows your claim for refund, it must explain the specific reasons why.

 

  • Help with Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter is available online at IRS.gov.

 

  • If the IRS proposes to assess tax against you, it must provide you in its initial letter, which allows for review by an independent Office of Appeals, an explanation of the entire process from examination (audit) through collection, and explain that the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to assist you.

 

  • If you enter into a payment plan, known as an installment agreement, the IRS must send you an annual statement that provides how much you owe at the beginning of the year, how much you paid during the year, and how much you still owe at the end of the year.

 

  • You can access current and prior year IRS forms and publications at IRS.gov or have hard copies mailed by calling toll-free 800-829-3676.

 

  • IRS also uses several social media tools that provide helpful tax information to a broad audience, including Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr and the IRS2Go free mobile app.

If you have any questions, it is recommended that you consult a credible, licensed tax professional.

 

Source: To read the entire article, visit: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-bill-of-rights-the-right-to-be-informed-2016