Publication 583
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP27fbdab9This section describes the help the IRS and other federal agencies
offer to taxpayers who operate their own businesses.
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP284fee37You can get help with unresolved tax issues, order free publications
and forms, ask tax questions, and get more information from the IRS in several
ways. By selecting the method that is best for you, you will have quick and easy
access to tax help.
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP3488b963The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization
within the IRS whose employees assist taxpayers who are experiencing economic
harm, who are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved
through normal channels, or who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not
working as it should.
You can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service by calling toll-free
1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TTD 1-800-829-4059 to see if you are eligible for
assistance. You can also call or write to your local taxpayer advocate, whose
phone number and address are listed in your local telephone directory and in
Publication 1546, The Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS - How To Get Help
With Unresolved Tax Problems. You can file Form 911, Application for Taxpayer
Assistance Order, or ask an IRS employee to complete it on your behalf. For more
information, visit
www.irs.gov/advocate.
LITCs are independent organizations that provide low income taxpayers
with representation in federal tax controversies with the IRS for free or for a
nominal charge. The clinics also provide tax education and outreach for
taxpayers with limited English proficiency or who speak English as a second
language. Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, provides
information on clinics in your area. It is available at
www.irs.gov or at your local IRS office.
Small business workshops are designed to help the small business
owner understand and fulfill their federal tax responsibilities. Workshops are
sponsored and presented by IRS partners who are federal tax specialists.
Workshop topics vary from a general overview of taxes to more specific topics
such as recordkeeping and retirement plans. Although most are free, some
workshops have fees associated with them. Any fees charged for a workshop are
paid to the sponsoring organization, not the IRS.
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP7bb35fe2To find out what services are available, get Publication 910,
IRS Guide to Free Tax Services. It contains a list of free tax publications and
describes other free tax information services, including tax education and
assistance programs and a list of TeleTax topics.
 | Internet. You can access the IRS website 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, at
www.irs.gov to:
- E-file your return. Find out about commercial tax preparation
and
e-file services available free to eligible taxpayers.
- Check the status of your refund. Click on
Where's My Refund.
Wait at least 6 weeks from the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed
electronically). Have your tax return available because you will need to know
your social security number, your filing status, and the exact whole dollar
amount of your refund.
- Download forms, instructions, and publications.
- Order IRS products online.
- Research your tax questions online.
- Search publications online by topic or keyword.
- View Internal Revenue Bulletins (IRBs) published in the
last few years.
- Figure your withholding allowances using our withholding
calculator.
- Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.
- Get information on starting and operating a small business.
. |
 | Phone. Many services are available by phone.
- Ordering forms, instructions, and publications.
Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current-year forms, instructions, and publications,
and prior-year forms and instructions. You should receive your order within 10
days.
- Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with your tax questions at 1-800-829-1040.
- Solving problems.
You can get face-to-face help solving tax problems every business day in IRS
Taxpayer Assistance Centers. An employee can explain IRS letters, request
adjustment to your account, or help you set up a payment plan. Call your local
Taxpayer Assistance Center for an appointment. To find the number, go to
www.irs.gov/localcontacts or look in the phone book under
United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.
- TTY/TDD equipment.
If you have access to TTY/TDD equipment, call 1-800-829-4059 to ask tax
questions or to order forms and publications.
- TeleTax topics.
Call 1-800-829-4477 to listen to pre-recorded messages covering various tax
topics.
- Refund information.
To check the status of your refund, call 1-800-829-4477 and press 1 for
automated refund information or call 1-800-829-1954. Wait at least 6 weeks from
the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed electronically). Have your
tax return available because you will need to know your social security number,
your filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.
Evaluating the quality of our telephone services.
To ensure that IRS representatives give accurate, courteous, and professional
answers, we use several methods to evaluate the quality of our telephone
services. One method is for a second IRS representative to listen in on or
record random telephone calls. Another is to ask some callers to complete a
short survey at the end of the call. |
 | Walk-in. Many products and services are available on a walk-in basis.
- Products.
You can walk in to many post offices, libraries, and IRS offices to pick up
certain forms, instructions, and publications. Some IRS offices, libraries,
grocery stores, copy centers, city and county government offices, credit unions,
and office supply stores have a collection of products available to print from a
CD or photocopy from reproducible proofs. Also, some IRS offices and libraries
have the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, Internal Revenue Bulletins, and
Cumulative Bulletins available for research purposes.
- Services.
You can walk in to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center every business day for
personal, face-to-face tax help. An employee can explain IRS letters, request
adjustments to your tax account, or help you set up a payment plan. If you need
to resolve a tax problem, have questions about how the tax law applies to your
individual tax return, or you're more comfortable talking with someone in
person, visit your local Taxpayer Assistance Center where you can spread out
your records and talk with an IRS representative face-to-face. No appointment is
necessary, but if you prefer, you can call your local Center and leave a message
requesting an appointment to resolve a tax account issue. A representative will
call you back within 2 business days to schedule an in-person appointment at
your convenience. To find the number, go to
www.irs.gov/localcontacts or look in the phone book under
United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.
|
 | Mail.
You can send your order for forms, instructions, and publications to the address
below and receive a response within 10 business days after your request is
received.
National Distribution Center
P.O. Box 8903
Bloomington, IL 61702-8903
|
 | CD for tax products.
You can order Publication 1796, IRS Tax Products CD, and
obtain:
- A CD that is released twice so you have the latest products.
The first release ships in January and the final release ships in March.
- Current-year forms, instructions, and publications.
- Prior-year forms, instructions, and publications.
- Bonus: Historical Tax Products DVD - Ships with the final
release.
- Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.
- Tax law frequently asked questions.
- Tax Topics from the IRS telephone response system.
- Fill-in, print, and save features for most tax forms.
- Internal Revenue Bulletins.
- Toll-free and email technical support.
Buy the CD from National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
at
www.irs.gov/cdorders
for $25 (no handling fee) or call 1-877-CDFORMS (1-877-233-6767) toll free to
buy the CD for $25 (plus a $5 handling fee). Price is subject to change. |
| CD for small businesses.
Publication 3207 is a must for every small business owner
or any taxpayer about to start a business. The CD includes:
- Helpful information, such as how to prepare a business
plan, find financing for your business, and much more.
- All the business tax forms, instructions, and publications
needed to successfully manage a business.
- Tax law changes.
- Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.
- Web links to various government agencies, business associations,
and IRS organizations.
- "Rate the Product" survey—your opportunity to suggest
changes for future editions.
- A site map of the CD to help you navigate the pages of
the CD with ease.
- An interactive "Teens in Biz" module that gives practical
tips for teens about starting their own business, creating a business plan, and
filing taxes.
An updated version of this CD is available each year in early
April. You can get a free copy by calling 1-800-829-3676 or by visiting
www.irs.gov/smallbiz. |
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP4aaab6b4The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers training and educational
programs, counseling services, financial programs, and contract assistance for
small business owners. The SBA also has publications and videos on a variety of
business topics. The following briefly describes assistance provided by the SBA.
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP570a216cSBDCs provide counseling, training, and technical services to
current and prospective small business owners who cannot afford the services of
a private consultant. Help is available when beginning, improving, or expanding
a small business.
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP24a1b858BICs offer a small business reference library, management video
tapes, and computer technology to help plan a business. BICs also offer
one-on-one assistance. Individuals who are in business or are interested in
starting a business can use BICs as often as they wish at no charge.
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP1fc8b461SCORE provides small business counseling and training to current
and prospective small business owners. SCORE is made up of current and former
business people who offer their expertise and knowledge to help people start,
manage, and expand a small business. SCORE also offers a variety of small
business workshops.
| Internet. You can visit the SBA website at
www.sba.gov.
While visiting the SBA website, you can find a variety of information of
interest to small business owners. |
| Phone.
Call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800- UASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722)
for general information about programs available to assist small business
owners. |
| Walk-in.
You can walk in to a Small Business Development Center or
Business Information Center to request assistance with your small business. To
find the location nearest you, access the SBA on the Internet or call the SBA
Answer Desk. |
taxmap/pubs/p583-010.htm#TXMP77443c28Other federal agencies also publish publications and pamphlets
to assist small businesses. Most of these are available from the Superintendent
of Documents at the Government Printing Office. You can get information and
order these publications and pamphlets in several ways.
| Mail. Write to the GPO at the following address.
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
|
| Phone.
Call the GPO toll-free at 1-866-512-1800 or at 202-512-1800 from the Washington,
DC area.
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