Publication 598
taxmap/pubs/p598-015.htm#en_us_publink100067660You can get help with unresolved tax issues, order free publications
and forms, ask tax questions, and get 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/p598-015.htm#en_us_publink1000239308The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) 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. Here are seven things every taxpayer should know about
TAS:
- TAS is your voice at the IRS.
- Our service is free, confidential, and tailored to meet your
needs.
- You may be eligible for TAS help if you have tried to resolve
your tax problem through normal IRS channels and have gotten nowhere, or you
believe an IRS procedure just isn't working as it should.
- TAS helps taxpayers whose problems are causing financial difficulty
or significant cost, including the cost of professional representation. This
includes businesses as well as individuals.
- TAS employees know the IRS and how to navigate it. We will
listen to your problem, help you understand what needs to be done to resolve it,
and stay with you every step of the way until your problem is resolved.
- TAS has at least one local taxpayer advocate in every state,
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. You can call your local advocate,
whose number is in your phone book, in Pub. 1546, Taxpayer Advocate
Service—Your Voice at the IRS, and on our website at
www.irs.gov/advocate. You can also call our toll-free line at 1-877-777-4778 or
TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.
- You can learn about your rights and responsibilities as a
taxpayer by visiting our online tax toolkit at
www.taxtoolkit.irs.gov.
taxmap/pubs/p598-015.htm#en_us_publink1000239309taxmap/pubs/p598-015.htm#en_us_publink1000239310To find out what services are available, get Publication 910,
IRS Guide to Free Tax Services. It contains lists of free tax information
sources, including publications, services, and free tax education and assistance
programs. It also has an index of over 100 TeleTax topics (recorded tax
information) you can listen to on your telephone.
Accessible versions of IRS published products are available on
request in a variety of alternative formats for people with disabilities.
taxmap/pubs/p598-015.htm#en_us_publink1000239311The IRS has established a subscription-based email service for
exempt organization issues. Subscribers will receive periodic updates from the
IRS regarding exempt organizations tax law and regulations, available services,
and other information. To subscribe, visit
www.irs.gov/eo. | Internet.
You can access the IRS website at
www.irs.gov 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 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 2009 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 2009 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.
- Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.
- Get information on starting and operating a small business.
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 | 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 adjustments 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 2009 refund, call 1-800-829-4477
and press 1 for automated refund information or call 1-800-829-1954. Be sure to
wait at least 6 weeks from the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed
electronically). Have your 2009 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 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.
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 | Mail.
You can send your order for forms, instructions, and publications
to the address below. You should receive a response within 10 days after your
request is received.
Internal Revenue Service National Distribution Center 1201 N. Mitsubishi Motorway Bloomington, IL 61704-6613
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 | DVD for tax products.
You can order Publication 1796, IRS Tax Products DVD, and
obtain:
- Current-year forms, instructions, and publications.
- Prior-year forms, instructions, and publications.
- Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.
- Tax law frequently asked questions.
- Tax Topics from the IRS telephone response system.
- Internal Revenue Code — Title 26.
- Fill-in, print, and save features for most tax forms.
- Internal Revenue Bulletins.
- Toll-free and email technical support.
- The DVD which is released twice during the year:
– The first release will ship the beginning of January
2010. – The final release will ship the beginning of March
2010.
Purchase the DVD from National Technical Information Service
(NTIS) at
www.irs.gov/cdorders
for $30 (no handling fee) or call 1-877-233-6767 toll free to buy the DVD for
$30 (plus a $6 handling fee). |