Facing IRS collections can be challenging, but knowing your rights can help you handle the process better. The IRS and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts have set up a Taxpayer Bill of Rights to protect you during tax collection. Here’s what you need to know:
What are your rights?
Under the IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights, you have the right to:
- Precise information: You have the right to know how to follow tax laws. The IRS must provide exact details of the laws and IRS steps in all tax forms, guides, papers, notices and letters.
- Good service: The IRS offers quick, kind, skilled help, allowing you to grasp their messages quickly and get clear answers.
- Pay only what you owe: You can pay only the tax amount legally due, with interest and fines, and have the IRS use all tax payments correctly.
- Question the IRS’s stand: You can raise issues and provide more proof for formal IRS actions or planned actions and expect the IRS to consider your issues and provide proof quickly and fairly.
- Appeal an IRS decision in a free forum: You can have a fair appeal of most IRS decisions, including many fines, and get a written answer about the Office of Appeals’ decision.
The Texas Taxpayer Bill of Rights also gives you more protection, such as:
- Fair treatment: You can get kind and polite treatment and handle your issues satisfactorily and respectfully.
- Privacy: The Texas Comptroller’s office must protect your privacy and tax information.
- Know the taxes you pay: You can get precise information about the taxes you owe, including tax laws, rules, plans, steps, forms, due dates and helpful guides.
- Have someone speak for you: You can choose someone to represent you during audits and other tax matters.
- Contest a decision: The Texas Comptroller’s office’s “Contesting Disagreed Audits” document provides a detailed plan for disputing decisions.
Knowing these rights can help you better handle IRS collections. If you have concerns or need detailed tax guidance, consider enlisting the help of a tax lawyer.
