How to Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service

The National Taxpayer Advocate Service exists to help taxpayers resolve tax problems with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), such as appealing a denied extension request. Each state has a Taxpayer Advocate who reports to the National Taxpayer Advocate Service. You can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service for free in multiple ways.

Things You'll Need

• IRS Publication 1546
• IRS Form 911
• IRS Form 2848
• IRS Form 8821

Instructions

1. Call the National Taxpayer Advocate office at [phone] and explain your situation. They can determine if you are eligible to receive assistance with your tax problem.

2. Visit the IRS website and find your local Taxpayer Advocate office. Call them directly and give them the details of your tax issues. Publication 1546, "The Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS-How to Get Help with Unresolved Tax Problems," also contains a listing of all Taxpayer Advocate offices in the U.S., District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

3. File Form 911, "Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance," by fax or mail with your local Taxpayer Advocate office.

4. Use Form 2848, "Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative," if you need someone else to represent and speak for you. If you would like someone to speak for you but not represent you, fill out Form 8821, "Tax Information Authorization."

5. Contact the IRS at [phone] if you have any trouble obtaining forms you need to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service for simple problems, such as finding out when a refund will be received.

• The Taxpayer Advocate Service cannot help you overturn any legal decisions already made.

Resources

• Use the IRS online search to find your local Taxpayer Advocate.
• File Form 911 to get help from the Taxpayer Advocate office.
• Fill out Form 2848 if you need another person to represent you.
• Use Form 8821 for someone to speak for you but not represent you.