IRS and State Tax Offices Help Taxpayers

Both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax offices provide assistance to taxpayers to help them understand and comply with tax laws, file accurate tax returns, and resolve tax-related issues. Here’s how each entity helps taxpayers:

1. Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
   • Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs): The IRS operates Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) across the United States, where taxpayers can receive in-person assistance with various tax matters, including tax return preparation, payment arrangements, and resolving tax issues. TACs offer services such as providing forms, answering questions, and assisting with tax-related inquiries.
   • Online Resources: The IRS website (IRS.gov) provides a wealth of online resources, tools, and information to assist taxpayers with their tax-related needs. Taxpayers can access forms, publications, instructions, FAQs, interactive tools, and calculators, as well as educational resources on tax laws, credits, deductions, and filing requirements.
   • Phone Assistance: The IRS offers telephone assistance to taxpayers through various toll-free hotlines, including general taxpayer assistance, refund inquiries, tax return preparation help, and assistance for individuals with hearing impairments (TTY/TDD). Taxpayers can speak with IRS representatives to get answers to their tax questions and resolve tax issues over the phone.
   • Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS): The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that assists taxpayers who are experiencing significant hardship, delays, or other problems with the IRS. TAS advocates work with taxpayers to resolve their tax issues, navigate the IRS bureaucracy, and ensure fair treatment.
   • Online Tax Filing and Payment Options: The IRS offers online tax filing options, such as Free File, IRS e-file, and electronic payment options, to help taxpayers file their tax returns electronically and make tax payments securely and conveniently.
2. State Tax Offices:
   • State Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Many state tax agencies operate taxpayer assistance centers or offices where taxpayers can receive in-person assistance with state tax matters. These offices provide services similar to those offered by the IRS’s Taxpayer Assistance Centers, including tax return preparation help, payment arrangements, and assistance with tax-related inquiries.
   • Online Resources: State tax offices maintain websites that offer online resources, forms, instructions, FAQs, and other information to help taxpayers understand and comply with state tax laws. Taxpayers can access state-specific tax forms, publications, and resources, as well as online filing and payment options.
   • Phone Assistance: State tax agencies provide telephone assistance to taxpayers through dedicated hotline numbers, where taxpayers can speak with state tax representatives to get answers to their tax questions, resolve tax issues, and receive assistance with state tax matters.
   • Taxpayer Advocate Services: Some state tax agencies have taxpayer advocate programs or offices that provide assistance to taxpayers facing significant hardship or difficulties with the state tax authorities. Taxpayer advocates work to resolve taxpayer issues, address concerns, and ensure fair treatment.
   • Online Tax Filing and Payment Options: State tax offices offer online tax filing and payment options to allow taxpayers to file their state tax returns electronically and make state tax payments securely and conveniently.

Overall, both the IRS and state tax offices offer a range of services and resources to assist taxpayers with their tax-related needs, whether in person, online, or over the phone. By leveraging these resources, taxpayers can access the assistance and support they need to understand and comply with tax laws and resolve tax issues effectively.