Most of what you've read online about IRS problems is wrong, or at least misleading. I'm Darrin Mish. I practice tax law in Tampa and I've been doing this for 32 years. Here's what's actually true.
Some people believe Internal Revenue Service, IRS, makes tax laws. But it is tasked with overseeing taxpayer compliance with applicable laws enacted by Congress. This includes working with the compliant majority of taxpayers and those unwilling to comply. Understand that these IRS Resources may not always be in your favor but can guide you in resolving common taxpayer problems.
IRS Resources – Good Place to Start
The IRS online Interactive Tax Assistant tool is a guided feature that helps point you to exact information or forms you need. Beginning on the Help and Resources Page is an index with links to specific topics and help. These include downloadable irs.gov forms and publications. It will also show whom to contact for what purpose. Click on a link, or in the search bar; you can enter keywords for interactive tax help. Get the information you need quickly on topics like:
⦁ Free tax preparation help over the phone or in person
⦁ Affordable Care Act filing tips and compliance guidelines
⦁ Amending or correcting your return
⦁ Tips on facing fraud or identity theft and getting it straightened out
⦁ Assistance with penalties, payments, and refunds
⦁ Obtaining an irs.gov transcript of your tax returns
⦁ Tax levies, liens, wage garnishments
⦁ Business tax calendars and more IRS resources
Telephone Assistance
IRS Tax Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM, EDT, with other hours open for Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. They have specific telephone numbers to call when you cannot find the answers you need online. Or, if you require help in languages other than English. IRS has massive call volumes, so before you dial, try finding your answers online to avoid long wait times on hold. Their online tools let you e-file a return, check the status of your account. You can manage tasks like what to do if you did not receive your W-2, extend the time to file or correct an error after filing.
IRS will only speak with you about your account except in certain circumstances. Gather the following before you call:
⦁ Your prior year tax return for purposes of identifying your identity
⦁ Notices or letters IRS sent you and copy of the tax return you are asking about
⦁ Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and birth dates for whoever was on the return you are asking about
⦁ Filing status
Free Tax Help
Appointments may be available at your local IRS office for free in-person help. Free interactive online help is available such as Free File, different tax calculators, online payment agreements and finding authorized e-file providers. Look under the “Individuals” tab on IRS.gov for locations.
Use caution when agreeing to a payment arrangement online or over the telephone. The IRS may ask you to surrender individual rights in exchange for the payment agreement. While you may believe for the best in your situation, unforeseen circumstances can happen. It may make it difficult to keep your agreement. It is in your best interest to consult with a tax attorney. A tax attorney can help you understand your rights and risks before agreeing to any payment plan either electronically, verbally or otherwise.
Volunteer Training Resources
IRS resources also include free tax preparation for low-income taxpayers and tax counseling for the elderly through trained volunteers. Telephone 1-800-906-9887, or reach AARP at 1-888-227-7669, for more information about a location near you. Get volunteer tax assistance, or find out about volunteering to help others.
Independent Tax Advocate
Taxpayer Advocate Service employees work within IRS to help you resolve tax problems when normal channels are not working. If you are experiencing economic harm, or if an IRS procedure does not seem to be functioning correctly, this independent organization will work to help you use IRS resources to resolve your tax problem. You may reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TTD 1-800-829-4059.
One IRS Resource Not Available
A tax attorney to counsel you in your best interests is not among IRS resources. IRS tax resources can help citizens understand everyday taxpayer transactions. But, they are not designed to walk you through the process step-by-step the way a top tax attorney will. Navigating IRS procedures and resources can be complicated, time-consuming and not necessarily in your favor.
Experienced tax attorneys not only can put everything in correct order required by tax codes and the IRS, but they can put it all into a perspective you can understand. They know how to use tax laws to represent your tax interests throughout the process, not the IRS’.
Law Offices of Darrin T. Mish, P.A.
Suppose you are out of the country working, attending college or serving in the military. Perhaps your business is growing, and you need help preparing to meet tax obligations. Divorced and widowed spouses often are unaware of their changing tax liabilities and benefits. They fall out of tax law compliance or miss out on welcome tax relief. Maybe the IRS contacted you about a levy or garnishment. What now?
Whether an error is in IRS’ favor or yours, there are details in different circumstances. These include statutes of limitations and hard deadlines to comply for which you need a top tax attorney in the Tampa area to manage. Let an experienced tax attorney save you downtime from work. He can ease stress and untangle complicated questions about resolving IRS tax issues. Go ahead and start with Darrin T. Mish’s posts and videos located in his IRS Help Vault.
IRS resources can quickly answer questions or point you to forms that you can complete to comply with inadvertently overlooked items or details you may not have known, but avoid neglecting or postponing tax matters. Along with resources to help taxpayers, IRS also has means to collect your taxes whether you wish to comply.
Be you among the compliant majority or the non-compliant minority when IRS comes knocking on your door, consult with a knowledgeable and experienced tax attorney at Law Offices of Darrin T. Mish, PA. He will guide you through the process representing your best interests, not the IRS’.