{"id":17704,"date":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/irs-tax-advocate-service\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T15:17:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:17:19","slug":"irs-tax-advocate-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/irs-tax-advocate-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the IRS Tax Advocate Service Help You?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Most of what you&#039;ve read online about IRS problems is wrong, or at least misleading. I&#039;m Darrin Mish. I practice tax law in Tampa and I&#039;ve been doing this for 32 years. Here&#039;s what&#039;s actually true.<\/p>\n<p>The IRS Tax Advocate Service is an independent branch of the IRS. That actually seems odd when you think of what independent means. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/category\/irs-help\/\">Click here to read or watch more IRS Help resources.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re part of the US Treasury Department and aren\u2019t governed by the IRS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/advocate\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Their function<\/a> is to act as a go-between the IRS and taxpayers.\u00a0 While their paycheck may come from the IRS, they\u2019re still an independent entity. And that\u2019s a good thing. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/law-offices-darrin-t-mish-p-tax-attorney\/irs-back-taxes\/\">Click here to watch or read more information on IRS Back Taxes.<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17725\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17725\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-17725\" src=\"http:\/\/getirshelp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/IRS-Tax-Advocate-Service-helps-taxpayers-300x173.jpg\" alt=\"The IRS Tax Advocate Service started in 1996 by an act of Congress. Before this, the IRS had a lot of documented instances of abuse against taxpayers.\" width=\"300\" height=\"173\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17725\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The IRS Tax Advocate Service started in 1996 by an act of Congress. Before this, the IRS had a lot of documented instances of abuse against taxpayers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Congress had experts come in, look things over, and then shake things up. There were hearings and Congress decided to put their foot down. Power corrupts is a true statement.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Punitive Seizures<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Punitive seizures were common before the IRS Tax Advocate Service. This is the type of seizure where they could come out and take your car for not paying taxes. They had a lot of power and authority and it went to their heads. They abused that power. All for \u201calleged\u201d bad behavior on behalf of the taxpayer.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">IRS Debt Settlement Success &#8211;\u00a0Watch this Short Video to<br \/>\nLearn How We Helped a Lawyer With a Tax Problem<\/h4>\n<div class=\"video-container\" align=\"center\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-bRhmQey7fM?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The IRS would call a tow truck, haul away vehicles, and sell them for almost nothing. All this just to be mean spirited and to punish taxpayers and teach them a lesson. The good news is that it all stopped in 1998 at the passage of the law. There was an absolute denial of due process.<\/p>\n<p>The IRS had the ability to seize what they wanted without giving taxpayers any avenue of dispute. There was no redress allowed. In my opinion it wasn\u2019t constitutional.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What the Taxpayer Advocate Service Does<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The IRS Tax Advocate offers free help to guide taxpayers through the confusing tax laws. This actually does help people who can\u2019t solve problems on their own. But keep in mind they aren\u2019t there to serve \u201cdue process.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17731\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17731\" style=\"width: 285px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-17731\" src=\"http:\/\/getirshelp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/IRS-Tax-Advocate-Service-helping-hand-285x300.jpg\" alt=\"The IRS Tax Advocate's\u00a0job is to untangle bureaucratic snarls, which they happen to be good at. \u00a0A simple example would be you calling the IRS and not being able to get through. Or, if you do get through, every answer is different than the last. That can be frustrating to say the least. Every time you call the IRS and speak with someone, you\u2019ll get a new ID number. Quality control doesn\u2019t exist in this sense.\" width=\"285\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17731\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The IRS Tax Advocate&#8217;s\u00a0job is to untangle bureaucratic snarls, which they happen to be good at. \u00a0A simple example would be you calling the IRS and not being able to get through. Or, if you do get through, every answer is different than the last. That can be frustrating, to say the least. Every time you call the IRS and speak with someone, you\u2019ll get a new ID number. Quality control doesn\u2019t exist in this sense.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Working with a taxpayer advocate gives you one contact person to work with. They can then reach out to the nearest call center. For instance, let\u2019s say that you owe the IRS and send in a payment. The IRS will sometimes cash a check and it won\u2019t show up where it\u2019s supposed to. I tell anyone sending in a payment to photocopy the front and back of the check. The Taxpayer Advocate Service can make sure your check arrives at the correct destination.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">IRS Debt Settlement Success &#8211; Watch this Short Video to<br \/>\nLearn How We Helped a Contractor With an IRS\u00a0Problem<\/h4>\n<div class=\"video-container\" align=\"center\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/91qZYNp6lJM?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The IRS is a huge operation, so things are going to go wrong on occasion. The IRS Tax Advocate Service doesn\u2019t mind taking care of small problems either.<\/p>\n<h4>In fact here are seven\u00a0things you\u00a0should know about the IRS Tax Advocate Service if you have a tax problem.<\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li>1. It\u2019s your voice at the IRS. Their main job is to arrange an agreement between the IRS and you.<\/li>\n<li>2. The tax help provided is at no cost and available to both businesses and individuals.<\/li>\n<li>3. You may be eligible for the service if you\u2019ve been unsuccessful in resolving your tax issue.<\/li>\n<li>4. Ask for help. You never know what the\u00a0IRS Tax Advocate Service will be able to provide, or how they\u2019ll be able to help. Even tax professionals can request help from them on your behalf.<\/li>\n<li>5. If your taxes are causing financial difficulty, you may qualify for help.<\/li>\n<li>6. You\u2019ll be assigned an advocate who will represent you to the best of their abilities.<\/li>\n<li>7. There\u2019s at least one IRS Tax Advocate Service assigned to each state. Their phone number is in each local telephone book.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What the IRS Tax Advocate Service Won\u2019t Handle<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s say you haven\u2019t paid taxes in many years. And let\u2019s say you owe around $150,000. Your goal should be to file an <a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/tag\/offer-in-compromise\/\">offer in compromise<\/a> to try to settle your debt for less. That\u2019s not a IRS Tax Advocate Service deal, but rather something like a <a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/about-darrin\/\">tax pro<\/a> like myself can help you with. There are just some things an IRS Tax Advocate Service can\u2019t help you with, and that\u2019s one of them.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">IRS Debt Settlement Success &#8211; Watch this Short Video to<br \/>\nLearn How We Helped a Dentist With a Tax Problem<\/h4>\n<div class=\"video-container\" align=\"center\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xKPDmoOuVtg?enablejsapi=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>Who\u2019s Eligible for Help?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re currently unable to pay or negotiate your tax liability, you could qualify for help. The service is free and their services are tailored to fit the needs of each individual. The same goes for businesses. You can count on these people knowing the tax system inside and out. They know how to navigate and work with individuals at every step along the way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How About a Few Success Stories!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Story#1: <\/strong>There\u2019s a story about a shifty preparer who allowed a taxpayer to sign their tax return. There was a sizeable balance showing. He then asked the taxpayer to write a check. The arrangement was for the taxpayer to pay the remaining balance when their return was filed. So, the taxpayer departed and the preparer falsely increased the reported expenses. This actually decreased the taxes owed. The preparer plotted to keep the balance. TAS helped the taxpayer resolve the matter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Case #2: <\/strong>A wife and her husband got a bill from the IRS as a result of an assessment under the husband\u2019s name. It was a little shocking because the husband had no taxable income for the year and didn\u2019t file a tax return. They contacted the IRS and they couldn\u2019t provide an explanation on what happened. The\u00a0IRS Tax Advocate Service\u00a0figured out that several people were using the husband\u2019s Social Security number.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17729\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17729\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-17729\" src=\"http:\/\/getirshelp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/IRS-Tax-Advocate-Service-Identity-Theft-300x173.jpg\" alt=\"It was a classic case of identity theft. The people responsible for the identity theft were identified. The man\u2019s taxes were set straight. Without the help of the\u00a0IRS Tax Advocate Service, the poor man may have never figured out the mystery.\" width=\"300\" height=\"173\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17729\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It was a classic case of identity theft. The people responsible for the identity theft were identified. The man\u2019s taxes were set straight. Without the help of the\u00a0IRS Tax Advocate Service, the poor man may have never figured out the mystery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Case #3<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/tag\/irs-levy\/\">A payroll service embezzled funds and failed to pay its payroll taxes to the IRS. The business they stole from\u00a0had a levy placed on it by the IRS.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The IRS Tax Advocate Service\u00a0went to work, and discovered that hundreds of businesses were having problems with the same payroll service provider. <a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/tag\/tax-lien\/\">The IRS Tax Advocate Service\u00a0helped these businesses avoid IRS liens and penalties<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Case #4<\/strong>: A young mother whose IRS tax refund was delayed called the IRS, and wasn\u2019t given much info\u00a0about her missing refund. What made matters worse is that she didn\u2019t receive a refund from three years prior. A Taxpayer Advocate\u00a0got involved and discovered the IRS had tagged her previous refund as fraudulent because of identity theft. The IRS ended up sending the woman\u2019s refund along with the previous refund that was held up.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a lot going on in the world, and it pays to be up on things.<a href=\"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/category\/irs-help\/\"> I make my living helping people solve tax problems<\/a>. I know how important it is for a person to have the right representation. Without an advocate, a lot of people would be dead in the water and at the mercy of the IRS.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most of what you&#039;ve read online about IRS problems is wrong, or at least misleading. I&#039;m Darrin Mish. I practice tax law in Tampa and I&#039;ve been doing this for 32 years. Here&#039;s what&#039;s actually true. The IRS Tax Advocate Service is an independent branch of the IRS. That actually seems odd when you think [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[144,126,127],"class_list":["post-17704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-irs-help","tag-irs-levy","tag-offer-in-compromise","tag-tax-lien"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17704"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22832,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17704\/revisions\/22832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getirshelp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}