IRS tax update: Tax Advocating Service by IRS

When it comes to taxes, nobody likes surprises, especially after the IRS tax update. That's why the IRS sends notices to taxpayers to request the due payment of taxes. These notices can be scary, but they are routine parts of the tax process. 

In this article, we will first understand the IRS collection notice process and discuss the most common notices that the IRS sends to request payment of taxes. With this, we will discuss how to respond to IRS notices and IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Understanding the IRS collection notice process

The IRS has a collection notice process in which they notify taxpayers about unpaid taxes and demand payment. You will receive a letter or notice explaining the reason for the contact.
But have you ever wondered why the IRS notified taxpayers?
There may be several reasons why the IRS sends notices and letters, like:

• Your balance is due
• A larger or smaller refund is due
• The IRS has a question about your tax return
• The IRS sometimes needs additional information to verify your identity 
• The IRS changed your return.
• You will be notified if your return is delayed and many more.

IRS Notices To taxpayers:

Taxpayers can receive notices from the IRS in the following ways:

• To request taxes to be paid
• Proposing levies and liens for enforcement of collections;

These are some of the most common IRS Notices taxpayers receive:

Notice CP14:

This notice is sent when you owe taxes and have yet to make any payment or arrangements to pay. It shows the amount of tax owed, any penalties, and interest added to the original amount.

Notice CP501:

This notice is sent when you have an unpaid tax balance. It asks you to pay the amount due or make payment arrangements.

Notice CP503:

This notice is sent when you have an unpaid balance on your taxes and have yet to respond to previous notices. It warns you of the consequences of not paying, such as the IRS placing a lien on your property or seizing your assets.

Notice CP504:

This notice is sent when you have an unpaid balance on your taxes and have yet to respond to previous notices. It informs you that the IRS may take enforcement action, such as wage garnishment or bank levy.

How to Respond to the IRS Notices?

The way you respond to notices can have a significant impact on how the situation turns out. However, you may only succeed if you consider the situation and pay attention to detail. So, respond promptly!

Here are the steps you can take to successfully respond to IRS Notices:

Read the Notice carefully-

The information in each notice or letter is very important. The taxpayers need to read the notice carefully. Comparing the information on your original tax return with what the IRS wrote in the notice or letter may help you determine whether the IRS made changes to your tax return.

Respond-

The following are two main reasons why you should comply with a notice or letter that requires a response by a specific date:

• To minimize the amount of interest and penalties charged.
• Keeping your appeal rights intact if you disagree.

You should respond as specified in the letter or notice, whether by mail, FAX, or online, using the IRS' Documentation Upload Tool when available.

Pay-

If you cannot pay your full debt, pay as much as possible. These payments can be done online or apply for an Offer in Compromise or an Online Payment Agreement. Visit IRS for more updates!

Keep a copy of the IRS notice or letter -

You should keep a copy of all notices and letters with your tax records, as you may need these documents in the future.

IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service -

With the coming up of the IRS tax update 2023, you may need special attention on your tax payments. Therefore, The Taxpayer Advocate Service by IRS can help taxpayers to fill the tax appropriately under tax updates 2023. IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service is worthy for taxpayers in the following ways:

• Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service that represents taxpayer interests.
• The Taxpayer Advocate Service provides financial assistance to taxpayers who are struggling. Both businesses and individuals are included in this category.
• The IRS can help taxpayers solve the tax problem through normal channels and have not succeeded or if they believe an IRS procedure is not working correctly.
• Taxpayers have 10 fundamental rights when interacting with the IRS, which have been outlined in a Taxpayer Bill of Rights:

1. The Right to Be Informed.The Right to Quality Service.
2. The Right to Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax.
3. The Right to Challenge the IRS's Position and Be Heard.
4. The Right to Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum.
5. The Right to Finality.
6. The Right to Privacy.
7. The Right to Confidentiality.
8. The Right to Retain Representation.
9. The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System.

To know more, you can attend online tax CPE courses at myCPE!

• A large-scale problem, such as a systemic issue affecting many taxpayers, can also be handled by TAS. The IRS can be contacted at IRS.gov/sams if you know of one of these broad issues.

For more insight about Advocating For Taxpayers Who Receive Collection Notices from IRS, attend a Free Webinar (IRS Approved - GEHNZ) at myCPE. 

CPA, EA, AFSP, LTC, and other tax professionals can attend this live webinar on presenting and advocating for taxpayers who receive collection notices from the IRS. The webinar covers topics such as the IRS collection process, common collection notices, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, and strategies for responding to collection notices. In addition, the speaker emphasizes the importance of timely response and communication with the IRS to avoid enforcement actions such as liens, levies, or wage garnishments. 

The webinar also includes a Q&A session where the speaker answers questions from attendees on various collection-related topics.

For more IRS approved tax preparer courses, join us today to attend trending  IRS tax update courses and earn tax CPE credits!

FAQs:

What are the consequences of not responding to the IRS notice?

If you don't respond to the notice, the IRS will take enforcement action against you. You may face the consequences such as placing a lien on your property and assets seizing or garnishing your wages. To avoid these legal consequences, respond promptly to any notice.

Can I negotiate with the IRS if I cannot pay the full amount owed?

Yes, you can negotiate with the IRS if you cannot pay the full amount owed to the IRS. Your tax debt can be settled for less than the full amount owed by setting up a payment plan or requesting an offer in compromise.

Can I get help responding to a notice from the IRS?

Yes, you can get help responding to a notice from the IRS. You can contact a tax professional or a low-income taxpayer clinic for assistance. The IRS also has a Taxpayer Advocate Service that can help you resolve issues with the IRS.

Nicholas Branson, CPA

Director

The author, Nick Branson is a CPA and Co- president of myCPE – Continuing Education Platform for Professionals. He has experience of more than 2 decades in the field educating the top professionals in the field of CPA, CMA, CIA and many more.