Every year the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. This story is only one of many examples of how TAS helps resolve taxpayer issues. All personal details are removed to protect the privacy of the taxpayer.

A taxpayer contacted the IRS to resolve a balance due that exceeded $150,000, which required the taxpayer establish a short-term payment plan. However, the IRS assistor didn’t finalize the agreement on the taxpayer’s account, resulting in the taxpayer’s bank account being levied with over $20,000 being attached. The taxpayer was incapacitated and unable to work, making the impact of the levy action immediate and severe. TAS contacted the IRS on behalf of the taxpayer, explained that a short-term payment plan had been granted and that the levy occurred while that payment plan was in place. TAS promptly secured the bank account information when requested by the IRS and was able to successfully advocate for the levied funds to be released and returned to the taxpayer’s bank account. TAS’s actions relieved the financial hardship and fully resolved the taxpayer’s issue.

When working with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, each individual or business taxpayer is assigned to an advocate who listens to the problem and helps the taxpayer understand what needs to be done to resolve their tax issue. TAS advocates will do everything they can to help taxpayers and work with them every step of the way. Occasionally we feature stories of taxpayers and advocates who work together to resolve complex tax issues. Read more TAS success stories.

Learn more about whether TAS can help you: Can TAS help me with my tax issue?