Who We Are

We’re your voice at the IRS

We are an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our job is to strive to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and knows and understands their rights.

Our advocates can get you the help you deserve:

Knowledgeable and dedicated advocates will be with you throughout your entire case.

Note: TAS cannot accept refund delay assistance requests for tax returns that are in suspense, including requests for assistance made through the Systemic Advocacy Management System (SAMS).

To assist taxpayers who are experiencing financial hardship

Taxpayers seeking help in resolving tax problems that they have not been able to resolve with the IRS

Taxpayers who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should

About Us

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights.

As an independent organization within the IRS, we protect taxpayers’ rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, and recommend changes that will prevent the problems.

What is TAS?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service works in two main ways – helping taxpayers with individual problems, and recommending “big picture” or systemic changes at the IRS or in the tax laws.

Individual Help

If you are having a tax problem that you haven’t been able to resolve on your own, our Advocates may be able to help. If your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty or you believe an IRS procedure isn’t working as it should our Advocates may be able to help. Read more about when to contact TAS.

There are several ways to request a case in TAS, the easiest is to download the Form 911 and mail or fax it to your local office. You should hear back on your case within two weeks of submitting your Form 911.

TAS also offers other ways to complete the Form 911. These options may not be as quick to process your request as TAS is experiencing a very high call volume at this time.

Use our TAS Qualifier Tool to help determine if TAS can assist you.
Download the Form 911
Contact the Centralized Case Intake (CCI) toll-free number at 877-777-4778
Contact your Local TAS Office

We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. If you qualify for our help, you will be assigned to one advocate who will be with you at every turn. Our advocates work with the IRS to get your problems resolved. And our services are always free.

Systemic Help

Some of the problems we deal with are not limited to a single taxpayer. The Taxpayer Advocate Service looks at patterns in taxpayer issues to determine if an IRS process or procedure is causing a problem, and if so, to recommend steps to resolve the problem.
Each year, the National Taxpayer Advocate presents an Annual Report to Congress, identifying at least 10 of the most serious problems facing taxpayers. In recent years, the key issues in the report have included tax-related identity theft, fraud by certain tax return preparers, and the need for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (which the IRS has adopted).

If you know of a systemic issue affecting multiple taxpayers, please report it to us with the Systemic Advocacy Management System on IRS.gov.

Our Leadership

National Taxpayer Advocate

Erin M. Collins

Erin M. Collins joined the Taxpayer Advocate Service as the third National Taxpayer Advocate in March 2020. Prior to becoming the National Taxpayer Advocate, she was the Tax Managing Director in charge of KPMG’s Tax Controversy Services practice for the Western area until her retirement in April 2019. She has more than 35 years of experience handling controversies at all levels of the IRS, including the examination, appeals and chief counsel functions, as well as representing both foreign and domestic corporations on a wide range of technical and procedural issues.

More about Erin See past leadership profiles

Roadmap to Advocacy

Did you know?

12,714,915

Users have visited this website so far in Fiscal Year 2024 seeking TAS assistance

1996

The office of the Taxpayer Advocate Service was created on July 30, 1996

10

The number of most serious tax problems TAS presents to Congress each year in our Annual Report

78

The number of recommendations proposed in the 2023 Annual Report to Congress (ARC) to the IRS to improve tax administration and protect taxpayer's rights.

264,343

The amount of new cases received in TAS between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.

2,976,415

The amount of calls received on the NTA Hotline between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2021. A 283% increase from the prior 12 months

Our History

Congress created the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) to help individual and business taxpayers resolve problems that haven’t been resolved through normal IRS channels. We also address large-scale, systemic issues that affect groups of taxpayers.

Partner Taxpayer Organizations

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

TAP is a group of volunteers dedicated to helping the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) identify ways to improve customer service.

Learn more

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) assist low income individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS, and provide education and outreach to individuals who speak English as a second language (ESL).

Learn more

Operational Plan and Organizational Objectives

The National Taxpayer Advocate submits two Congressional reports annually, including the Objectives Report in June where she commits to conduct many organizational level Objectives and Activities. These actions help taxpayers comply with the tax laws, provide assistance to them if they encounter problems in meeting their tax liabilities, and better understand how and why TAS advocates for them with IRS leadership and Congress. The TAS Operational Plan describes the items we will work during the fiscal year.

Need help with a Tax Issue?

We want to hear from you:

If you’re having tax problems and haven’t been able to to resolve them with the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help you—and our service is free.

Do you qualify?

How We've Helped Taxpayers

Success Stories

Quick Action Prevents Burden on Thousands of Taxpayers

Success Stories

235 tax tip sessions held nationwide to help avoid refund delays

Success Stories

Taxpayer requests TAS assistance in challenging IRS audit disallowing EITC claim for her disabled child

Join the Taxpayer Advocate Team!

The Taxpayer Advocate Service offers a unique opportunity for you to advocate for taxpayers who experience difficulties in resolving their issues with the IRS and protecting taxpayer rights

Browse available positions