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 distraught taxpayer contacted TAS for help because her mother had been in a conservatorship with a stranger. The taxpayer and her mother were unaware that the conservator had been court-appointed. The conservator filed several federal income tax returns to claim refunds for the mother. After the mother passed away, the taxpayer was appointed executor of the estate.  

At the time the taxpayer came to TAS on behalf of the mother’s estate, there were several tax refunds being held by the IRS for which the refund claims had been filed by the conservator. The case advocate explained that those claims for refund were a civil matter between the conservator and the executor. Although the case advocate couldn’t help with those refunds, as the conservator hadn’t sought TAS assistance, the case advocate was able to verify the accuracy of some other tax returns claiming refunds that had not yet been issued. The case advocate secured the court documents, which documented the taxpayer’s appointment as executor and Form 1310, Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer. With these documents, the case advocate was able to get the remaining refunds issued directly to the taxpayer.  

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?