Did you know there is actually a tax payer bill of rights?
That’s right! Every taxpayer has a set of rights when dealing with the IRS. And you as a Tax Paying citizen need to know them. To help you in this endeavor I've listed them here for your reference with links to the IRS website with the full descriptions of each. Note: We didn’t make these up, the Internal Revenue Service adopted them in 2014.
The Right to Be Informed
You have the right to know what to do to comply with taxes. You have the right to clear explanations of the tax laws and IRS procedures. This relates to all tax forms, instructions, publications, notices, correspondence, and all other IRS documentation. This also includes the right to be informed of IRS decisions about your tax accounts and receive information about the outcomes in a clear and understandable way.
The Right to Quality Service
You have the right to prompt, courteous, and professional assistance in all your dealings with the Internal Revenue Service. This include being spoken to in a language you can easily understand (this includes all IRS communication. You also have the right to speak to a supervisor if you feel like you’ve received inadequate service.
The Right to Pay Only the Correct Amount of Tax
You have the right to only pay the amount of tax you legally owe which includes interest and penalties. This includes the right to have the IRS apply all tax payments properly.
The Right to Challenge IRS on any Position and Be Heard
You have the right to object to any IRS actions and provide more documentation in response to it. This includes the right to expect that the IRS will consider your timely objections and additional documentation promptly and fairly. You can also receive a response if the IRS does not agree.
The Right to Appeal any IRS Decision
You have the right to a fair and impartial administrative appeal of most IRS decisions. This includes penalties and the right to receive a written response regarding the appeal decision. You also, in general, have the right toe take your case to court.
The Right to Finality
You have the right to know the maximum amount of time you have to challenge the Internal Revenue Service’s position as well as the maximum amount of time the IRS has to audit a tax year and/or collect a tax debt. This includes the right to know when the IRS has finished the audit.
The Right to Privacy
You have the right to expect that IRS inquiries, examinations, and/or enforcement actions will comply with the law and not be any more intrusive than necessary. This means respecting all your due process rights, which includes search and seizure. Where applicable they will have to provide a collection due process hearing.
The Right to Confidentiality
You have the right to have your information not be disclosed by the IRS unless authorized by you or by the law. You also have the right to expect that action against other who wrongfully disclose your tax return information including employees and tax return preparers.
The Right to Retain Representation
You have the right to retain a representative of your choice to represent you in your dealings with the IRS. You can also seek assistance from a low income taxpayer clinic if you can’t afford a representative.
The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System
You have the right to a tax system that will consider the facts and circumstances that could affect your underlying liabilities, ability to pay, and/or ability to provide timely information. You also have the right to have help from the "Taxpayer Advocate Service" if you are experiencing financial difficulty or if the IRS has not resolved your tax issues properly and timely through normal channels.