27 Mar Taxpayer Bill of Rights outlines basic rights for individuals
In some situations, the IRS can make understanding taxes easier, like the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Every taxpayer in the United States has a fundamental set of rights and the IRS has a set of obligations to protect those inalienable rights and taxpayers should be aware of them when dealing with the IRS. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them. In an earlier post, we explored the first five taxpayer rights. Here are the remaining last five:
No. 6: The Right to Finality
Taxpayers have the right to know when it will finally end, like the amount of time they have to challenge the IRS’s decision, the maximum amount of time the IRS has to audit or collect a tax debt, and to know when the IRS has finished an audit.
No. 7: The Right to Privacy
Taxpayers have the right to expect privacy when dealing with the IRS. That means any inquiry, examination, or enforcement action will comply with the law and be no more intrusive than necessary. The IRS will also respect all due process rights, including search and seizure protections and will provide a due process hearing if needed.
No. 8: The Right to Confidentiality
Following the right to privacy, all taxpayers also have the right to expect that any information they provide to the IRS will not be disclosed to unauthorized persons or entities unless authorized by the taxpayer or by law.
No. 9: The Right to Retain Representation
Taxpayers have the right to retain a representative, lawyer or CPA of their choice for their dealings with the IRS.
No. 10: The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System
Taxpayers have the right to expect the tax system to treat them in a fair and just manner, like considering how their circumstances that might affect their ability pay, or to provide information timely. If a taxpayer qualifies, they have the right to receive assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
If you have questions about your rights as a taxpayer, call Dempsey Vantrease & Follis at (615) 893-6666 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. or (615) 444-4125 in Lebanon, Tenn.