What are your rights as a taxpayer?

August 01, 2014 by Karen Reed, EA
US Flag background with money

In June, the IRS and National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson announced the adoption of the new “Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” which includes ten codified provisions from various sections of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS Publication 1 is now available in six languages and has been updated to include the complete list of rights. 
 

As we prepare and file our taxes, endeavor to understand our tax laws, and reach out to our government agencies for assistance, these rights help define our attitudes and expectations. Keep these fundamental rights in mind as you navigate our increasingly complex tax system:
 

  • The Right to Be Informed
  • The Right to Quality Service
  • The Right to Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax
  • The Right to Challenge the IRS’s Position and Be Heard
  • The Right to Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum
  • The Right to Finality
  • The Right to Privacy
  • The Right to Confidentiality
  • The Right to Retain Representation
  • The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System


For detailed explanations of each right please visit IRS.gov.

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Karen Reed, EA

 

During her years as an audit representative for TaxAudit, Karen successfully defended the company’s members throughout the entire federal and state audit processes, handled cases assigned to US Tax Court, and developed procedures to make the audit process easier for taxpayers. Karen attributes a great deal of her tax acumen to the six tax seasons she spent as a return reviewer, analyzing thousands of returns. Responding in writing to questions from taxpayers, she became familiar with the common mistakes self-preparers make. Karen was previously the manager of the Tax Education and Research Department and the Director of Communications at TaxAudit. Her tax advice has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and other publications.


 

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