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 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

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.

To speak to an advocate, call (877) 777-4778 or find 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

Did you know?

4,817,897

Users have visited this website between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020 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

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 Advocate 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

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