IRS Settlement Deadline Approaches
Filed Under Tax News, Taxpayer Rights | Leave a Comment
Have you been naughty boy or girl with your tax??
Well here’s a chance to get it off your chest with a discount because the IRS has given taxpayers until Jan. 23, 2006 to file an election to take part in the global settlement program.
“This is a last-chance opportunity for taxpayers to put these deals behind them,†said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “A recent tax law change involving interest calculation gives taxpayers an even bigger incentive to come forward.â€
The settlement program covers 21 transactions consisting of both listed and non-listed transactions. With the exception of applicable penalties, which vary depending on the level of abusiveness, the settlement terms are identical for all 21 transactions. Details on the covered transactions as well as the settlement terms can be found in Announcement 2005-80 and FS-2005-17.
This settlement initiative allows taxpayers the opportunity to quickly and efficiently close out a wide range of abusive transactions.
Those taxpayers, who may be tempted to bypass the settlement program, should not expect to receive a better offer in Appeals than the initiative terms and they may, in fact, see a less favorable outcome.â€
Taxpayers who bypass the settlement initiative and go to Appeals will not qualify for this exception but will incur the full interest charge on their tax deficiencies.
So here’s a last chance to clean up your tax with lower interest penalties - sounds too good to miss!
Learn more about tax at www.taxassistonline.com
Taxpayer Rights
Filed Under Tax Help & Assistance, Taxpayer Rights, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Your Rights as a Taxpayer
I. Protection of Your Rights
IRS employees will explain and protect
your rights as a taxpayer throughout your
contact with us.
II. Privacy and Confidentiality
The IRS will not disclose to anyone the
information you give us, except as
authorized by law. You have the right to
know why we are asking you for
information, how we will use it, and what
happens if you do not provide requested
information.
III. Professional and Courteous Service
If you believe that an IRS employee has
not treated you in a professional, fair, and
courteous manner, you should tell that
employee’s supervisor. If the supervisor’s
response is not satisfactory, you should
write to the IRS director for your area or
the center where you file your return.
IV. Representation
You may either represent yourself or,
with proper written authorization, have
someone else represent you in your
place. Your representative must be a
person allowed to practice before the
IRS, such as an attorney, certified public
accountant, or enrolled agent. If you are
in an interview and ask to consult such a
person, then we must stop and
reschedule the interview in most cases.
You can have someone accompany you
at an interview. You may make sound
recordings of any meetings with our
examination, appeal, or collection
personnel, provided you tell us in writing
10 days before the meeting.
V. Payment of Only the Correct Amount of Tax
You are responsible for paying only the
correct amount of tax due under the
law—no more, no less. If you cannot pay
all of your tax when it is due, you may be
able to make monthly installment
payments.
VI. Help With Unresolved Tax Problems
The Taxpayer Advocate Service can help
you if you have tried unsuccessfully to
resolve a problem with the IRS. Your
local Taxpayer Advocate can offer you
special help if you have a significant
hardship as a result of a tax problem.
For more information, call toll free
1–877–777–4778 (1–800–829–4059 for
TTY/TDD) or write to the Taxpayer
Advocate at the IRS office that last
contacted you.
VII. Appeals and Judicial Review
If you disagree with us about the amount
of your tax liability or certain collection
actions, you have the right to ask the
Appeals Office to review your case. You
may also ask a court to review your case.
VIII. Relief From Certain Penalties and Interest
The IRS will waive penalties when
allowed by law if you can show you
acted reasonably and in good faith or
relied on the incorrect advice of an IRS
employee. We will waive interest that is
the result of certain errors or delays
caused by an IRS employee.
refer to the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/advocate/article/0,,id=98206,00.html for more information.