What to Prepare Before Contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service
Gather the notice, write a short timeline, and explain what you need help resolving.
Before contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), gather your latest IRS notice, the tax year involved, and proof of any steps you already took. Then write a short summary of what is still unresolved and the help you want. If the problem is causing financial harm, include what is at risk and when.
Keep IRS and court deadlines on your calendar. Requesting TAS assistance does not itself extend a deadline, file an appeal, or stop collection. Follow the instructions for any action that is still due.
Identify the issue
Record the tax year, notice number, and action you need the IRS to take.
Show what you tried
List prior contacts and keep proof of any response you sent.
Explain the impact
State what the delay or IRS action is costing you and any urgent date.
1. Check whether TAS may be the right next step
TAS is an independent organization within the IRS. It may help when a federal tax problem causes financial harm, when normal IRS channels have not resolved a problem, or when an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should. TAS reviews requests against its case acceptance criteria. If harm is imminent, say so at the start of the call.
2. Gather the records that explain your case
- Taxpayer and contact details. Have the name on the return, taxpayer identification number, current address, and a reliable callback number. Keep full identifying numbers out of informal notes or ordinary email.
- Tax year and current notice. Keep all pages of the latest notice, any earlier letter that explains the issue, and the relevant return or account records. Mark any response or appeal deadline.
- Prior contacts and submissions. List call dates, what the IRS said, and what you sent. Gather any upload confirmation, fax report, or mailing record. Note any promised response date that has passed.
- Financial impact, if relevant. Keep dated records, such as a shutoff notice, that show the amount needed and when harm could occur.
- Representative details, if applicable. If someone will act for you, check what authorization TAS needs and whether it covers the matter and periods at issue.
Explain the problem in a few sentences
My federal tax issue concerns [tax year and notice number]. The IRS asked for or reported [specific issue]. I contacted the IRS on [dates] and sent [documents] on [date] by [method]. I have [proof]. The issue still open is [specific problem].
This is affecting me because [impact and urgent date, if any]. Please help me [specific action requested]. The next IRS or court deadline I know about is [date and action, or none identified].
Example: “I uploaded the wage records requested in my notice, and the follow-up date has passed. I have the upload confirmation. Please help determine whether the records were matched to my case and whether the IRS still needs anything from me.”
3. Contact TAS and save a copy of your request
Call TAS at 877-777-4778 or use the current TAS instructions to submit Form 911. On the form, use line 12a to describe the tax problem and any hardship, and line 12b to describe the help you are requesting. Follow the form’s signature instructions and use the submission method TAS lists.
Keep the exact request and submission proof. Record the date, any reference number, and when to follow up. If a new notice arrives or the hardship date changes, tell TAS and check what you must do separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a complete file before calling?
Start with the issue, tax year, and what makes it urgent. Explain which records are missing and ask what TAS needs next.
Should I submit every tax record I have?
Gather the records that support the specific request. Follow TAS instructions for sending sensitive documents and keep other records available if requested.
Does submitting Form 911 mean TAS accepted my case?
No. It is a request for assistance. Keep your submission record and follow the guidance TAS gives you about intake and next steps.
Give TAS a clear starting point
Bring the tax year, the unresolved issue, the dates that matter, and one specific request for help.