Key Terms

Resources for Tax Professionals

Information in this section is intended for tax professionals, including information about new IRS tax preparer regulation, changes in e-file requirements, ways you can make recommendations to the IRS about systematic problems you have noticed in your practice, and information about Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) and volunteering at LITCs around the country.

  • Tax Preparer Regulation
    This section includes important information about tax preparer regulations, including how to apply or renew your PTIN and exam, education and electronic filing requirements.
  • Systemic Recommendations
    The Office of Systemic Advocacy addresses large-scale, systemic issues that impact many taxpayers. As a tax professional preparing federal tax returns, if you notice a tax issue or problem that affects multiple taxpayers, let TAS know.
  • Low Income Taxpayer Clinics
    If you have a client that cannot afford to pay for representation before the IRS or in court, they may qualify for assistance from a LITC. LITCs are independent from the IRS.
  • Disaster Relief
    The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) supports disaster relief by providing federal tax return information and other tax-related information for people who have recently experienced a federally-declared disaster.
  • Taxpayer Advocate Service at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums
    Each year, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) hosts seminars and focus groups at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums, a series of three-day tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals.
  • Clarification of Guidance for Some Collection Appeals Program (CAP) Hearing Requests
    The IRS clarified instructions to employees, reinforcing that a managerial conference is not necessary before taxpayers can request a Collection Appeals Program (CAP) hearing for certain cases.

 

Taxpayer Advocate Service Clarifies Case Acceptance Criteria

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is designed to be a "safety net" for taxpayers who are experiencing problems with the IRS. However, because we couldn’t possibly help all six million to 12 million taxpayers who may be having problems at any given time, we need to focus on cases where we can add the most value. More details.

 

Using Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to Pay a Split Spousal Assessment

As a reminder, taxpayers can use EFTPS to pay their taxes. When using EFTPS to pay a split spousal assessment, ensure the selection of the correct form to accurately apply the payment. If a user selects the wrong form (such as "Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return" instead of "Form 1040, Separate Assessment/Innocent Spouse") the payment will post to the joint account rather than the separate assessment account as the taxpayer intends. To have a payment correctly applied to MFT 31: 

  • Select the payment tab. 
  • Open the dropdown menu on "Select Tax Form." 
  • Select "1040 Separate Assessment/Innocent Spouse."

More Info on Return Preparer Test

VIDEOS

Follow TAS on Twitter!

RECENT TWEETS

TAS NEWS AND UPDATES

Follow on Twitter Follow on Facebook Follow on YouTube RSS Feed


  •  

    Share This:

     
  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Please note that by clicking on this link, you will leave the TAS website and enter a website created, operated and maintained by a volunteer citizen group. This group, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, works to improve IRS customer service and satisfaction.

Continue | Close
You are entering a new site. Once you leave TaxpayerAdvocate.irs.gov, you will be subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside site. TaxpayerAdvocate.irs.gov cannot guarantee that outside websites comply with Section 508 (accessibility requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.

Continue | Close