taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP4d9d5d77
The IRS Mission
| Provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all.
|
Penalty for filing erroneous claim for refund or credit.
(p1)You may have to pay a penalty if you file an erroneous claim for refund or credit. See
Penalty for erroneous claim for refund, later under
Claims for Refund.
Interest and penalties suspended if notice not mailed within 36
months.
(p1)If you file your return timely (including extensions), interest and certain penalties will be suspended if the IRS does not mail a notice to you within 36 months. See
Suspension of interest and penalties, later under
Examination of Returns.
Fast track mediation.
(p1)The IRS offers fast track mediation services to help taxpayers resolve many disputes resulting from:
- Examinations (audits),
- Offers in compromise,
- Trust fund recovery penalties, and
- Other collection actions.
See
Fast track mediation under
If You Do Not Agree.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accepts most federal tax returns as filed. However, the IRS examines (or audits) some returns to determine if income, expenses, and credits are being reported
accurately.
If your return is selected for examination, it does not suggest that you made an error or are dishonest. Returns are chosen by computerized screening, by random sample, or by an income document matching program. See
Examination selection criteria, later. You should also know that many examinations result in a refund or acceptance of the tax return without
change.
This publication discusses general rules and procedures that the IRS follows in examinations. It explains what happens during an examination and your appeal rights, both within the IRS and in the federal court system. It also explains how to file a claim for refund of tax you already
paid.
As a taxpayer, you have the right to be treated fairly, professionally, promptly, and courteously by IRS employees. Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer, explains your rights when dealing with the
IRS.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP04439f8eWe welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future
editions.
You can write to us at the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
Individual Forms and Publications Branch
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:I
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526
Washington, DC 20224
We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your
correspondence.
You can email us at
*taxforms@irs.gov. (The asterisk must be included in the address.) Please put "Publications Comment" on the subject line. Although we cannot respond individually to each email, we do appreciate your feedback and will consider your comments as we revise our tax
products.
Visit
www.irs.gov/formspubs
to download forms and publications, call 1-800-829-3676, or write to the address
below and receive a response within 10 days after your request is received.
Internal Revenue Service
1201 N. Mitsubishi Motorway
Bloomington, IL 61704-6613If you have a tax question, check the information available on
www.irs.gov
or call 1-800-829-1040. We cannot answer tax questions sent to either of the
above addresses.
Useful items
You may want to see:
Publication 1 Your Rights as a Taxpayer 5 Your Appeal Rights and How To Prepare a Protest If You Don't
Agree 547 Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts 594 The IRS Collection Process 910 Guide to Free Tax Services 971 Innocent Spouse Relief 1546 Taxpayer Advocate Service–Your Voice at the IRS 1660 Collection Appeal Rights 3605 Fast Track Mediation 3920 Tax Relief for Victims of Terrorist Attacks Form (and Instructions) 843:
Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement 1040X:
Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return 2848:
Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative 4506:
Request for Copy of Tax Return 4506-T:
Request for Transcript of Tax Return 8379:
Injured Spouse Allocation 8857:
Request for Innocent Spouse Relief See
How To Get Tax Help, near the end of this publication, for information about getting these publications and
forms.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP401cce34Your return may be examined for a variety of reasons, and the examination may take place in any one of several ways. After the examination, if any changes to your tax are proposed, you can either agree with those changes and pay any additional tax you may owe, or you can disagree with the changes and appeal the decision.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP7ee1829aYour return may be selected for examination on the basis of computer scoring. A computer program called the Discriminant Inventory Function System (DIF) assigns a numeric score to each individual and some corporate tax returns after they have been processed. If your return is selected because of a high score under the DIF system, the potential is high that an examination of your return will result in a change to your income tax liability.
Your return may also be selected for examination on the basis of information received from third-party documentation, such as Forms 1099 and W-2, that does not match the information reported on your return. Or, your return may be selected to address both the questionable treatment of an item and to study the behavior of similar taxpayers (a market segment) in handling a tax
issue.
In addition, your return may be selected as a result of information received from other sources on potential noncompliance with the tax laws or inaccurate filing. This information can come from a number of sources, including newspapers, public records, and individuals. The information is evaluated for reliability and accuracy before it is used as the basis of an examination or investigation.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP2f65970a
The IRS must give you reasonable notice before contacting other persons about
your tax matters. You must be given reasonable notice in advance that, in
examining or collecting your tax liability, the IRS may contact third parties
such as your neighbors, banks, employers, or employees. The IRS must also give
you notice of specific contacts by providing you with a record of persons
contacted on both a periodic basis and upon your request.
 | This provision does not apply:
- To any pending criminal investigation,
- When providing notice would jeopardize collection of any tax
liability,
- Where providing notice may result in reprisal against any person,
or
- When you authorized the contact.
|
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP668203dbThe Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS whose goal is to help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS. If you have an ongoing issue with the IRS that has not been resolved through normal processes, or you have suffered, or are about to suffer a significant hardship as a result of the administration of the tax laws, contact the Taxpayer Advocate
Service.
 | Before contacting the Taxpayer Advocate, you should first discuss any problem with a supervisor. Your local Taxpayer Advocate will assist you if you are unable to resolve the problem with the
supervisor. |
For more information, see Publication
1546. See
How To Get Tax Help, near the end of this publication, for more information about contacting the Taxpayer Advocate
Service.
The Small Business and Agricultural Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10
Regional Fairness Boards have been established to receive comments from small
business about federal agency enforcement actions. The Ombudsman will annually
evaluate the enforcement activities of each agency and rate their responsiveness
to small business. If you wish to comment on the enforcement actions of the IRS,
you can take any of the following steps.
- Fax your comments to 1-202-481-5719.
- Write to the following address:
Office of the National Ombudsman
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, SW
Washington, DC 20416 - Call 1-888-734-3247.
- Send an email to
ombudsman@sba.gov.
- File a comment or complaint online at
www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
Some examinations are handled entirely by mail. Examinations not handled by mail can take place in your home, your place of business, an Internal Revenue office, or the office of your attorney, accountant, or enrolled agent. If the time, place, or method is not convenient for you, the examiner will try to work out something more suitable. However, the IRS makes the final determination of when, where, and how the examination will take place.
Throughout the examination, you can act on your own behalf or have someone represent you or accompany you. If you filed a joint return, either you or your spouse, or both, can meet with the IRS. You can have someone represent or accompany you. This person can be any federally authorized practitioner, including an attorney, a certified public accountant, an enrolled agent (a person enrolled to practice before the IRS), an enrolled actuary, or the person who prepared the return and signed it as the preparer.
If you want someone to represent you in your absence, you must furnish that
person with proper written authorization. You can use Form 2848 or any other
properly written authorization. If you want to consult with an attorney, a
certified public accountant, an enrolled agent, or any other person permitted to
represent a taxpayer during an interview for examining a tax return or
collecting tax, you should make arrangements with that person to be available
for the interview. In most cases, the IRS must suspend the interview and
reschedule it. The IRS cannot suspend the interview if you are there because of
an administrative summons.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP5dd74400If you checked the box in the signature area of your income tax return (Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ) to allow the IRS to discuss your return with another person (a third party designee), this authorization does not replace Form 2848. The box you checked on your return only authorizes the other person to receive information about the processing of your return and the status of your refund during the period your return is being processed. For more information, see the instructions for your return.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP2b4253caGenerally, the same confidentiality protection that you have with an attorney also applies to certain communications that you have with federally authorized
practitioners.
Confidential communications are those that:
- Advise you on tax matters within the scope of the practitioner's authority to practice before the
IRS,
- Would be confidential between an attorney and you, and
- Relate to noncriminal tax matters before the IRS, or
- Relate to noncriminal tax proceedings brought in federal court by or against the United
States.
In the case of communications in connection with the promotion of a person's participation in a tax shelter, the confidentiality privilege does not apply to written communications between a federally authorized practitioner and that person, any director, officer, employee, agent, or representative of that person, or any other person holding a capital or profits interest in that
person.
A tax shelter is any entity, plan, or arrangement, a significant purpose of which is the avoidance or evasion of income tax.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP527f59b3
You can make an audio recording of the examination interview. Your request to
record the interview should be made in writing. You must notify the examiner 10
days in advance and bring your own recording equipment. The IRS also can record
an interview. If the IRS initiates the recording, you must be notified 10 days
in advance and you can get a copy of the recording at your expense.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP08c1f2cb
Generally, your return is examined in the area where you live. But if your
return can be examined more quickly and conveniently in another area, such as
where your books and records are located, you can ask to have the case
transferred to that area.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP12743ba5
The IRS tries to avoid repeat examinations of the same items, but sometimes this
happens. If your tax return was examined for the same items in either of the 2
previous years and no change was proposed to your tax liability, please contact
the IRS as soon as possible to see if the examination should be discontinued.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP2235f186An examination usually begins when you are notified that your return has been selected. The IRS will tell you which records you will need. The examination can proceed more easily if you gather your records before any interview.
Any proposed changes to your return will be explained to you or your authorized representative. It is important that you understand the reasons for any proposed changes. You should not hesitate to ask about anything that is unclear to you.
The IRS must follow the tax laws set forth by Congress in the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS also follows Treasury Regulations, other rules, and procedures that were written to administer the tax laws. The IRS also follows court decisions. However, the IRS can lose cases that involve taxpayers with the same issue and still apply its interpretation of the law to your
situation.
Most taxpayers agree to changes proposed by examiners, and the examinations are closed at this level. If you do not agree, you can appeal any proposed change by following the procedures provided to you by the IRS. A more complete discussion of appeal rights is found later under
Appeal Rights.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP3a87712fIf you agree with the proposed changes, you can sign an agreement form and pay any additional tax you may owe. You must pay interest on any additional tax. If you pay when you sign the agreement, the interest is generally figured from the due date of your return to the date of your payment.
If you do not pay the additional tax when you sign the agreement, you will receive a bill that includes interest. If you pay the amount due within 10 business days of the billing date, you will not have to pay more interest or penalties. This period is extended to 21 calendar days if the amount due is less than $100,000.
If you are due a refund, you will receive it sooner if you sign the agreement form. You will be paid interest on the refund.
If the IRS accepts your tax return as filed, you will receive a letter in a few weeks stating that the examiner proposed no changes to your return. You should keep this letter with your tax records.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP405d0a72If you do not agree with the proposed changes, the examiner will explain your appeal rights. If your examination takes place in an IRS office, you can request an immediate meeting with the examiner's supervisor to explain your position. If an agreement is reached, your case will be closed.
If you cannot reach an agreement with the supervisor at this meeting, or if the examination took place outside of an IRS office, the examiner will write up your case explaining your position and the IRS' position. The examiner will forward your case for processing.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP3e980e95The IRS offers fast track mediation services to help taxpayers resolve many disputes resulting from:
- Examinations (audits),
- Offers in compromise,
- Trust fund recovery penalties, and
- Other collection actions.
Most cases that are not docketed in any court qualify for fast track mediation. Mediation can take place at a conference you request with a supervisor, or later. The process involves an Appeals Officer who has been trained in mediation. You may represent yourself at the mediation session, or someone else can act as your representative. For more information, see Publication
3605.
Within a few weeks after your closing conference with the examiner and/or supervisor, you will receive a package with:
- A letter (known as a 30-day letter) notifying you of your right to appeal the proposed changes within 30
days,
- A copy of the examination report explaining the examiner's proposed
changes,
- An agreement or waiver form, and
- A copy of Publication 5.
You generally have 30 days from the date of the 30-day letter to tell the IRS whether you will accept or appeal the proposed changes. The letter will explain what steps you should take, depending on which action you choose. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
Appeal Rights
are explained later.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP59f31b2eIf you do not respond to the 30-day letter, or if you later do not reach an agreement with an Appeals Officer, the IRS will send you a 90-day letter, which is also known as a notice of deficiency.
You will have 90 days (150 days if it is addressed to you outside the United States) from the date of this notice to file a petition with the Tax Court. Filing a petition with the Tax Court is discussed later under
Appeals to the Courts and
Tax Court.
| The notice will show the 90th (and 150th) day by which you must file your petition with the Tax
Court. |
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP22eb09d1Generally, the IRS has 3 years from the date you filed your return (or the date the return was due, if later) to assess any additional tax. However, if you file your return timely (including extensions), interest and certain penalties will be suspended if the IRS does not mail a notice to you, stating your liability and the basis for that liability, within a 36-month period beginning on the later of:
- The date on which you filed your tax return, or
- The due date (without extensions) of your tax return.
If the IRS mails a notice after the 36-month period, interest and certain penalties applicable to the suspension period will be
suspended.
The suspension period begins the day after the close of the 36-month period and ends 21 days after the IRS mails a notice to you stating your liability and the basis for that liability. Also, the suspension period applies separately to each notice stating your liability and the basis for that liability received by
you.
| The suspension does not apply to a:
- Failure-to-pay penalty,
- Fraudulent tax return,
- Penalty, interest, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any tax liability shown on your return or with respect to any gross
misstatement,
- Penalty, interest, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any reportable transaction that is not adequately disclosed or any listed transaction,
or
- Criminal penalty.
|
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP1a3d1fe4You can seek relief if interest is assessed for periods during which interest should have been suspended because the IRS did not mail a notice to you in a timely
manner.
If you believe that interest was assessed with respect to a period during which interest should have been suspended, submit Form 843, writing "Section 6404(g) Notification" at the top of the form, with the IRS Service Center where you filed your return. The IRS will review the Form 843 and notify you whether interest will be abated. If the IRS does not abate interest, you can pay the disputed interest assessment and file a claim for refund. If your claim is denied or not acted upon within 6 months from the date you filed it, you can file suit for a refund in your United States District Court or in the United States Court of Federal
Claims.
If you believe that an IRS officer or employee has made an unreasonable error or delay in performing a ministerial or managerial act (discussed later under
Abatement of Interest Due to Error or Delay by the IRS), file Form 843 with the IRS Service Center where you filed the tax return. If the Service denies your claim, the Tax Court may be able to review that determination. See
Tax Court can review failure to abate interest, later under
Abatement of Interest Due to Error or Delay by the IRS.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP792dd5cf
If you agree with the examiner's changes after receiving the examination report
or the 30-day letter, sign and return either the examination report or the
waiver form. Keep a copy for your records. You can pay any additional amount you
owe without waiting for a bill. Include interest on the additional tax at the
applicable rate. This interest rate is usually for the period from the due date
of the return to the date of payment. The examiner can tell you the interest
rate(s) or help you figure the amount.
You must pay interest on penalties and on additional tax for failing to file returns, for overstating valuations, for understating valuations on estate and gift tax returns, and for substantially understating tax liability. Interest is generally figured from the date (including extensions) the tax return is required to be filed to the date you pay the penalty and/or additional
tax.
If you pay the amount due within 10 business days after the date of notice and demand for immediate payment, you will not have to pay any additional penalties and interest. This period is extended to 21 calendar days if the amount due is less than
$100,000.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP1370464dIf you think that you will owe additional tax at the end of the examination, you can stop the further accrual of interest by sending money to the IRS to cover all or part of the amount you think you will owe. Interest on part or all of any amount you owe will stop accruing on the date the IRS receives your money.
You can send an amount either in the form of a deposit in the nature of a cash bond or as a payment of tax. Both a deposit and a payment stop any further accrual of interest. However, making a deposit or payment will stop the accrual of interest on only the amount you sent. Because of compounding rules, interest will continue to accrue on accrued interest, even though you have paid the underlying
tax.
| To stop the accrual of interest on both tax and interest, you must make a deposit or payment for both the tax and interest that has accrued as of the date of deposit or
payment. |
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP4ea76e5bDeposits differ from payments in two ways:
- You can have all or part of your deposit returned to you without filing for a refund. However, if you request and receive your deposit and the IRS later assesses a deficiency for that period and type of tax, interest will be figured as if the funds were never on deposit. Also, your deposit will not be returned if one of the following situations
applies:
- The IRS assesses a tax liability.
- The IRS determines that, by returning the deposit, it may not be able to collect a future
deficiency.
- The IRS determines that the deposit should be applied against another tax
liability.
- Deposits returned to you will include interest based on the Federal short-term rate determined under section
6621(b).
The deposit returned will be treated as a tax payment to the extent of the disputed tax. A disputed tax means the amount of tax specified at the time of deposit as a reasonable estimate of the maximum amount of any tax owed by you, such as the deficiency proposed in the 30-day
letter.
If you send money before the IRS mails you a notice of deficiency, you can ask
the IRS to treat it as a deposit. You must make your request in writing.
If, after being notified of a proposed liability but before the IRS mails you a notice of deficiency, you send an amount large enough to cover the proposed liability, it will be considered a payment unless you request in writing that it be treated as a
deposit.
If the amount you send is at least as much as the proposed liability and you do not request that it be treated as a deposit, the IRS will not send you a notice of deficiency. If you do not receive a notice of deficiency, you cannot take your case to the Tax Court. See
Tax Court, later under
Appeal Rights.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP211e6b91
If, after the IRS mails the notice of deficiency, you send money without written
instructions, it will be treated as a payment. You will still be able to
petition the Tax Court.
If you send money after receiving a notice of deficiency and you have specified in writing that it is a "deposit in the nature of a cash bond," the IRS will treat it as a deposit if you send it before either:
- The close of the 90-day or 150-day period for filing a petition with the Tax Court to appeal the deficiency,
or
- The date the Tax Court decision is final, if you have filed a
petition.
If you agree with the examiner's proposed changes after the examination, your deposit will be applied against any amount you may owe. The IRS will not mail you a notice of deficiency and you will not have the right to take your case to the Tax
Court.
If you do not agree to the full amount of the deficiency after the examination, the IRS will mail you a notice of deficiency. Your deposit will be applied against the proposed deficiency unless you write to the IRS before the end of the 90-day or 150-day period stating that you still want the money to be treated as a deposit. You will still have the right to take your case to the Tax
Court.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP23427ed9You can request a monthly installment plan if you cannot pay the full amount you owe. To be valid, your request must be approved by the IRS. However, if you owe $10,000 or less in tax and you meet certain other criteria, the IRS must accept your
request.
| Before you request an installment agreement, you should consider other less costly alternatives, such as a bank loan. You will continue to be charged interest and penalties on the amount you owe until it is paid in full.
|
Unless your income is below a certain level, the fee for an approved installment agreement has increased to $105 ($52 if you make your payments by electronic funds withdrawal). If your income is below a certain level, you may qualify to pay a reduced fee of
$43.
For more information about installment agreements, see Form 9465, Installment Agreement
Request.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP6de96defIf you owe interest to the IRS on an underpayment for the same period the IRS owes you interest on an overpayment, the IRS will figure interest on the underpayment and overpayment at the same interest rate (up to the amount of the overpayment). As a result, the net rate is zero for that period.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP43702c5eThe IRS may abate (reduce) the amount of interest you owe if the interest is due to an unreasonable error or delay by an IRS officer or employee in performing a ministerial or managerial act (discussed later). Only the amount of interest on income, estate, gift, generation-skipping, and certain excise taxes can be reduced.
The amount of interest will not be reduced if you or anyone related to you contributed significantly to the error or delay. Also, the interest will be reduced only if the error or delay happened after the IRS contacted you in writing about the deficiency or payment on which the interest is based. An audit notification letter is such a contact.
The IRS cannot reduce the amount of interest due to a general administrative decision, such as a decision on how to organize the processing of tax returns.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP55651a9e
This is a procedural or mechanical act, not involving the exercise of judgment
or discretion, during the processing of a case after all prerequisites (for
example, conferences and review by supervisors) have taken place. A decision
concerning the proper application of federal tax law (or other federal or state
law) is not a ministerial act.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP788e017bExample 1.(p7)
You move from one state to another before the IRS selects your tax return for
examination. A letter stating that your return has been selected is sent to your
old address and then forwarded to your new address. When you get the letter, you
respond with a request that the examination be transferred to the area office
closest to your new address. The examination group manager approves your
request. After your request has been approved, the transfer is a ministerial
act. The IRS can reduce the interest because of any unreasonable delay in
transferring the case.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP6279e207Example 2.(p7)
An examination of your return reveals tax due for which a notice of deficiency
(90-day letter) will be issued. After you and the IRS discuss the issues, the
notice is prepared and reviewed. After the review process, issuing the notice of
deficiency is a ministerial act. If there is an unreasonable delay in sending
the notice of deficiency to you, the IRS can reduce the interest resulting from
the delay.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP56485240
This is an administrative act during the processing of a case that involves the
loss of records or the exercise of judgment or discretion concerning the
management of personnel. A decision concerning the proper application of federal
tax law (or other federal or state law) is not a managerial act.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP3c96c6cf
A revenue agent is examining your tax return. During the middle of the
examination, the agent is sent to an extended training course. The agent's
supervisor decides not to reassign your case, so the work is unreasonably
delayed until the agent returns. Interest from the unreasonable delay can be
abated since both the decision to send the agent to the training class and not
to reassign the case are managerial acts.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP0182009f
You request an abatement (reduction) of interest on Form 843. You should file
the claim with the IRS service center where you filed the tax return that was
affected by the error or delay.
If you have already paid the interest and you would like a credit or refund of interest paid, you must file Form 843 within 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the interest, whichever is later. If you have not paid any of the interest, these time limitations for filing Form 843 do not
apply.
Generally, you should file a separate Form 843 for each tax period and each type of tax. However, complete only one Form 843 if the interest is from an IRS error or delay that affected your tax for more than one tax period or for more than one type of tax (for example, where 2 or more tax years were being
examined).
If your request for abatement of interest is denied, you can appeal the decision to the IRS Appeals
Office.
taxmap/pubs/p556-000.htm#TXMP2acf1c90
The Tax Court can review the IRS' refusal to abate (reduce) interest if all of
the following requirements are met.
- You filed a request for abatement of interest (Form 843) with the IRS after July
30,1996.
- The IRS has mailed you a notice of final determination or a notice of
disallowance.
- You file a petition with the Tax Court within 180 days of the mailing of the notice of final determination or the notice of
disallowance.
The following requirements must also be met.
- For individual and estate taxpayers — your net worth must not exceed $2 million as of the filing date of your petition for review. For this purpose, individuals filing a joint return shall be treated as separate
individuals.
- For charities and certain cooperatives — you must not have more than 500 employees as of the filing date of your petition for
review.
- For all other taxpayers — your net worth must not exceed $7 million, and you must not have more than 500 employees as of the filing date of your petition for
review.
If you are (or were) affected by a Presidentially declared disaster occurring after 1996 or a terrorist or military action occurring after September 10, 2001, the IRS may abate (reduce) the amount of interest you owe on certain taxes. The IRS may abate interest for the period of any additional time to file or pay that the IRS provides on account of the disaster or the terrorist or military action. The IRS will issue a notice or news release indicating who are affected taxpayers and stating the period of relief.
If you are eligible for relief from interest, but were charged interest for the period of relief, the IRS may retroactively abate your interest. To the extent possible, the IRS can take the following actions.
- Make appropriate adjustments to your account.
- Notify you when the adjustments are made.
- Refund any interest paid by you where appropriate.
For more information on disaster area losses, see
Disaster Area Losses in Publication
547. For more information on other tax relief for victims of terrorist attacks, see Publication
3920.
In certain circumstances, the IRS will allow you to pay less than the full amount you owe. If you think you may qualify, you should submit your offer by filing Form 656, Offer in Compromise. The IRS may accept your offer for any of the following reasons.
- There is doubt about the amount you owe (or whether you owe
it).
- There is doubt as to whether you can pay the amount you owe based on your financial
situation.
- An economic hardship would result if you had to pay the full amount
owed.
- Your case presents compelling reasons that the IRS determines are a sufficient basis for
compromise.
If your offer is rejected, you have 30 days to ask the Appeals Office of the IRS to reconsider your offer.
| The IRS offers fast track mediation services to help taxpayers resolve many issues including a dispute regarding an offer in compromise. For more information, see Publication
3605.
|
Generally, if you submit an offer in compromise, the IRS will delay certain collection activities. The IRS usually will not levy (take) your property to settle your tax bill during the following periods.
- While the IRS is evaluating your offer in compromise.
- The 30 days immediately after the offer is rejected.
- While your timely-filed appeal is being considered by Appeals.
Also, if the IRS rejects your original offer and you submit a revised offer within 30 days of the rejection, the IRS generally will not levy your property while it considers your revised
offer.
For more information about submitting an offer in compromise, see Form 656.
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