What are your rights as a taxpayer?

August, 01 2014 by Karen Reed, EA

In June, the IRS and National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson announced the adoption of the new “Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” which includes ten codified provisions from various sections of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS Publication 1 is now available in six languages and has been updated to include the complete list of rights. 
 

As we prepare and file our taxes, endeavor to understand our tax laws, and reach out to our government agencies for assistance, these rights help define our attitudes and expectations. Keep these fundamental rights in mind as you navigate our increasingly complex tax system:
 

• The Right to Be Informed
• The Right to Quality Service
• The Right to Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax
• The Right to Challenge the IRS’s Position and Be Heard
• The Right to Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum
• The Right to Finality
• The Right to Privacy
• The Right to Confidentiality
• The Right to Retain Representation
• The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System

For detailed explanations of each right please visit IRS.gov.