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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIf you have tried to resolve a tax problem with the IRS and still have no answer, identify the issue and any notice deadline, then check whether the free Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) may be able to help. If your income is limited or you need representation, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) may be another option. For collection disputes, use the appeal procedure that matches the IRS action and the instructions on your notice.
First, organize the problem and protect your deadline
Before contacting another office, gather the facts that explain what is unresolved and what needs to happen next. Keep copies of IRS notices, letters, and earlier correspondence.
- Tax year and the notice or letter number.
- The issue in dispute, such as a balance, refund, audit, lien, levy, or installment agreement.
- The response or payment deadline printed on the notice.
- When and how you contacted the IRS, what you were told, and any date by which the IRS promised a response.
- Any immediate effect on your finances, income, or ability to meet basic needs.
Use the [TAS Get Help pages](https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/get-help/) to look up a notice by number when available. If you owe a balance, timing can matter; TAS recommends checking your IRS Online Account, contacting the IRS about the balance, or requesting an account transcript as appropriate. The right response depends on why the amount is owed and your circumstances, so do not ignore a notice while seeking help.
How do I get help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service?
TAS is an independent organization within the IRS. It provides free help to taxpayers who cannot resolve a problem through normal IRS channels and whose cases meet its assistance criteria. Start with the [TAS qualifier tool](https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/can-tas-help-me-with-my-tax-issue/). Its broad categories include financial hardship, IRS system problems, and fair and equitable treatment. A tool result is only an initial screen: a TAS advocate decides whether to accept a case after reviewing the request.
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Situations that may qualify
Examples of potential grounds include:
- An IRS action or delay is putting your ability to afford necessities or maintain income at risk, causing significant costs, or creating irreparable harm.
- The IRS has taken more than 30 days beyond its normal processing time to resolve an issue.
- The IRS did not respond or resolve the matter by a date it promised.
- An IRS system or procedure did not work as intended.
These examples are not a guarantee of acceptance. Explain how your case fits a potential ground and what harm or deadline is involved.
Requesting TAS assistance
You can submit [Form 911, Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance](https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/), use the submission methods listed on the TAS contact page, contact a local TAS office, or call 1-877-777-4778. TAS says its service is free. For a clear request, describe the unresolved issue, the IRS contacts you have already tried, the reason you believe TAS criteria apply, and any urgent harm or deadline. The exact supporting information needed depends on the case.
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The TAS contact page, accessed October 2026, warns that request volume is high and says return calls or replies may take up to two weeks. That estimate may change; do not assume a request pauses or extends a deadline on an IRS notice.
Can a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic help with an IRS dispute?
An LITC may be a better fit when you need representation and meet a clinic’s income and case criteria. LITCs are independent from both TAS and the IRS. They may represent qualifying taxpayers in audits, appeals, collection matters, and other disputes before the IRS or in court, usually at no cost or for a small fee. Clinics also provide education and language outreach, including information for people who use English as a second language.
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IRS guidance says the disputed amount is usually less than $50,000 for LITC qualification; “usually” is a general guideline, not an absolute cutoff. Income thresholds and clinic capacity vary, so contact a clinic to find out whether it can take your case. Use the [TAS LITC locator](https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about-us/low-income-taxpayer-clinics-litc/) or [IRS Publication 4134](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4134.pdf) to find clinics.
Which route fits your tax problem?
| Route | What it can do | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Taxpayer Advocate Service | Free help with qualifying cases involving hardship, IRS delays or system problems, or fairness concerns. | An advocate makes the final acceptance decision after reviewing your request. |
| Low Income Taxpayer Clinic | Free or low-cost representation for qualifying people; clinics may handle disputes before the IRS or in court. | Income rules, case fit, and clinic capacity apply. |
| IRS Independent Office of Appeals through the Collection Appeals Program | Administrative review for certain collection disagreements. | Available steps, forms, sequence, and deadlines depend on the IRS action and your contact history. |
| Paid tax professional | May provide individualized representation or assistance. | Fees and services vary. First check whether free TAS help or qualifying LITC representation fits your situation. |
TAS reported that in 2024 it represented over 21,000 taxpayers, educated over 175,000 taxpayers and service providers, secured over $10 million in refunds, and helped decrease or correct over $53 million in tax liabilities. These are program-level totals, not a forecast of what TAS can do in an individual case. See the [TAS annual report statistics](https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/reports/).
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For a collection dispute, follow the appeal path for the specific action
The Collection Appeals Program (CAP) may apply to certain lien, levy, seizure, or installment-agreement actions. TAS guidance describes first requesting a conference with a Collection manager and then asking the IRS Independent Office of Appeals to review the matter if it remains unresolved. The procedure can differ depending on whether a revenue officer has contacted you.
Read the specific notice and follow its appeal instructions and deadlines. Consult the IRS’s [Collection Appeal Program guidance](https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/get-help/roadmap-to-appeals/collection-appeal-program/) for the process; do not assume one form or sequence applies to every collection action.
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What to do while waiting for help
- Keep a dated record of calls, letters, submissions, and any IRS or TAS response.
- Continue to track every deadline in the notice. A TAS request or clinic inquiry should not be treated as an extension unless the IRS confirms that it is.
- If the amount due or account history is unclear, review your IRS Online Account or request a transcript before choosing a payment or dispute option.
- If you need a representative but cannot afford one, contact an LITC promptly; the clinic must confirm whether it can help and whether you qualify.
This is general U.S. federal tax-problem information, not an eligibility determination or individualized legal or tax advice. Program criteria, clinic availability, and IRS procedures can change.
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