I worked for the IRS for 10 years and have spent the last 28 years representing taxpayers before them. Here are some great tips that can make your time with the IRS more pleasant.
How to effectively deal with the IRS over the telephone.
Here are the “10 Golden Tips”
1. It is helpful to know the process of your case and its movement within the system. There are flow charts available to follow your case. You can review the process at the IRS website, IRS.gov.
2. Have your transcript from the IRS available so you are looking at the same records that the IRS employee has in the computer system. Order a free transcript by calling 1-800-829-1040.
3. Upon first contact with the IRS, make sure you know the name and ID number of each IRS employee you spoke with including the date and time of each call. They will provide their name and ID when answering the call.
4. If you call the IRS back on the same matter you will usually speak to a different IRS representative. This is normal and do not be concerned. The IRS routes their calls all over the United States. The IRS is available for calls up to 8:00 pm EST.
5. The IRS usually will not call you back. They will tell you they can only take an incoming call and they will not give out their direct telephone numbers. This can be very frustrating.
6. The IRS employees handling the case over the telephone, in most cases, are not able to get their supervisor on the line. They will tell you the supervisor will call you back within 2 to 3 days. Unfortunately, the call back from a supervisor does not always come.
7. Have all records in front of you when you call the IRS so you will not have to call back a second time.
8. Know the agent you are talking with. Each agent has their own style and is going through their own life stresses. You will sense this by the first hello. Sometimes it is better to say you will call back.
9. Make sure you call back when the IRS employee gives you a date. If you do not, the IRS computer will move your case into enforcement.
10. You can always contact the Taxpayer’s Advocate if you do not get the results you are looking for.
