The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS. We help taxpayers whose problems with the IRS are causing financial difficulties; who have tried but have not been able to resolve their problems with the IRS; and those who believe an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should. Here are some things every taxpayer should know about TAS:

TAS is your voice at the IRS. TAS is an independent organization within the IRS and helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommend changes that will prevent the problems. Congress created TAS to help individuals and business taxpayers resolve problems they are having with the IRS. TAS addresses individual problems as well as large-scale, systemic issues that affect groups of taxpayers.

TAS can help if you can’t resolve your problem with the IRS and:

• your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family, or your business.

• you face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action.

• you have tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded, or the IRS has not responded by the date promised.

If you qualify for our help, we’ll do everything we can to get your problem resolved. You will be assigned to one advocate who will be with you at every turn.

We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Although TAS is independent within the IRS, our advocates know how to work with the IRS to get your problems resolved, and our services are always free.

Qualifying taxpayers will receive personalized service from a knowledgeable taxpayer advocate who will:

• listen to their problems,

• help them understand what needs to be done to resolve the problems, and

• stay with them every step of the way until the problems are resolved.

We have an office located at 949 E. 36th Suite 209, Anchorage, AK 99508. You can call us at 907-271-6877. We also have a (Virtual Service Delivery) system in the Kenai Public Library. This is an interactive communication tool for anyone that has a tax problem with the Internal Revenue Service can use. It will allow you to interact directly with my office.

As a taxpayer, you have rights the IRS must respect in its dealings with you. Our tax toolkit at http://www.TaxpayerAdvocate.irs.gov can help you understand those rights and how to protect them.

Kristia Douts is the IRS Taxpayer Advocate for Alaska.