7 Rights All Taxpayers Have While Under IRS Debt Collection

1. RepresentationAlthough the IRS is allowed to contact third parties
First and foremost, you have the right to representabout your IRS debt without your consent, you do
yourself before the IRS to dispute any unpaid taxeshave the right to request a list of all the people
or additional fees. Alternatively, you have the right tocontacted.
seek help from a professional to represent you5. Meeting Companion
before the IRS. However, the person must be aTaxpayers also have the right to have someone
person allowed to practice before the IRS, such as aaccompany them during interviews with IRS
tax attorney, certified public accountant, or IRSrepresentatives. You can even make audio recordings
enrolled agent.of any meetings for your records.
2. Protection of Rights6. Good Faith
According to the IRS' code, all employees mustIf you can show that you acted reasonably and in
explain and protect your rights throughout allgood faith and/or relied on bad advice from an IRS
contacts and negotiations.representative, you have the right to request all that
3. Confidentialityall penalties assessed by the IRS be waived.
The IRS is not allowed to disclose information given7. IRS Appeals Office
to the IRS to anyone, except as authorized by law.If you disagree with the IRS on the amount of the
Additionally, you have the right to know how thetax liability or collection actions taken by the IRS, you
information will be used, and what happens if theeven have the right to ask a court or the IRS
requested information is not provided.Appeals Office to review the case.
4. Records of Contacts