Redesigned Government Website Helps Taxpayers Tackle 2014 Taxes, Other Tax Issues
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) April 14, 2015 -- As taxpayers face the worst filing season in more than a decade in terms of IRS customer service, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems, has launched a redesigned website to help people navigate common tax issues and situations on their 2014 returns and beyond.
“It’s vital that all taxpayers have access to clear, concise information to help them understand and address their sometimes complex tax issues,” said National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson. “Our redesigned Tax Toolkit enables taxpayers to quickly find the resources they need to understand and take steps to resolve these issues.”
The redesigned site is optimized to enable users seeking help on a range of common tax issues – from finding a refund to navigating an audit – to find information quickly, and from any device. Each issue page provides general information, offers next steps, advises about possible consequences of action or non-action, and suggests further resources. Some common issues – like “I can’t pay my taxes” – also include videos to explain the basics and guide taxpayers through their options.
Each tax issue page also links to elements of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Adopted by the IRS in 2014, these 10 rights apply to all taxpayer interactions with the IRS. The site explains what each right means to taxpayers and provides easily digestible examples and related resources.
Additional site enhancements include:
- Enhanced User Experience: Developed using responsive web design, the redesigned Tax Toolkit now enables people to more easily find tax information on the go via their smartphones and other mobile devices.
- News & Information: As tax law continues to evolve, taxpayers can find timely, reliable information to help them address issues with their tax accounts and prevent future problems. The site also features Congressional testimony, blog posts, and other writings by the National Taxpayer Advocate.
- Estimators: TAS developed these tools to give taxpayers more information about how issues directly affect them, particularly issues related to the Affordable Care Act. Current tools include an estimator for the Premium Tax Credit and for Individual Shared Responsibility payments.
To learn more, visit http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov.
About the Taxpayer Advocate Service
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. You can find your local advocate’s number at http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov, or call TAS toll-free at 1–877–777–4778. TAS can help if you need assistance resolving an IRS problem, if your problem is causing financial difficulty, or if you believe an IRS system or procedure isn’t working as it should — and our service is free. For more information about TAS and your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, go to http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov.
Maryclaire Ramsey, Taxpayer Advocate Service, (202) 317-3255, [email protected]
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