Tax Tip 2023-32: What the Right to Quality Service means for taxpayers

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Issue Number:  Tax Tip 2023-32

What the Right to Quality Service means for taxpayers

All taxpayers should know their rights, especially when they’re working with the IRS on a tax matter. IRS employees should also be familiar with knowing, observing and protecting taxpayers’ rights. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights lists and defines 10 fundamental rights of every taxpayer. On this list is the Right to Quality Service. Let’s take a closer look at the Right to Quality Service and what it means for taxpayers.

Taxpayers have the right to:

• Receive prompt, courteous, and professional assistance from the IRS.
• Be spoken to in a way they can easily understand.
• Receive clear and easily understandable communications from the IRS.
• Speak to a supervisor about inadequate service.

Here are some things taxpayers can expect when working with the IRS:

• IRS representatives will listen objectively. They will consider all relevant information prior to giving the taxpayer an answer.
• IRS representatives will answer questions promptly, accurately and thoroughly, and will give the taxpayer information on recourse and applicable appeal rights.
• When collecting tax, IRS representatives will treat people with courtesy.
• When contacting taxpayers, the IRS usually only contacts taxpayers between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• IRS representatives won’t contact the taxpayer’s employer if they know the employer doesn’t allow such contact.
• IRS representatives won’t make aggressive phone calls that threaten arrest or prison time.
• IRS representatives must provide the taxpayer with information about how to get help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service in all statutory notices of deficiency.
• If someone is eligible for assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, the IRS will provide information about options for legal help.

Taxpayers can find answers to most tax questions on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can also contact the IRS directly by calling the number on the top right corner of all notices and letters.

More information
Taxpayer Advocate Service
Publication 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund
Forms and Publications About Your Appeal Rights
Publication 594, The IRS Collection Process 

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