Help with IRS problems: free help, paid representatives and what to avoid
Help with IRS problems comes from three places: your own IRS account, free help from TAS and LITCs, and licensed EAs, CPAs or attorneys. How to choose.
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Help with IRS problems: free help, paid representatives and what to avoid
Unlimited representation rights: Enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys.
Taxpayer Advocate Service cost: Always free.
LITC income limit: Generally 250% of federal poverty guidelines.
Most people who owe back taxes can set up a payment plan, request penalty relief and check their balance on their own, at no cost beyond any IRS user fee.
Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, lets an eligible professional represent you and act on your behalf with the IRS.
Choose a tax help company by checking who will actually handle your case and what that person's credential is, then compare the proposed fee with what the IRS itself charges.
Match the help to the problem: simple balances need self-service, stuck cases need TAS, low-income disputes suit an LITC, and complex or high-stakes cases justify a paid representative.
