Taxpayers Bill of Rights and Taxpayer Rights Advocate

Another provision of the law states that if the IRS believes additional taxes are owed, the agency must send the taxpayer a written notice that explains and identifies all amounts due. The IRS must also describe the procedures that it will use to collect any amounts due. Previously, the IRS generally explained the basis for a tax deficiency but was not required to explain penalties or how they would be collected. In most cases, the department has three years from the date a tax return is due or filed, whichever is later, to audit your tax return and assess any additional tax, penalty, and interest due. A taxpayer also generally has three years to claim a refund of any tax overpaid.

You have the right to know the deadline for challenging the Department of Finance’s position. You have the right to know the maximum amount of time the Department of Finance has to audit a specific tax year or collect a tax debt. You have the right to know the maximum amount of time you have to request a refund of taxes. You have the right to know when the Department of Finance has finished an audit. You have the right to know when and how the Department of Finance can collect a tax that is due.

They have the right to be informed of IRS decisions about their tax accounts and to receive clear explanations of the outcomes. Taxpayers have the right to know what they need to do to comply with the tax laws. They are entitled to clear explanations of the laws and IRS procedures in all tax forms, instructions, publications, notices, and correspondence.

The Right to Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum

However, if the tax was paid by withholding or estimated payments, and you failed to timely file a return, any refund must be claimed within two years from the original due date of the return. This authority is granted under Title 40, Chapter 2A, Code of Alabama 1975. At first blush the TBOR may seem to be no more than window dressing because it does not codify legal remedies for violations of the enumerated taxpayer rights. Nevertheless, we argue that by its explicit use of the language of rights and by its adoption by the IRS and enactment by Congress, the TBOR generates a powerful normative force that supports enforcement. That force, in turn, can change the behavior of the IRS toward taxpayers and support calls for Congress, Treasury, or the courts to fashion legal remedies.

They point out that almost 90% of state tax revenues are now already earmarked for various purposes, handicapping the state legislature and giving it very little flexibility. For years the IRS has published different procedures, processes and taxpayer expectations throughout different publications its offered to the public. But just like the Bill of Rights in our constitution, the agency has boiled it all down to ten overarching taxpayer right’s and expectations of the agency and released it to the public just a few weeks ago. It’s important to note, during ANY dealings with the IRS you’re allowed to use legal counsel.

At the Department of Revenue our top priority is to treat each, and every taxpayer fairly, professionally, and courteously. To this end, quality customer service is part of every department employee’s job. We expect our staff to interact with taxpayers in a polite and respectful manner, and, at the same time, work to answer your questions or resolve any problems as quickly as possible.

Likewise, we may audio record an in-person interview with you, provided we notify you at least 24 hours prior to your interview or if you have arranged to audio record your interview. In order to obtain a copy of any transcript or audio recording made by the Department, you must make a written request and pay the established fee. Our format in the JOTA piece is a bit unconventional, as it is a dialogue in which we ask and answer challenging questions. We believe this format clarifies the fundamental issues raised by the concept of taxpayer rights and best illuminates some of the tensions generated.

We have followed that piece with another, expanded and more conventional treatment of the subject, which is scheduled for publication in Tax Notes on November 27, 2017 and will be available on SSRN a month later. Also, an important function of the Taxpayer Ombudsman is

to confer with DOR employees when you have a problem

or conflict that you have been unable to resolve. However,

it is not the role of the Ombudsman to intercede in an audit, handle a protest, waive taxes, penalty or interest, or answer

technical tax questions. The web pages currently in English on the FTB website are the official and accurate source for tax information and services we provide. Any differences created in the translation are not binding on the FTB and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If you have any questions related to the information contained in the translation, refer to the English version.

Understanding Taxpayer Bill Of Rights-TABOR

The allowance for spending to grow at the rate of inflation plus population growth means that inflation-adjusted per capita spending generally did not decrease. However, spending growth could be interrupted due to an economic recession, in which case inflation-adjusted per capita spending did decrease—and TABOR did not permit inflation-adjusted per capita spending to return to its pre-recession level. Taxpayers have the right to know the maximum amount of time they have to challenge the IRS’s position as well as the maximum amount of time the IRS has to audit a particular tax year or collect a tax debt.

• Forms, publications, and all applications, such as your MyFTB account, cannot be translated using this Google™ translation application tool.
• You have the right to have someone help you in your dealings with the Department of Finance.
• The bill of rights requires the IRS to explain the audit and collection process to the taxpayer before any initial audit or collection interviews and to include on all tax notices a description of the basis for taxes, interest, or penalties due.
• The Taxpayer Advocate also has broad authority to issue Taxpayer Assistance Orders.

You also have the right to expect that the Department of Finance will respect all due process rights, including search and seizure protections. The California Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights requires us to adequately protect the rights, privacy, and property of all California taxpayers when we assess or collect tax. As the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, I know that our state’s vibrant economy is not the result of luck; it is the result of your hard work, your initiative and your investment in our state. Taxpayers have the right to retain an authorized representative of their choice to represent them in their dealings with the IRS.

Local Governments

If a final assessment is entered, you will be notified in writing and advised that you may appeal to either the Alabama Tax Tribunal or to circuit court. If you don’t appeal within the 90 days, you can appeal Taxpayer bill of rights within two years after you pay the tax, penalty, and interest. If you didn’t appeal a refund adjustment within 30 days, you may appeal to the Magistrate Division within 120 days from the date of our notice.

​The DOR has a Taxpayer Ombudsman whose job is to serve as

an advocate for taxpayers’ rights. One of the main functions

of the Ombudsman is to ensure that your rights as a Kentucky

taxpayer are protected. You have the right to advice and assistance from the DOR in

complying with state tax laws. You have the right to expect that any inquiry, examination, or enforcement action by the Department of Finance will follow the law. You have the right to expect that any such action by the Department of Finance be no more intrusive than necessary.

“At their core, taxpayer rights are human rights.”

Taxpayers have the right to be told that if they cannot afford to hire a representative they may be eligible for assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Taxpayers have the right to pay only the amount of tax legally due, including interest and penalties, and to have the IRS apply all tax payments properly. It will be interesting to see whether the district court decides this issue or finds another way to dispose of the case. Regardless of whether the court addresses the issue, this will not be the last word and one can expect that the Tax Court will be called upon at some point to address issues related to the interpretation and implementation of the TBOR. Depending on the outcome of judicial decisions, it is possible that Congress may be called upon to address the TBOR in more detail.

The department will not disclose taxpayer information unless authorized by the taxpayer or by law. They also add that the process has not been as “democratic” as its advocates purport, citing the off-year voting and complex wording that may skew results. In 2014 the IRS adopted a Taxpayer Bill of Rights as proposed by the former National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights groups the existing rights in the tax code into ten fundamental rights, and makes them clear, understandable, and accessible. Specifically, it references a law passed by Congress in 1988 and amended in 1996 that specifies how the IRS must handle appeals and liens related to challenges by taxpayers.

If you think you are not

being treated fairly or if you have a problem or complaint,

please contact the Ombudsman for assistance. You have the right to file a claim for actual and direct monetary

damages with the Kentucky Claims Commission if a DOR

employee willfully, recklessly, and intentionally disregards

your rights as a Kentucky taxpayer. You have the right to privacy with regard to information you

provide pertaining to returns, reports, or the affairs of your

business. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use “georgia.gov” or “ga.gov” at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you’re on an official state website. They are entitled to be treated with respect and to be spoken to in a way that they can understand.

You have a right to receive a written response to your appeal or your Conciliation Conference. You have the right to be told when and how you can file a case with the Tax Commission, the Tax Appeals Tribunal and the New York Supreme Court. Taxpayers are entitled to a fair and impartial administrative appeal of most IRS decisions, including many penalties, and have the right to receive a written response regarding the Office of Appeals’ decision. Under the bill of rights, the IRS is authorized to make installment agreements with taxpayers to alleviate the burden on a taxpayer who would experience financial hardship if forced to make a lump-sum payment.

Your Government

You have the right to write to and/or speak to a supervisor about poor service. Taxpayers have the right to be informed and receive clear and easily understandable communication from the department. Many advocates of a more libertarian view, such as Americans for Limited Government, say that reduced taxation is a noble goal for its own sake, leading to increases in financial freedom and economic prosperity. Others note that Colorado has continued growth as well as larger tax revenues concurrent with the TABOR act. Taxpayers have the right to pay only the amount of tax legally due and to have the IRS apply all tax payments properly.

It was not actually a charter of rights but, rather, sought to tie increases in taxes caused by such factors as inflation and population to a referendum. TABOR referendums in Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon failed to pass, and TABOR laws exist in no other states, although they do appear in some counties and cities. Taxpayers have the right to raise objections and provide additional information regarding proposed liabilities or proposed actions by OTR and to expect that OTR will consider their timely objections in a fair and consistent manner. Taxpayers have the right to a response if the District does not agree with their position. Taxpayers have the right to expect the tax system to consider facts and circumstances that might affect their underlying liabilities, ability to pay, or ability to provide information timely.