Tax Trouble? Remember, You Have the Right to a Representative

One of the 10 fundamental rights guaranteed to taxpayers by the IRS’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights is the right to representation. This means you’re allowed to have an authorized representative of your choice (such as a CPA, attorney or other qualified professional) to advise or represent you in dealings with the IRS. If the IRS doesn’t specifically request your presence, your representative can appear in your place. In most cases, the IRS must suspend an interview with you if you ask to consult a representative. Taxpayers who can’t afford to hire a representative are entitled to seek assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic to help resolve IRS disputes and U.S. Tax Court matters.