ANTenna Blog -- Business & E-Business

Taking on the IRS may seem folly, but if your tax return is adjusted, you can contest the examination and appeal the adjustment. But to have a chance of winning your appeal, you need to know your rights.

Before you consider an appeal, know that more than 100,000 cases are resolved through IRS process each year. The Office of Appeals is independent of the IRS and exist resolve disputes without going to trial. So know your rights before you take on the tax collector, starting with these 5 important facts:

1. When the IRS makes an adjustment to your tax return, they will send you a report or a letter explaining the proposed adjustments. This letter will alert you of your right to request a conference with an Appeals office and how to put in a request for such a conference.
2. In addition to examinations, many other things can be appealed. You can also appeal penalties, interest, trust fund recovery penalties, offers in compromise, liens and levies.
3. If you request an Appeals conference, be prepared with records and documentation to support your position.
4. Appeals conferences are informal meetings. You may represent yourself or have someone else represent you. Those allowed to represent taxpayers include attorneys, accountants, or individual enrolled to practice before the IRS.
5. If you do not reach agreement with IRS Appeals or if you do not wish to appeal within the IRS, you may appeal certain actions through the courts.

For more about the appeals process, visit the appeals page on IRS.gov.

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