Publication 564 - Mutual Fund Distributions - Internal Revenue Service

TeleTax topics (recorded tax information) you

forms, instructions, and publications, and

How To Get Tax Help

can listen to on your telephone.

prior-year forms and instructions. You

Accessible versions of IRS published prod-

should receive your order within 10 days.

ucts are available on request in a variety of

You can get help with unresolved tax issues,

•

Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with

alternative formats for people with disabilities.

order free publications and forms, ask tax ques-

your tax questions at 1-800-829-1040.

tions, and get information from the IRS in sev-

Free help with your return. Free help in pre-

•

Solving problems. You can get

eral ways. By selecting the method that is best

paring your return is available nationwide from

face-to-face help solving tax problems

for you, you will have quick and easy access to

IRS-trained volunteers. The Volunteer Income

every business day in IRS Taxpayer As-

tax help.

Tax Assistance (VITA) program is designed to

sistance Centers. An employee can ex-

help low-income taxpayers and the Tax Coun-

Contacting your Taxpayer Advocate. The

plain IRS letters, request adjustments to

seling for the Elderly (TCE) program is designed

Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an inde-

your account, or help you set up a pay-

to assist taxpayers age 60 and older with their

pendent organization within the IRS whose em-

ment plan. Call your local Taxpayer Assis-

tax returns. Many VITA sites offer free electronic

ployees assist taxpayers who are experiencing

tance Center for an appointment. To find

filing and all volunteers will let you know about

economic harm, who are seeking help in resolv-

the number, go to

credits and deductions you may be entitled to

ing tax problems that have not been resolved

tacts

or look in the phone book under

claim. To find the nearest VITA or TCE site, call

through normal channels, or who believe that an

United States Government, Internal Reve-

1-800-829-1040.

IRS system or procedure is not working as it

nue Service.

As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the

should. Here are seven things every taxpayer

•

Tax-Aide counseling program. To find the near-

TTY/TDD equipment. If you have access

should know about TAS:

est AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or

to TTY/TDD equipment, call

•

TAS is your voice at the IRS.

visit AARP’s website at

1-800-829-4059 to ask tax questions or to

•

taxaide.

order forms and publications.

Our service is free, confidential, and tai-

For more information on these programs, go

lored to meet your needs.

•

TeleTax topics. Call 1-800-829-4477 to lis-

and enter keyword “VITA” in the

•

ten to pre-recorded messages covering

You may be eligible for TAS help if you

upper right-hand corner.

various tax topics.

have tried to resolve your tax problem

Internet. You can access the IRS web-

through normal IRS channels and have

•

Refund information. To check the status of

site at

24 hours a day, 7

gotten nowhere, or you believe an IRS

your 2009 refund, call 1-800-829-1954

days a week to:

procedure just isn’t working as it should.

during business hours or 1-800-829-4477

•

E-file your return. Find out about commer-

(automated refund information 24 hours a

TAS helps taxpayers whose problems are

cial tax preparation and e-file services

day, 7 days a week). Wait at least 72

causing financial difficulty or significant

available free to eligible taxpayers.

hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt

cost, including the cost of professional

of your e-filed return, or 3 to 4 weeks after

representation. This includes businesses

•

Check the status of your 2009 refund. Go

mailing a paper return. If you filed Form

as well as individuals.

and click on Where’s My

8379 with your return, wait 14 weeks (11

•

Refund. Wait at least 72 hours after the

TAS employees know the IRS and how to

weeks if you filed electronically). Have

IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed

navigate it. We will listen to your problem,

your 2009 tax return available so you can

return, or 3 to 4 weeks after mailing a

help you understand what needs to be

provide your social security number, your

paper return. If you filed Form 8379 with

done to resolve it, and stay with you every

filing status, and the exact whole dollar

your return, wait 14 weeks (11 weeks if

step of the way until your problem is re-

amount of your refund. Refunds are sent

you filed electronically). Have your 2009

solved.

out weekly on Fridays. If you check the

tax return available so you can provide

•

status of your refund and are not given the

TAS has at least one local taxpayer advo-

your social security number, your filing

date it will be issued, please wait until the

cate in every state, the District of Colum-

status, and the exact whole dollar amount

next week before checking back.

bia, and Puerto Rico. You can call your

of your refund.

local advocate, whose number is in your

•

Other refund information. To check the

•

Download forms, instructions, and publica-

phone book, in Pub. 1546, Taxpayer Ad-

status of a prior year refund or amended

tions.

vocate Service — Your Voice at the IRS,

return refund, call 1-800-829-1954.

and on our website at

/advo-

•

Order IRS products online.

cate. You can also call our toll-free line at

Evaluating the quality of our telephone

•

Research your tax questions online.

1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD

services. To ensure IRS representatives give

1-800-829-4059.

•

Search publications online by topic or

accurate, courteous, and professional answers,

•

keyword.

we use several methods to evaluate the quality

You can learn about your rights and re-

of our telephone services. One method is for a

sponsibilities as a taxpayer by visiting our

•

Use the online Internal Revenue Code,

second IRS representative to listen in on or

online tax toolkit at

Regulations, or other official guidance.

record random telephone calls. Another is to ask

•

View Internal Revenue Bulletins (IRBs)

some callers to complete a short survey at the

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs).

published in the last few years.

end of the call.

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic program

serves individuals who have a problem with the

•

Figure your withholding allowances using

Walk-in. Many products and services

IRS and whose income is below a certain level.

the withholding calculator online at

www.

are available on a walk-in basis.

LITCs are independent from the IRS. Most

irs.gov/individuals.

LITCs can provide representation before the

•

Determine if Form 6251 must be filed by

•

IRS or in court on audits, tax collection disputes,

Products. You can walk in to many post

using our Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

and other issues for free or a small fee. If an

offices, libraries, and IRS offices to pick up

Assistant.

individual’s native language is not English, some

certain forms, instructions, and publica-

clinics can provide multilingual information

•

tions. Some IRS offices, libraries, grocery

about taxpayer rights and responsibilities. For

stores, copy centers, city and county gov-

news by email.

more information, see Publication 4134, Low

ernment offices, credit unions, and office

•

Get information on starting and operating

Income Taxpayer Clinic List. This publication is

supply stores have a collection of products

a small business.

available at , by calling

available to print from a CD or photocopy

1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676), or at your

from reproducible proofs. Also, some IRS

local IRS office.

offices and libraries have the Internal Rev-

Phone. Many services are available by

enue Code, regulations, Internal Revenue

Free tax services. To find out what services

Bulletins, and Cumulative Bulletins avail-

phone.

are available, get Publication 910, IRS Guide to

able for research purposes.

Free Tax Services. It contains lists of free tax

•

information sources, including publications,

Ordering forms, instructions, and publica-

Services. You can walk in to your local

services, and free tax education and assistance

Taxpayer Assistance Center every busi-

tions. Call 1-800-TAX FORM

programs. It also has an index of over 100

ness day for personal, face-to-face tax

(1-800-829-3676) to order current-year

Page 14

Publication 564 (2009)

Publication 564 - Mutual Fund Distributions - Internal Revenue Service - 2009 Page 14

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories