Q: Is there a department for escalating tax lien issues that’s not the typical IRS phone system?
My income is tax exempt. The IRS wiped my bank account today by mistake (I hope it was a mistake!).
A:
Based on the situation you've described, here are a few key points and potential next steps:
1. Escalation options: While there's no specific "escalation department" outside the IRS phone system, there are alternative ways to address urgent tax lien issues:
- Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS): An independent organization within the IRS that can help with severe financial hardships or when normal IRS channels have failed.
- Local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center: For in-person help with complex issues.
- Contact your local elected representatives: They may be able to assist with urgent IRS matters.
2. Tax-exempt income: If your income is genuinely tax-exempt, it's crucial to ensure this is properly documented with the IRS to prevent future issues.
3. Erroneous levy: If the IRS has mistakenly levied your account, you should act quickly:
- Contact the IRS immediately to explain the situation.
- File a claim for return of levied property (Form 843).
- Consider seeking help from a tax attorney or enrolled agent.
4. Documentation: Gather all relevant documentation proving your tax-exempt status and any correspondence with the IRS.
5. California-specific resources: Since you're in California, you might also want to check with the California Franchise Tax Board for state-specific assistance.
Given the urgency and complexity of your situation, it may be beneficial to consult with a tax professional who can provide personalized advice and potentially liaise with the IRS on your behalf.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
