Taxpayers have the right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum. This is one of ten basic rights — known collectively as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights — that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS.

The IRS Independent Office of Appeals handles a taxpayer’s case must be separate from the IRS office that initially reviewed that case. Generally, this office will not discuss a case with the IRS to the extent that those communications appear to compromise the independence of Appeals. Continue reading →