Taxpayer Bill of Rights #10: The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System

             In our last few posts, we have taken the time to highlight all of the details found in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This is the guide for how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operates. The last point is The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System.

          This certainly sounds like a very difficult thing to expect, especially with how things have been going the past few years. But the basic idea is that we can expect the tax system to consider facts and circumstances that affect the ability to pay, or provide information in a timely manner. We have seen this applied the past 2 years when the individual tax filing deadline was pushed back because of COVID-19. It was not practical to expect people to provide their tax returns at the same time as normal.

          If you meet certain conditions and cannot pay your tax debt, you can try to get a monthly payment plan with the IRS. If you cannot pay the amount in the time allowed by law to collect it, an Offer in Compromise may be offered. There are other requirements that need to be met. The IRS will never seize all wages to collect a tax debt, they will always leave an amount for basic living expenses. They can reduce or remove any amount of an unpaid tax, liability, or penalty. That happened this year when penalties resulting from a delay in physical mail processing at IRS offices caused many seemingly late payments. Those penalties are being removed from records. Take time to know and understand all 10 of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

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