Get Real Tax Help from the IRS

Let’s face it. Filing your taxes, knowing how much you owe, and even paying your taxes can be incredibly stressful. What’s even worse is when you feel as if you’re forced to go through this stress all on your own. The good news, though, is that you’re not. There are many wonderful resources available

to help you, and that includes the IRS itself. This federal agency has many duties, and one of them is to be helpful to taxpayers. And, in honoring that duty, the IRS has many easy ways for you to get in contact with it.  

Go Online  

Despite what you may have heard, the IRS isn’t stuck in the stone age! It does have a real, legitimate website: IRS.gov. It’s important that, in your online dealings with the IRS, you connect only through this official website since, sadly, there are some scam sites out there. On the legitimate site, though, you’ll find forms, publications, information, and more, all designed to inform and assist you.  

Give Them A Call  

What happens when you can’t find the help you need on the IRS website? In that case, there’s always the telephone! The IRS has several different phone numbers, all of which are free to dial. Each phone line is dedicated to a specific need, and you can find a complete directory on the official site. Unfortunately, calling the IRS does often mean long wait times, but you should eventually be able to connect with a real, live person who can assist you.  

Visit In Person  

Finally, when nothing but in-person help will do, set up an appointment with your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. You can find a list of local centers on the IRS website, as well as details on the type of help that can be provided, and information about what you’ll need to do to secure that help.  

As you can see, the IRS has lots of great resources to assist you. But, many of them do require long waits and lots of patience. For this reason, it may be in your best interest, especially if you’re struggling with a complex tax issue, to enlist the help of a professional accountant or tax preparer. Doing so can get you the same help the IRS would provide but much faster and in a way that’s geared specifically toward benefitting you. No matter how you secure your tax help, though, the main thing is to secure it and to use it to your advantage as much as possible.