Application For Taxpayer Assistance Order

Form 911

Someone at the Internal Revenue Service has either a sense of humor or really knows what an emergency really means. Form 911 is appropriately named because 911 is the number you dial in an emergency. If an action by the Internal Revenue Service, usually a wage or bank levy puts you in a situation where you are unable to buy food, pay your household bills, make your payroll, etc., or if your property is under threat of imminent seizure and/or sale, then you may be eligible for relief under a Taxpayer Assistance Order. You must make every effort to work with the individual or group that took the action, you feel is causing you harm. That individual revenue agent, revenue officer, tax examiner or unit must refuse you relief. A refusal to grant you hardship consideration allows you to submit a 911 request. Form 911 is a one page form in which you state as clearly as possible what your problem is, what hardship it is creating and what specific relief you request. If you have information you think will help the problem resolution office you can attach that documentation to your request. Keep it simple they will call you if they have questions or want more paperwork. You can download the form at 800 File-Tax or the IRS site.

The form can be filed at your local IRS Problem Resolution office, it can be faxed to the IRS or you can call in the form. Just ask whomever you are dealing with to give you the number of the closest Problem Resolution office. They are required to give you that information.

Tax Tip: Have the information on the 433-A or 433-F available before you call. If you are self-employed they may ask for 433-B. They will want a payment equal to the difference between your income and what you say your expense are.  They will not count credit card debt.  If you are in shared housing or with your partner you need to watch the expenses you provide.  Do your math before you call, you need to know what the monthly payment will be. Some of these forms will allow you to enter data and print.

We think you should always fax, its quick and you can call to verify receipt. As soon as Form 911 is filed, all collection efforts must cease at once. It is important that you give your contact a copy of the form or tell them it has been filed. Upon receipt your 911 is assigned to a caseworker, this will take four hours minium.

The Problem Resolution case worker tries to intervene on your behalf and resolve the problem. Working with the IRS individual or unit they will attempt to resolve the matter and grant all or part of the relief you have requested. If more information is needed the case worker will contact you.

If you are not in compliance you may not get relief or at best a short period of relief, to allow you to get into compliance. Compliance means you have filed all your tax returns and are current in you taxes by the proper withholding or the payment of estimates. In cases where the Internal Revenue Service has filed a return for you, the caseworker may find you are not in compliance.

You may be required to file the unfiled returns. If you have raised you exemptions on your W-4 higher than they should be, revise your W-4 at once. Relief will usually mean that you will enter into some agreement whereby enforced collections will cease and you will make some effort to pay or compromise on your tax liability.

If you need assistance you call 1-800-File-Tax and we can help no matter where you are located. You can make payments or retainer by most major credit cards.