The Taxpayer Bill of Rights:What You Need to Know

When you’re dealing with the IRS, it can feel like they hold all the cards. But the truth is… you have rights, and they’re not just guidelines. The IRS has a formal Taxpayer Bill of Rights that lays out the protections you’re entitled to under the law.

The problem? Most taxpayers don’t know these rights exist or they don’t understand how to use them when it matters most. At Golden Lion Tax Solutions, we make sure our clients not only know their rights but also understand how they apply in real-world situations.

Here’s a breakdown of the ten rights and what they mean for you.

1. The Right to Be Informed
You have the right to know what you need to do to comply with tax laws. This includes clear explanations of IRS forms, notices, and decisions — as well as updates on the status of your account. If something is unclear, you have the right to ask for more detail and get answers in plain language.

2. The Right to Quality Service
You deserve prompt, courteous, and professional assistance from the IRS. This also means you have the right to be spoken to in a way you can understand and to have your questions addressed fully and accurately.

3. The Right to Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax
You’re entitled to pay only what you legally owe — including interest and penalties — and nothing more. If there’s an error in the IRS’s calculation, you have the right to have it corrected.

4. The Right to Challenge the IRS and Be Heard
If you disagree with the IRS’s actions or decisions, you have the right to challenge them. This includes presenting documentation to support your position and having the IRS consider your evidence promptly and fairly.

5. The Right to Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum
You can request a fair and impartial review of your case, either through the IRS Office of Appeals or the court system. This ensures your disagreement is reviewed by someone not directly involved in the initial decision.

6. The Right to Finality
You have the right to know how much time you have to challenge the IRS’s position, as well as how long they have to collect a tax debt. You also have the right to know when your case is officially closed.

7. The Right to Privacy
Any IRS action must respect your rights and follow the law — without being more intrusive than necessary to resolve your tax matter. This includes limiting enforcement actions to what’s reasonable for the situation.

8. The Right to Confidentiality
Your personal and financial information must be kept secure. The IRS cannot disclose your information unless authorized by you or the law — and you can expect action if those rules are violated.

9. The Right to Retain Representation
You have the right to hire someone to represent you in your dealings with the IRS. You can also request to stop an interview at any time if you want to consult with a representative.

10. The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System
The IRS must consider all the facts and circumstances that affect your ability to pay or comply with tax laws. This means looking at more than just the numbers — they must consider hardships, emergencies, and unique situations that impact your case.

Why These Rights Matter

These rights aren’t just formalities. They can change the outcome of your case if you know how to use them. Whether it’s stopping the IRS from moving forward with an incorrect assessment, challenging unfair penalties, or ensuring your voice is heard in an appeal, your rights are a powerful tool — but only if you know they exist.

We Just Covered This in Detail on Social Media!

We recently completed a 22-day social media series on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, breaking down each of these rights in plain language and busting the most common myths about them. If you missed it, you can still scroll back and catch every post — each one is packed with examples, clarifications, and practical tips for using your rights to your advantage.

Follow Golden Lion Tax Solutions on socials with the links above so you don’t miss our next series!

We’re committed to sharing valuable, real-world information that can help protect your finances and give you peace of mind.

If you want a tax debt resolution firm that will keep your best interests in mind as we battle on your behalf to address your IRS or state tax debts, reach out to the team at Golden Lion Tax Solutions.

There is ALWAYS a solution, and we are the experts at getting it done.