Form 911, Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance

Plainly: this page helps most if you complete Form 911 for more than one taxpayer, or you are sending a second request and the contact details, identifying numbers and third-party block are the same. If this is a single request about one problem, the benefit is small, because the part that matters most, your description of the problem and the relief you want on lines 12a and 12b, is yours to write each time.

The form's own instructions say "The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that helps taxpayers resolve federal tax issues and protects taxpayers' rights. TAS may be able to assist you if your federal tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you have tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if an IRS system, process, or procedure is not working as it should." RepeatForm does not decide whether you qualify.

The instructions list: E-Mail "tas.form.911.request.for.assistance@irs.gov", Mail "7940 Kentucky Dr, MS 11 G, Florence, KY 41042", and Fax "(855) 828-2723". For sending from overseas they give a different fax number and the same email. Check the current form before you send, because these details can change. RepeatForm does not send the form.

The form's Disclaimer Notice says "Email submissions to TAS of Form 911 and attachments are not encrypted for security. By sending an email to TAS, you are consenting to the use of email as a method of communication regarding your request for assistance." On line 5 it says "Providing your email address indicates that you consent to receive and send encrypted emails containing confidential information about your tax issues and TAS advocacy services provided to you. If you do not want the Taxpayer Advocate Service to send you emails leave Line 5 blank." So check the email line before you export, because RepeatForm will carry it across if it matches.

The form says "If you don't receive a response within 30 days of submitting Form 911, send an email to: tas.form.911.request.for.assistance@irs.gov. In the subject line of the email input "No Response". Do not submit multiple Form 911s for the same issue, as this may cause delays with processing your inquiry for TAS assistance." It also says "The Taxpayer Advocate Service will let you know if your request for assistance has been accepted."

Lines 13 and 14 are the signature, title and date lines. The instructions say "If this is a joint assistance request, both spouses must sign and date the request. If only one spouse is requesting assistance, only that spouse must sign the request." The IRS locks the signature boxes on this PDF, so RepeatForm leaves them blank and you sign by hand where the form asks. The title and date lines are ordinary entry boxes, so RepeatForm carries whatever an earlier copy held. Clear them and enter a fresh date yourself. The instructions also say "The signing of this request is not a substitute for any legal or administrative action applicable to your situation and does not suspend any applicable periods for you to perform acts related to assessment or collection."

Line 12a asks you to "Describe the federal tax issue you are experiencing and any difficulties it may be creating"; line 12b asks you to describe "the relief/assistance you are requesting." The instructions add "Submit any documentation you believe would assist TAS in resolving the issue." These describe one specific problem. Do not reuse an old description unless it is still true, and RepeatForm does not write either line for you.

Section II has a block for "Form 2848, Power of Attorney" and one for "Form 8821, Authorization to Receive Notices." The form says "Form 8821 does not authorize your appointee to advocate your position with respect to the federal tax laws." RepeatForm has pages for both forms, linked below. RepeatForm does not decide who may represent you.