The Internal Revenue Service conducted a study of the quality of
telephone advice it provides to taxpayers. It found that only
27% of callers actually received complete answers to their
questions. Almost three quarters of callers were denied service,
told to call back later, or had an excessive waiting time and
simple hung up before speaking with a representative.
Of those few callers that received complete answers, the answers
given by IRS representatives to tax law questions were correct
only 50% of the time.
Taxpayers are often surprised to learn that they are not
protected by relying on advise from an IRS employee. Only a
private tax adviser can warranty the reliability of their
advice, and the warranty is limited to the specific remedy
offered by the adviser. This might be representation at no
additional charge to resolve an issue in dispute or a return of
the fee. A taxpayer can rarely be protected from tax liability
due to incorrect advice.
About the author:
Tony Novak is an independent writer and financial adviser in
Narberth PA who provides OnlineAdviser services through
MedSave.com and FreedomBenefits.org
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