IRS Taxpayer Assistance Order
An IRS Taxpayer Assistance Order (TAO) is a formal directive issued by the Internal Revenue Service to provide immediate relief to a taxpayer facing significant hardship due to IRS actions. This order can be requested when a taxpayer is experiencing difficulties such as financial distress, the threat of foreclosure, or other urgent problems as a result of IRS tax collection activities.
The process for requesting a TAO typically involves submitting a written request to the IRS, detailing the taxpayer’s situation and the specific relief sought. If granted, the TAO can halt collection actions or adjust the taxpayer’s payment arrangements, allowing them to resolve their tax issues without further hardship. For example, if a taxpayer is facing imminent wage garnishment that would lead to a financial crisis, they might seek a TAO to prevent such action while they work on a resolution with the IRS.
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