Anyone successfully gotten a Taxpayer Advocate lately?
I've been trying to get assigned a Taxpayer Advocate for weeks now with no luck. My refund has been delayed for over 90 days with no explanation, and I'm at my wit's end. I've called the regular IRS number multiple times but keep getting told the wait for an advocate is 'extremely long.' Has anyone actually managed to get one recently? What's the secret? I'm starting to think they're mythical creatures at this point...
15 comments
Join the conversation
Liam McGuire
Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is currently experiencing unprecedented case backlogs. They're prioritizing cases involving economic hardship (defined as inability to meet basic living expenses). To qualify for TAS assistance in the current environment, you need to demonstrate: 1. Financial hardship (eviction, utility shutoff, etc.) 2. That you've attempted normal IRS channels 3. A significant delay (typically 30+ days beyond normal processing) The National Taxpayer Advocate reported in their 2023 Annual Report that TAS had to decline 17% of cases that would have previously qualified due to workload constraints. This trend has continued into 2024.
0 coins
Amara Eze
I managed to get one last month after trying for WEEKS. What finally worked was having all my documentation ready showing financial hardship (I was about to miss a mortgage payment). The other thing that helped was using https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript before calling - I could specifically point to the exact codes and processing errors on my account. The advocate I spoke with actually commented that it was refreshing to talk to someone who understood their transcript. Made the whole process much smoother since I could clearly articulate the technical issues.
0 coins
Giovanni Greco
•I'm skeptical that a website could help with this. Taxpayer Advocates are assigned based on hardship, not how well you understand your transcript. Sounds like you just happened to qualify for hardship assistance.
0 coins
Amara Eze
•The hardship definitely got me in the door, but being able to specifically identify the issue on my transcript made a huge difference in how quickly they resolved it. My advocate literally told me most people don't understand what's happening with their case, which makes it harder to help them. Having my transcript analyzed beforehand meant I could point directly to the problem instead of them having to figure it out from scratch.
0 coins
Fatima Al-Farsi
Has anyone tried calling their local congressional representative? I've heard that can sometimes speed up the process.
0 coins
Dylan Wright
•I did this last year and it actually worked! My congressman's office has a staff member dedicated to IRS issues. They contacted TAS on my behalf and I had an advocate assigned within 10 days. Definitely worth trying if you're getting nowhere on your own.
0 coins
Sofia Torres
After 3 months of getting nowhere with TAS, I used Claimyr.com to reach an actual IRS agent (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). The agent was able to see that my return had a simple processing error that didn't even need TAS involvement. They fixed it on the spot and my refund was released a week later. Saved me months of waiting for an advocate when I didn't actually need one. Might be worth trying before going the TAS route - sometimes you just need to speak with the right person at the IRS.
0 coins
GalacticGuardian
I'm a tax professional and I can tell you TAS is overwhelmed right now. They're primarily taking cases with demonstrated financial hardship. Here's what works with my clients: 1. Document actual financial hardship (eviction notices, utility shutoffs) 2. Call early in the morning (7:30-8:00am EST) 3. Be extremely specific about the issue and prior contact attempts 4. Have all your information ready (filing dates, previous contact dates, transcript info) About 60% of my hardship clients are getting through now compared to nearly 100% pre-pandemic.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•Thanks for the tips! I'll try calling super early tomorrow. Do you think a pending car repossession would qualify as hardship? That's what I'm facing if I don't get this refund soon.
0 coins
GalacticGuardian
•Yes, a documented car repossession threat would likely qualify, especially if you need the vehicle for work/medical transportation. Make sure you have something in writing from the lender. Be prepared to fax or upload documentation immediately when requested.
0 coins
Giovanni Greco
TAS is completely useless now. I've been trying since JANUARY. Called 20+ times. Congressional inquiry. Nothing worked. They keep saying they're "prioritizing hardship cases" but even with my utilities about to be shut off, they wouldn't help. The system is broken.
0 coins
Fatima Al-Farsi
•That's really discouraging to hear. Did you ever get your refund situation resolved or are you still waiting?
0 coins
Giovanni Greco
•Still waiting. Going on 5 months now. IRS says everything looks fine on their end but they can't tell me when I'll get my money. It's ridiculous.
0 coins
Rachel Tao
I feel your frustration - the TAS situation is really difficult right now. One thing that helped me was getting my tax transcript first to understand exactly what was happening with my return. You can request it online at IRS.gov or by calling the automated transcript line at 1-800-908-9946. Having specific details about processing dates and any error codes made my conversations with IRS representatives much more productive. Also, if you haven't already, try calling the general IRS number (1-800-829-1040) early in the morning and ask to speak with someone in the Accounts Management division - they can sometimes resolve issues without needing TAS involvement. The key is being very specific about your situation and having all your documentation ready. Don't give up!
0 coins
Santiago Diaz
•This is really solid advice! I didn't know about the Accounts Management division - that could be a game changer. Quick question though - when you call that early morning number, do you need to have any specific information beyond your SSN and filing details? And did you find the transcript helped you identify what was actually causing the delay? I'm in a similar boat to QuantumQuasar and willing to try anything at this point.
0 coins