Sending Out an S.O.S. – IRS Form 911

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps resolve IRS issues faster. Key tips: respond promptly to IRS notices, keep records, wait 30-60 days before seeking TAS help, ensure proper Power of Attorney, and use Form 911 for assistance when delays persist.

Internal Revenue Service

By Torakichi Jesús Oba Pérez, EA, CPA

February 13, 2025

It can be challenging to resolve issues with the IRS nowadays. From delayed processing times for written correspondence, long wait times when trying to call and multiple transfers when you do speak to someone, it sometimes feels as though what is a straightforward issue in the practitioner’s mind amounts to a lot of extra time and effort in resolving IRS notices.

Enter the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which has proved to be this practitioner’s best friend. I can clearly recall the first time I referred a matter to the Advocate: I prepared my file as though I was inviting an audit. I could not have been more surprised, thankful and grateful for the case agent’s assistance in resolving an ongoing matter with the IRS. In a matter of three weeks, the issue I’d been corresponding with the IRS for over a year was resolved.

I then thought to myself that I might try to cut out the middleman and try to resolve all notices directly with the Advocate, but I got a few stern, though friendly, calls from the Advocate saying that I must first try to resolve the matter via correspondence with the IRS. In fact, there is a handy tool on the Advocate’s website that will help you determine whether the TAS can help you.

Here's a few tips that I have learned through a lot of trial and error in working with the Advocate:

  1. When you get a notice from the IRS, send the initial response to the IRS address in the notice as quickly as possible, and keep the documentation of your response (including certified mail receipts and fax confirmations) in your file.
  1. If you seem to not be making progress after 30-60 days, then the case should be eligible for the Advocate to assist you.
  1. Make sure your IRS Power of Attorney covers the period and form for the tax matter you are trying to refer to the Advocate.
  1. Fill out Form 911 on behalf of your client and fax it to the Advocate office closest to you.
  1. Await your case to be assigned and be contacted by the Advocate representative to begin the resolution process.

Looking back at it, I wish I would have known that practitioners could submit IRS Form 911 on behalf of their clients (provided they have a Power of Attorney) much sooner, but I’m just thankful for the time and effort the fine folks of the Taxpayer Advocate Service will continue to save me in the future.


Topics:

You May be Interested in

  • TXCPA Committee Urges Treasury to Delay Mandatory Electronic Payments
    TXCPA’s Federal Tax Policy Committee responded to the Request for Information relating to Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” that requires a transition to fully electronic disbursements.
  • TXCPA Continues Advocacy on PTET Issues
    TXCPA, AICPA and 52 other CPA societies sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Finance on June 6 urging the retention of the ability for all pass-through entities to deduct state and local taxes at the entity level.
  • Time Sensitive Communication with the IRS
    The TXCPA Federal Tax Policy Committee expressed concern to the IRS about delays in the processing of time-sensitive taxpayer correspondence, often due to both postal service slowdowns and inefficiencies within the IRS.

Get Involved

Share your expertise and shape the future of the profession—volunteer with TXCPA and make a meaningful impact in your community.