Outreach Efforts to Unemployed or Other Financial Problems from IRS

Special Outreach Efforts to Unemployed
The IRS is working and coordinating with state departments of revenue and state workforce agencies to help taxpayers who are having problems meeting their tax liabilities because of unemployment or other financial problems.
These coordinated efforts may include opportunities for taxpayers to make payment arrangements and resolve both federal and state tax issues in one place.
Special Section of IRS.gov
Taxpayers who are unemployed or struggling financially can find information on a special page on the IRS Web site, IRS.gov. This online tax center has numerous resources including links to information on tax assistance and relief to help struggling taxpayers
Other Options Available for Taxpayers
The IRS will continue to offer other help to taxpayers, including:
• Assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service for those taxpayers experiencing economic harm, who are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels.
• Postponement of collection actions in certain hardship cases.
• Added flexibility for missed payments on installment agreements and offers in compromise for previously compliant individuals having difficulty paying.
• Additional review of home values for offers in compromise in cases where real-estate valuations may not be accurate.
• Accelerated levy releases for taxpayers facing economic hardship.
In addition, the IRS will accelerate lien relief for homeowners if a taxpayer cannot refinance or sell a home because of a tax lien. As previously announced, a taxpayer seeking to refinance or sell a home may request the IRS make a tax lien secondary to the lien by the lending institution that is refinancing or restructuring a loan. The taxpayer may also request the IRS discharge its claim if the home is being sold for less than the amount of the mortgage lien under certain circumstances.