Compare paid help with direct and low-cost routes

What the IRS guidance explains

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics are independent of the IRS. They may provide free or low-cost representation to eligible people with tax disputes and education for people who speak English as a second language. Each clinic determines whether a taxpayer meets its criteria and whether it can take the case. A clinic is an option worth checking before assuming paid help is the only route.

Prepare a focused clinic inquiry

Read the clinic’s information and identify the dispute you need help with. Prepare the notice number, affected years, deadline, and a short factual summary. Ask about the clinic’s eligibility criteria, capacity, language services, and the work it may be able to accept.

Do not send sensitive files until the clinic identifies an appropriate intake method. A request for assistance is not a commitment that the case has been accepted. Keep responding to official instructions and seek clarity on what help is available while preserving the stated deadline.

Prepare the working record

Use this guide’s interactive checklist to organize the specific task. On your printed copy, note the source of each document and the date. Treat a missing item as a question to resolve; do not fill in an uncertain figure merely to make the packet look finished.

Before sharing evidence, verify the recipient and a secure delivery method. Keep a record of what you provided, when, and which question it addresses. Preparation helps explain the facts; it does not determine tax liability, approve relief, or extend an official deadline.

Your practical checklist

Keep exploring

• Check who would represent you before the IRS
• Compare investigation and resolution fees
• Review the authority you are asked to sign