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SSNs on fraudulent federal income tax re- turns. When you have an IP PIN, it pre- vents someone else from filing a tax return with your SSN. To learn more, go to IRS.gov/IPPIN. Ways to check on the status of your refund. • Go to IRS.gov/Refunds. • Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile device to check your refund status. • Call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Note. The IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February for returns that claimed the EIC or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). This ap- plies to the entire refund, not just the portion as- sociated with these credits. Making a tax payment. Go to IRS.gov/ Payments for information on how to make a payment using any of the following options. • IRS Direct Pay: Pay your individual tax bill or estimated tax payment directly from your checking or savings account at no cost to you. • Debit or Credit Card: Choose an approved payment processor to pay online or by phone. • Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Schedule a payment when filing your federal taxes us- ing tax return preparation software or through a tax professional. • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best option for businesses. Enrollment is required. • Check or Money Order: Mail your payment to the address listed on the notice or in- structions. • Cash: You may be able to pay your taxes with cash at a participating retail store. • Same-Day Wire: You may be able to do same-day wire from your financial institu- tion. Contact your financial institution for availability, cost, and time frames. Note. The IRS uses the latest encryption technology to ensure that the electronic pay- ments you make online, by phone, or from a mobile device using the IRS2Go app are safe and secure. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and faster than mailing in a check or money or- der. What if I can’t pay now? Go to IRS.gov/ Payments for more information about your op- tions. • Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/OPA) to meet your tax obligation in monthly installments if you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you complete the online process, you will receive imme- diate notification of whether your agree- ment has been approved. • Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier to see if you can settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. For more information on the Offer in Compro- mise program, go to IRS.gov/OIC. Filing an amended return. Go to IRS.gov/ Form1040X for information and updates. Checking the status of your amended re- turn. Go to IRS.gov/WMAR to track the status of Form 1040-X amended returns. Note. It can take up to 3 weeks from the date you filed your amended return for it to show up in our system, and processing it can take up to 16 weeks. Understanding an IRS notice or letter you’ve received. Go to IRS.gov/Notices to find additional information about responding to an IRS notice or letter. Note. You can use Schedule LEP (Form 1040), Request for Change in Language Prefer- ence, to state a preference to receive notices, letters, or other written communications from the IRS in an alternative language. You may not immediately receive written communications in the requested language. The IRS’s commitment to LEP taxpayers is part of a multi-year timeline that is scheduled to begin providing translations in 2023. You will continue to receive communi- cations, including notices and letters, in English until they are translated to your preferred lan- guage. Contacting your local IRS office. Keep in mind, many questions can be answered on IRS.gov without visiting an IRS TAC. Go to IRS.gov/LetUsHelp for the topics people ask about most. If you still need help, IRS TACs provide tax help when a tax issue can’t be han- dled online or by phone. All TACs now provide service by appointment, so you’ll know in ad- vance that you can get the service you need without long wait times. Before you visit, go to IRS.gov/TACLocator to find the nearest TAC and to check hours, available services, and ap- pointment options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, un- der the Stay Connected tab, choose the Con- tact Us option and click on “Local Offices.” The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Is Here To Help You What Is TAS? TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. Their job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and under- stand your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. How Can You Learn About Your Taxpayer Rights? The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes 10 basic rights that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Go to TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov to help you understand what these rights mean to you and how they apply. These are your rights. Know them. Use them. What Can TAS Do for You? TAS can help you resolve problems that you can’t resolve with the IRS. And their service is free. If you qualify for their assistance, you will be assigned to one advocate who will work with you throughout the process and will do every- thing possible to resolve your issue. TAS can help you if: • Your problem is causing financial difficulty for you, your family, or your business; • You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action; or • You’ve tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded, or the IRS hasn’t responded by the date promised. How Can You Reach TAS? TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Your local advo- cate’s number is in your local directory and at TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/Contact-Us. You can also call them at 877-777-4778. How Else Does TAS Help Taxpayers? TAS works to resolve large-scale problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, report it to them at IRS.gov/ SAMS. TAS for Tax Professionals TAS can provide a variety of information for tax professionals, including tax law updates and guidance, TAS programs, and ways to let TAS know about systemic problems you’ve seen in your practice. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) LITCs are independent from the IRS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and need to resolve tax problems with the IRS, such as audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes. In addition, LITCs can pro- vide information about taxpayer rights and re- sponsibilities in different languages for individu- als who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee for eligible taxpayers. To find an LITC near you, go to TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/about-us/Low- Income-Taxpayer-Clinics-LITC or see IRS Pub. 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. Page 28 Publication 501 (2022)