VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - March 20, 2018) - The IRS has reminded taxpayers of procedures that they must comply with in order to obtain telephone or in-person IRS assistance. During the busy tax season taxpayers that have questions or need additional information may have to call or contact the IRS.

Identity validation when taxpayers call IRS. The IRS reminded taxpayers and tax professionals that they will be asked to verify their identities if they call IRS.

To ensure that they do not have to call back, taxpayers should have the following documents ready:

• Social Security numbers and birth dates for those who were named on the tax return in question;
• An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letter if the taxpayer has one in lieu of a Social Security number (SSN);
• Filing status - single, head of household, married filing joint or married filing separate;
• The prior-year tax return. Telephone assistors may need to verify taxpayer identity with information from the return before answering certain questions;
• Any IRS letters or notices received by the taxpayer.

IRS assistors will only speak with the taxpayer or to their legally designated representative. If taxpayers or tax professionals are calling about a third party's account, they should be prepared to verify their identities and provide information about the third party they are representing. Before calling about a third-party, callers should have the following information available:

• Verbal or written authorization from the third-party to discuss the account;
• The ability to verify the taxpayer's name, SSN/ITIN, tax period, and tax form(s) filed;
• Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) or PIN if a third-party designee;
• A current, completed and signed Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization or a completed and signed Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.

For questions regarding a deceased taxpayer, the caller should be prepared to fax:

• The deceased taxpayer's death certificate; and
• Either copies of Letters Testamentary approved by the court, or IRS Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship (for estate executors).

In-person assistance procedures. The IRS also reminded taxpayers that IRS offices provide in-person assistance but only by appointment.

About the Company

US Tax Professionals provide tax services for dual American and Canadian citizens in Vancouver. Founded in 2013, they specialize in taxation for US citizens and expats, taxation and accounting for business, cross-border taxation for US and Canadian citizens, as well as accounting and taxation of alternative investments, including private equity funds and hedge funds.

For more information, visit http://www.us-taxprofessionals.com/ or call (604) 949-1559.

US Tax Professionals