Taxpayer rights and responsibilities | Washington Department of Revenue (2024)

FAQs

Taxpayer rights and responsibilities | Washington Department of Revenue? ›

The taxpayers of Washington State have the right to:

Taxpayers have the right to pay only the amount of tax legally due, including interest and penalties, and to have the IRS apply all tax payments properly. Learn more about your right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax.

They are entitled to clear explanations of the laws and IRS procedures in all tax forms, instructions, publications, notices, and correspondence. They have the right to be informed of IRS decisions about their tax accounts and to receive clear explanations of the outcomes.

Background. The U.S. income tax system is built on the idea of voluntary compliance. Compliance is voluntary when taxpayers declare all of their income. Taxpayers also voluntarily comply through obtaining forms and instructions, providing complete and correct information, and filing their income tax returns on time.

Taxpayers have the right to expect that any IRS inquiry, examination, or enforcement action will comply with the law and be no more intrusive than necessary, and will respect all due process rights, including search and seizure protections and a collection due process hearing where applicable.

File returns and pay taxes on time. Provide accurate information on tax returns. Substantiate claims for refund. Pay all taxes on time after closing a business, and request cancellation of the tax account.

Report Fraud, Waste and Abuse to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), if you want to report, confidentially, misconduct, waste, fraud, or abuse by an IRS employee or a Tax Professional, you can call 800-366-4484 (800-877-8339 for TTY/TDD users). You can remain anonymous.

The IRS Finds Your Mistake

The IRS might notice your mistake and send you a notice to correct your return. If this happens to you, don't worry. Just complete the appropriate tax form by the deadline written on your notice.

Taxpayers have the right to expect appropriate action will be taken against employees, return preparers, and others who wrongfully use or disclose taxpayer return information.

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen personal information, including your Social Security number, to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.

What department is responsible for taxes? ›

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) administers California's sales and use, fuel, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis taxes, as well as a variety of other taxes and fees that fund specific state programs.

Tax liability is the total amount of tax debt owed to a government by an individual, corporation, or other entity. Income taxes, sales tax, and capital gains tax are all forms of tax liabilities. Taxes are imposed by various taxing authorities, including federal, state, and local governments.

Who Does Not Have to Pay Taxes? Generally, you don't have to pay taxes if your income is less than the standard deduction, you have a certain number of dependents, working abroad and are below the required thresholds, or are a qualifying non-profit organization.

Typically, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If it finds a "substantial error," it can add additional years but it usually doesn't go back more than the last six years.

Math errors and empty fields on your tax return can trigger an IRS audit. An unsigned tax return is not valid and will be sent back to you to be signed. Before submitting your return, check all of the details two or three times and make sure the document is signed.

If you are audited and found guilty of tax evasion or tax avoidance, you may face a fine of up to $100,000 and be guilty of a felony as provided under Section 7201 of the tax code.

The California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights became law in 1988. This law codified many existing Franchise Tax Board (FTB) procedures, established a Taxpayers' Rights Advocate, and clarified your rights as a California taxpayer and our obligations to you.

Taxpayers have the right to expect appropriate action will be taken against employees, return preparers, and others who wrongfully use or disclose taxpayer return information.

Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights. As an independent organization within the IRS, we protect taxpayers' rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, and recommend changes that will prevent the problems.