Form 911: Asking the Taxpayer Advocate Service for Help
Published November 7, 2026
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization inside the IRS. It helps taxpayers solve federal tax problems. Form 911 is the request you use to ask TAS for help.
This post is general information from the form and its instructions (Rev. June 2026). It does not tell you what to do in your case.
When TAS may be able to help
The instructions list three common cases. TAS may help if:
- your federal tax problem is causing financial difficulty;
- you tried to solve the issue with the IRS and could not;
- an IRS system, process, or procedure is not working as it should.
TAS will tell you if your request is accepted. It may contact you to talk about the issue.
What to write on the form
Section I asks for your name, your taxpayer number, your address, and a daytime phone number. Line 10 asks for the form number, such as Form 1040. Line 11 asks for the tax year or period.
Line 12a asks you to describe the problem and any difficulty it is causing. Say what the IRS has done, or has not done. If the IRS has taken more than 30 days to resolve the issue, write the date you first contacted the IRS.
Line 12b asks what help you want. Name the action you believe would fix the problem.
Send copies of any papers that support your request. The instructions say documents may lead to a quicker resolution.
Who signs
The taxpayer signs the form. On a joint return, the instructions say both spouses sign when both ask for help. A business must have an authorized officer sign, and must write the officer's title.
Someone else can sign only if that person is authorized to act for you.
Representatives: Form 2848 or Form 8821
Section II is for a representative. If you want someone to act for you with the IRS, that person needs Form 2848. If you only want someone to receive your tax information, the person needs Form 8821. The form notes that Form 8821 does not let the appointee advocate for you.
See Form 2848: Power of Attorney for Tax Representation and Form 8821: Letting a Third Party See Your Tax Information.
Where to send it
The form lists three ways to send it: email, mail, and fax. Use the addresses and fax number printed on the form, since they can change. The form warns that email is not encrypted for security. Sending an email means you agree to use email for this request. Line 5 is optional. Leave it blank if you do not want TAS to email you.
If you do not hear back within 30 days, the form says to email TAS with "No Response" in the subject line. Do not send several Form 911s for the same issue. The form says that can cause delays.
Warnings on the form
- TAS will not consider frivolous arguments. The form says using one can bring a penalty of $5,000.
- Signing Form 911 does not stop deadlines. It does not pause the time you have to petition the Tax Court, or to ask for a Collection Due Process hearing.
If a deadline is close, do not wait for TAS. Check your IRS letter for the date. For a general guide to notices, read I Got an IRS Notice in the Mail: What Should I Do First?
Checklist
- Confirm the tax form and year involved.
- Write down the dates you contacted the IRS.
- Describe the help you want in plain words.
- Attach copies of notices and papers that support your request.
- Sign and date the form, and keep a copy.
For how the collection process works, see The IRS Collection Process: Notices, Appeals, and Time Limits.
This is general information only. It is not tax advice for your situation.
Sources: Sources: IRS, Form 911, Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance (and Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order) (Rev. June 2026) (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f911.pdf) This is general information, not advice about your specific return.
