Protecting Taxpayer Civil Rights | Internal Revenue Service

At the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), we are committed to ensuring that all taxpayers are treated fairly and without discrimination. We have a strict no-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination based on age, sex, color, disability, race, religion, and national origin, including limited English proficiency. This policy applies not only to our employees but also to anyone who volunteers or works with taxpayers in our assisted programs.

Assisted Programs

We offer several assisted programs to provide support and assistance to taxpayers. These programs include:

1. Low Income Tax Clinics (LITC)
2. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
3. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

Taxpayer Civil Rights Publications

To further reinforce our commitment to protecting taxpayer civil rights, we have developed the following publications:

1. Publication 4053, Your Civil Rights are Protected: This publication is displayed at all federally-assisted site locations.
2. Publication 4053-C, Your Civil Rights are Protected: This publication is displayed at federally-conducted site locations.

Accessibility and Language Assistance

We understand that some taxpayers may require reasonable accommodations or language assistance. If you are a taxpayer with a disability or limited English proficiency, please inform the IRS employee you are working with about your specific needs. It is important to communicate your need for assistance to ensure that we can provide the necessary support.

To receive correspondence from the IRS in your preferred language, please complete and submit Schedule LEP with your tax return. If you have a visual impairment and would like to receive correspondence in an alternative media format such as Braille, large print, audio, or electronic formats, complete and send Form 9000 to the following address:

Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Kansas City, MO 64999-0002

We encourage you to reach out to our employees, volunteers, or staff members within our assisted programs for help with obtaining reasonable accommodations or language assistance. If you have any questions about obtaining assistance, you can also contact the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Civil Rights Unit by emailing us at edi.civil.rights.division@irs.gov. Please note that we are unable to assist with tax-related matters. For assistance with tax issues, please contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778 or visit the Taxpayer Advocate webpage.

Filing a Civil Rights Complaint

The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Civil Rights Unit is responsible for upholding and protecting the civil rights of taxpayers. If you believe that an IRS employee, or the staff or volunteers affiliated with one of our assisted programs, has discriminated against you based on your race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), religion, age, gender, or disability, you can file a written complaint with the Civil Rights Unit.

Please send your complaint to the following address:

IRS Civil Rights Unit 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW Room 2413 Washington, DC 20224

You can also email your complaint to edi.civil.rights.division@irs.gov. Please note that the Civil Rights Unit cannot assist with tax-related matters. Due to limited onsite personnel, we encourage you to submit your complaint via email. If you are unable to submit your complaint by email, you can send your correspondence to the mailing address provided, and it will be processed as soon as conditions allow.

Additional Information

If you have a general complaint about an IRS employee, you can contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). TIGTA maintains comprehensive audit and investigative programs to ensure the highest degree of integrity and ethics in the IRS workforce. For information on how to submit a complaint to TIGTA, call 800-366-4484 or visit the TIGTA webpage.

For all other inquiries concerning taxpayer civil rights, please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Civil Rights Unit using the provided mailing address or email address. While we cannot assist with tax-related matters, we encourage you to visit the IRS website or call 800-829-1040 for information on commonly asked questions, such as how to obtain your tax refund. If you believe that your matter cannot be handled over the phone or online, you can schedule an appointment to speak with an IRS representative at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) by calling 844-545-5640. Please note that when visiting the TAC, you may be asked to provide valid photo identification and a Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security number, to receive services.

For information about economic impact payments, we recommend that you call 800-919-9835 or visit the EIP webpage. Additionally, if you suspect tax fraud activity, please contact the IRS Tax Fraud Referral Hotline at 800-829-0433.

At the IRS, we are dedicated to protecting taxpayer civil rights and ensuring that all taxpayers receive fair and equal treatment. If you have any concerns or require assistance, please reach out to us.