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Taxpayer Advocate

Taxpayer Advocate

Step 1: Are you in the right place?

If you have trouble resolving a tax or other department issue with the Michigan Department of Treasury and have exhausted all other remedies, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate may be able to help. Before you proceed, make sure your issue is with the Michigan Department of Treasury:

 

If you have a federal (IRS) tax issue, please visit the IRS Taxpayer Advocate website.

If you have a City of Detroit income tax issue, please visit the Detroit City Income Tax website.

If you have an Unemployment Insurance issue, please visit the UIA website.

 

If you are sure you need help with a Michigan Department of Treasury issue, please continue to Step 2 below.

Step 2: Can we help?

Please review the lists below before proceeding or contacting the Taxpayer Advocate. We cannot assist taxpayers in all cases and you will save time and effort if you are aware of what we can and cannot do for taxpayers.

What We Can Do

  • Serve as a resource of last resort if you have exhausted all attempts to remedy your situation through Treasury’s normal channels. 
  • Ensure your rights are protected and Treasury’s processes are fairly administered under the law. 
  • Provide a fresh review of your Treasury issue to make certain taxpayers have been treated impartially.
  • Identify and communicate general policy and operational issues that affect multiple taxpayers.
  • Listen to you and try to clarify your Treasury issue.
  • Provide educational outreach.

What We Cannot Do

  • Explain why you or your business has been selected for review or audit (Per MCL 205.28).
  • Change the timeframe for processing your tax returns, correspondence or refunds.
  • Serve as a substitute for Treasury’s formal appeals process.
  • Offer legal guidance.
  • Assist with your tax preparation, but we may be able to answer specific tax questions. For tax preparation help, click here.
  • Change your filing deadlines or payment due dates.

 

If you have received a letter from Treasury, respond quickly with the FULL information requested.  Delays or incomplete information can make a matter more serious including the loss of your appeal rights.  Appeal deadlines are set by law and contacting the Taxpayer Advocate office does not extend or suspend your timeframe to appeal. Based on the above information, if you believe the Taxpayer Advocate office can assist you with your tax issue, continue to Step 3 below.

Step 3: Get help from the Taxpayer Advocate

Request Taxpayer Advocate Assistance

Additional Resources

Note: The Taxpayer Rights Handbook is currently being updated. Please utilize the Administrative Rules and the Taxpayer Brochure instead.