What are your rights when dealing with the IRS?

* You have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. If an IRS auditor or collection agent is rude or abusive, ask that someone else be assigned.

* You have the right to representation. If you go into an audit thinking you will represent yourself, then suddenly realize you are over your head, stop the audit. The IRS will reschedule.

* If you don’t agree with an audit or collection decision, you have the right to appeal. Typically, appeals are brought to division or group managers, then, perhaps, to a branch chief. After that, it would go to tax court or problem resolution office.

* If you have a problem that’s fairly unique--a Lillian Palmer story, which defies adequate answers via normal IRS procedure--ask to speak to someone in the IRS’ problem resolution office.