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              Fast Track Mediation - Collection

              A Process for Prompt Resolution of Tax Issues

Qualifications                        issued the findings. If you still don’t Representation
                                      agree, you may appeal your case 
The Internal Revenue Service offers                                           You may represent yourself at the 
                                      or, in qualifying cases, engage in 
fast track mediation for certain                                              mediation session, or someone else 
                                      mediation.
collection cases and issues to help                                           can act as your representative.
taxpayers resolve disputes resulting  In order to avail yourself of 
                                                                              For mediation to succeed, those 
from:                                 the mediation process, all 
                                                                              who have the authority to make a 
                                      documentation to consider 
• Offers in Compromise                                                        decision must be present. If you 
                                      your case must be provided to 
• Trust Fund Recovery Penalties                                               decide to have someone represent 
                                      Collection.
                                                                              you, that person must have the 
Advantages                            Either you or Collection may initiate   proper authorization to act on your 
Fast Track Mediation offers:          a mediation request. Both you and       behalf and to receive confidential 
                                      Collection, however, must agree to      information. You may use Form 
• an expedited process                participate in the process and sign     2848, Power of Attorney and 
• a trained mediator                  an agreement to mediate prior to        Declaration of Representative for 
• a neutral setting                   attending the mediation session.        this purpose.
You don’t have to file a formal       Generally within a week of receiving    You may also bring participants 
written protest to request fast track the signed agreement to mediate,        with you to support your 
mediation.                            the mediator will contact you and       position.  The Appeals mediator, 
                                      Collection to schedule the meeting.     however, may limit the number 
Excluded Cases / Issues
                                      The mediator will provide a brief       of participants to facilitate the 
Certain cases and issues are          explanation of the process and          mediation session.
excluded from fast track mediation.   discuss with you when and where 
They include:                         to hold the mediation session.          Appeals
• Assessment of the hazards of                                                You may withdraw from the 
litigation, which would require       Mediation
                                                                              mediation process anytime.
the Appeals mediator to hold          The process involves an Appeals 
                                                                              If any issues remain unresolved, 
settlement authority                  Officer with the IRS Independent 
                                                                              you will retain all the usual appeal 
• Cases referred to the Department    Office of Appeals (Appeals) who 
                                                                              rights as explained in Publication 
of Justice                            has been trained in mediation. The 
                                                                              5, Your Appeal Rights and How 
• Issues for which mediation would    goal of mediation is to help you and 
                                                                              To Prepare a Protest If You Don’t 
be inconsistent with sound tax        Collection resolve the dispute.
                                                                              Agree. For further information, see 
administration                        The mediator’s role is to facilitate    the Appeals Internet Web site at 
• Cases in which the taxpayer         communication. The mediator will        www.irs.gov/appeals.
has failed to respond to IRS          work with you and Collection to 
communications or failed              obtain the information necessary 
to submit documentation to            to understand the nature of the 
Collection for consideration          dispute. This includes the issues 
• Collection Due Process cases        involved and the positions of both                        Scan this 
• Collection Appeals Program          parties.                                                  QR Code 
cases
• Cases worked at a Collection        The mediator may conduct both                             with your 
Campus site                           separate and joint discussions with                       smartphone or 
• Frivolous issues                    you and Collection. The purpose                           other device 
                                      is to help the two of you reach a                         with a QR 
Starting the Process                  mutually satisfactory resolution that                     reader, or go 
                                      is consistent with the applicable                         to the website 
If you don’t agree with any or all 
                                      law. The mediator has no authority      url shown, to view more information 
of the IRS findings, you have the 
                                      to require either party to accept any   about completing this form and 
right to request a conference with 
                                      resolution.                             other Appeals processes online.
the manager of the person who 
      Publication 3605 (Rev. 3-2022)  Catalog Number 29749Q  Department of the Treasury  Internal Revenue Service  www.irs.gov






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