Does the IRS mistreat taxpayers?

Generally no but in 27 years of representing taxpayers I have seen it happen. Correspondence audits or mail audit as I call them is a likely spot for this to happen. You aren't dealing with a person. You generally have no name or ID number for a revenue agent. Recently I had a case where the taxpayer was notified of a correspondence exam and was sent a document request. We sent in the information, the IRS requested more and gave us ten days to send in the information. Only problem was the postmark on their letter was after the 10 days had expired. There was no way to comply. The IRS then doesn't provide a 30 day letter with appeal rights and the 90 day letter was never issued but the taxpayer was given one day to petition tax court or the tax was assessed. Obviously, the taxpayer's rights were just trampled in this matter. Well,  I will just dig in my heels and get the taxpayer his opportunity to present his documents and facts in the case.  If you think you have been mistreated by IRS don't just give up there are often alternative ways to get an opportunity to present your information and get a fair shake.