Illinois taxpayers will have their rights and responsibilities as taxpayers outlined in a new state law.

The law, which created the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, not only outlines the rights of taxpayers, but helps them resolve disputes with the Illinois Department of Revenue. The law also creates an ombudsman for them.

One purpose of the ombudsman position is to give state taxpayers someone to contact to help them resolve disputes with the department. The ombudsman also can answer any questions concerning the tax assessment and collection process.

“For too long, taxpayers in this state have considered the Department of Revenue as an enemy,” said Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb.

Taxpayers have had to work with taxforms that are often confusing and other “bureaucratic red tape,” he said.

“With their rights clearly outlined, and the help of the Taxpayer Ombudsman, taxpayers will have a better opportunity to settle their disputes quickly and efficiently. They won’t feel as if they’re up against overwhelming odds,” Countryman said.

Countryman sponsored the bill, which he designed after a similar federal bill became law last year. The federal bill was initiated in order to keep the Internal Revenue Service in check, and was proposed after an audit of the IRS found inconsistencies in its records.

In addition to protecting the rights of taxpayers, the bill was designed to protect their privacy and property during the collection process.

With the passage of this bill, taxpayers could sue the government for up to $100,000 for violations of its provisions during the assessment and collection process.

Taxpayers who refute the IRS and are wrong, however, can be fined up to $10,000.

Finding out if one has a valid complaint or not will also be made easy through the use of the ombudsman.

Information concerning the repeal process will be attached to any correspondence received by taxpayers from the Department of Revenue.