The trouble is, past a certain point, the IRS isn't allowed to give tax advice - not even to say, "yes, if you do it (way X), we'll accept it, and it's OK". Because taxes are laws, and interpretation of the laws is a judicial-branch thing. All they can do is say "we recommend you talk to a tax professional". :\

(Obviously, there are many things they can answer - but they tend to be general statements of "the proper way to do things is X"; individual advice of the form "your situation is Y; you must therefore do Z" can get them in trouble, from what I understand.)

Not to say that paper trails are bad; quite the contrary - more to say that the IRS is likely to be unhelpful...