X-ray absorption spectroscopy on oxygen-annealed, self-flux-grown single crystals of Tl(2)Ba(2)CuO(6-delta) suggests a microscopic doping mechanism whereby interstitial oxygens are attracted to copper substituted on the thallium site, contributing holes to both the planes and to these coppers, and typically promoting only one hole to the plane rather than two. These copper substituents would provide an intrinsic hole doping. The evidence for this is discussed, along with an alternative interpretation.