IR-2005-41, April 1, 2005 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is inviting civic-minded individuals to help improve the nation’s tax agency by applying to be members of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. The panel provides a forum for citizens from each state to make suggestions regarding IRS decision making. Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) members: Provide opportunities for citizen input and make recommendations to the IRS and Treasury on customer-service issues. Identify and prioritize taxpayer issues. Report annually to Treasury, the IRS and the National Taxpayer Advocate. Participate in meetings where taxpayers are invited to raise issues about their experiences with the IRS. Refer taxpayers who contact the panels to the IRS offices best able to address their issues. “We are committed to working with taxpayers to improve the customer-service focus of the IRS,” said Nina Olson, IRS National Taxpayer Advocate. “Working with taxpayers directly helps us identify issues that may not be on the IRS radar screen. We can also hear their concerns about issues the IRS is already addressing.” To qualify as a TAP member, applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year to the panel. In addition, they must be current with their tax obligations and pass a criminal background check. The application is available at www.improveirs.org. You can apply online or download the form and mail it to: Milwaukee TAP Office Stop 1006MIL 310 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53203-2221 If you do not have access to a computer, call 1-888-912-1227 for an application form. Applications must be received by the TAP Office by April 29, 2005. Links: Taxpayer Advocacy Panel online application Subscribe to IRS Newswire
