IRS Invites Taxpayers to Apply for Taxpayer Panel

IR-2004-46, April 1, 2004

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 to listen to citizens and make recommendations to the IRS and Treasury on customer-service issues.
• Identify and prioritize taxpayer issues.
• Report annually to Treasury 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.

“Because of the Administration's actions to greatly expand the Taxpayer Advocate Panel to all 50 states, it now is able to play an even more critical role — ensuring that taxpayers from every corner of the country will have their voices heard,” said Treasury Secretary John Snow. “To reach the goal of providing world-class service to the hard working Americans who pay the taxes, one of the most vital things we must do is listen better to their concerns and suggestions, and ensure that their rights are being fully protected. After all, it's their money.”

“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 about 300 hours during the year to the panel. In addition, they must be current with their tax obligations and pass a criminal background check.