IRS To Expand Taxpayer Suggestions Forum

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, London

02 May 2002

The US Internal Revenue Service announced on Wednesday that it plans to extend its Taxpayer Advocacy Panel to include representatives from all US states.

Formerly known as the Citizen Advocacy Panel, the forum was established in order to allow US taxpayers to comment on IRS policies and decision making processes, and initially, representatives from 10 states met at four regional locations, based in Florida, New York, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest.

The nationwide request for new applications came as the result of a request from the Treasury Department, which sponsors the group, but the opportunity to expand was welcomed by IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti:

'It is important to bring real-world experience to government operations,' he explained following the launch of the campaign to find civic-minded taxpayers willing to represent the views of their state. He added that: 'Since 1998, people from diverse occupations have brought their experience and expertise to panel meetings. These people help the IRS improve its operations by providing insight and ideas.'

According to the Internal Revenue Service, volunteers for a position on the TAP must be willing to give up 300 hours of their time throughout the year, and must be US citizens, (and, for obvious reasons, must be up-to-date with their taxes!).

Duties include advising the tax body through meetings and focus groups, soliciting taxpayer opinions on specific issues and channeling feedback to the agency, and identifying issues of especial interest/concern to taxpayers.

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