The Mission:

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel listens to taxpayers, identifies taxpayers issues and makes suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction.

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is the new name for the expanded Advocacy Panel within the IRS. TAP is an outgrowth of the pilot Citizen Advocacy Panels established in 1998, which were located in Brooklyn, Midwest, Pacific-Northwest and South Florida. With the expansion of TAP, citizen volunteers from all fifty states will have the opportunity to participate in the federal tax administration system.

In January 2002, the National Taxpayer Advocate established a Design Steering Committee comprised of IRS Executives, National Treasury Employees Union representatives, Treasury Officials, and consultants. The Design Steering Committee agreed to a new design on April 25, 2002.

The TAP acts as a two-way conduit; serving as a focus group for the IRS providing input on strategic initiatives, as well as providing a venue for raising issues identified by citizens. Structurally, there are seven geographically based Area Boards aligned with the current Taxpayer Advocate Service areas. These Area Boards address local issues and schedule outreach activities. Issue Committees, with nationwide membership, identify and work service-wide issues and are closely linked to the Wage and Investment and Small Business/Self-Employed program owners. The goal is to have panel members demographically diverse, with at least one member from each state, for a total of 95 members.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service provides funding for the staff and research support to the panels. Annual Reports are submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury and the IRS Commissioner. Copies of all reports, events, meeting agenda and minutes, and success stories can be found on the TAP website at www.improveirs.org

Contact the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, toll free, at 1-888-912-1227.