Fun Fact

What We Do

Established in 2002 under the authority of the U. S. Department of the Treasury, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is a Federal Advisory Committee made up of volunteers representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico member represents the interests of U.S. taxpayers living overseas, including dual citizens, who must meet U.S. tax obligations. Based on feedback from the public, TAP members are dedicated to helping taxpayers improve IRS customer service and responsiveness to taxpayer needs.

Current TAP issues include:

  • Issue 16865 recommends adding a check box to Form 5227, Split Interest Trust Information Return, to avoid mailing of unnecessary forms.
  • Issue 17411 identifies ways to improve readability of documents by removing the shading.
  • Issue 17836 encourages the IRS to waive penalties for e-filing for tax practitioners in rural areas.

 

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Our Members

TAP is comprised of approximately 80 members from across the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, who volunteer to serve a three-year term. These volunteers generally spend between 200 and 300 hours per year on member activities that further TAP’s mission to improve the IRS.

TAP members are organized into five separate Project Committees and include at least one representative from each state. The TAP Joint Committee includes representatives from each of the Project Committees. These committees are empowered to work directly with the IRS to provide observations or recommendations on issues and areas for improvement, and monitor the status and progress of issues.

TAP members focus on specific issues through Project and Joint Committee work and provide direct input to the IRS on new and existing IRS programs and initiatives. Members represent diverse experiences, training, backgrounds and interests.

Beginning in 2013, TAP will seek to include at least one member to represent international taxpayers. For these purposes, “international taxpayers” are broadly defined to include U. S. citizens working, living or doing business abroad or in a U.S. territory, who must meet U.S. tax obligations.

Find TAP members