Tax professionals see taxpayer challenges every day. They know that sometimes a problem cannot be solved through the normal IRS process, and that’s where understanding the right resources can make all the difference.
To help practitioners better serve their clients, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) member Sandra Johnson organized and moderated a webinar for members of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP) titled “How to Work with Your Local Taxpayer Advocate’s Office.”
Christopher Morell, Local Taxpayer Advocate for the Brookhaven, New York office of the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), explained how TAS assists taxpayers experiencing significant hardships or problems that cannot be resolved through normal IRS channels. Participants learned when to contact TAS, how to request assistance, what to expect during the process, and how the Taxpayer Bill of Rights protects every taxpayer.
The webinar also highlighted TAP’s role in giving taxpayers and tax professionals a direct way to share ideas for improving the IRS. TAP members gather feedback from communities across the country and develop recommendations to improve IRS forms, notices, publications, online tools and customer service.
The discussion sparked meaningful conversations as practitioners shared their positive experiences working with TAS to resolve difficult client issues after traditional IRS channels had reached a dead end. Those conversations also highlighted the importance of TAP’s role in identifying recurring taxpayer concerns and turning them into recommendations for IRS improvement.
Your Experience Can Help Improve the IRS
Outreach events like this strengthen partnerships among TAP, TAS, and the tax professional community while expanding awareness of resources available to taxpayers. Together, these partnerships help identify practical solutions, improve IRS services, and ensure taxpayer voices are heard.
Your experiences matter. If you’ve encountered an IRS form, notice, process, or service that could be improved, TAP encourages you to share your ideas. Every suggestion helps identify systemic issues and contributes to recommendations that improve IRS products, services, and the taxpayer experience.
Use Form 14388, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) Issue Submission, to share your recommendation.
While you’re there, become part of the TAP network by entering your email address in the “Stay Connected” box at the bottom of the page. You’ll receive updates on TAP news, outreach events, projects, and opportunities to help improve the taxpayer experience.
Your voice can help improve the IRS.