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Project 01157

Taxpayer Services Unauthenticated Chatbot

Project Statement:

It is important for the taxpayers to have access to the most current and accurate information regarding their tax responsibilities. Improving the access to information in the IRS website, will result in better rates of compliance, the taxpayers will have a better understanding of their tax responsibilities and it will minimize the discontent of some taxpayers with the IRS.

Goal Statement:

The goal of this project is to improve the availability and accessibility of the services the taxpayers receive via the chatbot. This will lead to an expansion of the topics available and will facilitate the access to information thru self-help tools.

Taxpayer Communications Committee

Opened: 2024


Status: Elevated

RECOMMENDATION 01157-001

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Provide link to contact IRS agent and request call back if necessary.

IRS Action: Not adopted

Response explanation: We don’t have the technology for this at this time. Currently, we have tool-free numbers of taxpayers can call for more information on their tax questions.

RECOMMENDATION 01157-002

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Make chatbot available in more languages.

IRS Action: Not adopted

Response explanation: With the implementation of Executive Order 14224, Designating English as the Official Language of the United States of America, the future of expansion to other languages is unknown currently.

RECOMMENDATION 01157-003

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Topics in the bubble should be in bold.

IRS Action: Not adopted

Response explanation: This option was considered but not implemented to maintain uniformity within the design. The design was approved and consistent throughout, i.e., if you hover over a topic, it does highlight it.

RECOMMENDATION 01157-004

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Provide feature for user to adjust size of responses or expand chatbot window.

IRS Action: Partially adopted

Response explanation: IRS will explore the feasibility of developing and implementing this feature.

RECOMMENDATION 01157-005

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Separate individual from business topics.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01157-006

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

For amended return, needs to address that this what the status means and is not taxpayer specific.

IRS Action: Adopted

Response explanation: Knowledge articles will be updated to clarify that they are an explanation of the statuses.

RECOMMENDATION 01157-007

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Provide a link to learn more about EITC.

IRS Action: Partially adopted

Response explanation: The IRS will review the knowledge articles and will consider adding links.