About TAP

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

What We Do

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) acts as a voice between the IRS and the general public. Our mission is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues, and make suggestions for improving IRS service, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction.

TAP is comprised of approximately 75 members who volunteer to serve a three-year term. The members represent U.S. citizens from all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and a member to represent U.S. Citizens living or working abroad. These volunteers generally spend between 200 and 300 hours per year on member activities that further TAP’s mission to improve the IRS.

“I believe that the structure and responsibilities of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel increase opportunities for U.S. taxpayers to communicate with the IRS.”

— Former National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson

Who we are

Established in 2002 under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, TAP is a Federal Advisory Committee that increases opportunities for U.S. taxpayers to communicate with the IRS.

We are made up of a cross-section of the taxpaying public with at least one member from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, in addition to one member representing international taxpayers. International taxpayers are defined broadly to include U.S. citizens working, living, or doing business abroad.

Our group of approximately 75 members volunteer to listen to what taxpayers have to say about the IRS. And we not only listen, we try to do something about it.

10 Things about TAP

Identifies taxpayer issues based on feedback submitted to TAP by the general public and raises these issues directly to the IRS.

Submits recommendations to the IRS to improve efficiency, adjust problematic systems or procedures, and improve taxpayer service.

Works in partnership with IRS employees to resolve problems, monitoring IRS progress in implementing and maintaining solutions.

Listens to taxpayers through public forums that are designed to gather information on IRS issues.

Strives to improve IRS responsiveness to the needs of taxpayers.

Is made up of volunteer members from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, and includes an International representative.

Focuses on “national” initiatives or issues that cut across all geographic boundaries.

Has no authority to address individual issues, legislative issues, state issues, or any issues that do not directly improve IRS customer service or satisfaction.

Allows the public to view current issues being worked on and attend open committee meetings.

Accepts suggestions of how to improve the IRS via telephone (1-888-912-1227) or the online form on this website.

What is Tap?

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel acts as a two-way channel between the general public and the IRS.

As members of TAP, we are committed to helping the IRS improve it services by performing grassroots outreach activities by which TAP members were able to identify many issues raised by taxpayers.