Taxpayer Advocacy Panel program to go on temporary administrative suspension

For more than 20 years, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), through its team of dedicated volunteer members, has served a vital function in our tax system by advocating for the interests of taxpayers and offering critical feedback to the IRS. The insights and concerns raised by TAP members have historically played an influential role in shaping policies and redefining services that directly affect taxpayers across the nation and abroad. At this time, however, the TAP program will enter a temporary administrative suspension, effective February 13, 2026.

This will include a suspension on the acceptance of new issues and concerns related to improving IRS processes and taxpayer service. Please return to this page for additional updates as they become available.

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TAP Member Attends Successful Outreach Events in Pittsburgh and Baltimore

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) Member Mitch Gerstein spent his summer on the road spreading the word about TAP and learning about the hot tax topics that are on the mind of taxpayers and tax professionals.

Mitch started out by attending a congressional meet and greet sponsored by the local Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) office in Pittsburgh. A number of Pennsylvania elected officials were represented at the event, including a congressional staff member for U.S. Senator Bob Casey.

Mitch participated by speaking with the group about TAP and passed out business cards and information to raise awareness about TAP’s mission to improve IRS services. Mitch says it was interesting to learn about how TAS works with congressional offices and enjoyed a tour of the William S. Moorhead Federal Building.

Then Mitch headed to Baltimore to attend the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum. At the tax forum he met with tax professionals in attendance and even helped them address tax issues by directing them to the TAS Case Resolution Room, where they were able to work with a case advocate to try to solve one of their toughest tax problems. Mitch also attended the National Taxpayer Advocate’s town hall event where he got the chance to hear about some of the top concerns facing tax professionals such as missing refund checks. In fact, Mitch was able to connect a taxpayer with a TAS attorney who could help explain how to submit a change of address form.

Outreach events like these are an important way for TAP members to listen about problems facing taxpayers and use that information to make recommendations for the IRS. If you have suggestions for improving IRS processes and customer service, reach out and let us know. We take all comments seriously and will discuss them at a future TAP meeting.

TAP Member Mitch Gerstein and Local Taxpayer Advocate Christa Shoemaker
TAP Member Mitch Gerstein and Local Taxpayer Advocate Christa Shoemaker

 

TAP Member Mitch Gerstein, TAP Member Jean Miller, and National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins
TAP Member Mitch Gerstein, TAP Member Jean Miller, and National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins