Vita-Volunteers.org Upcoming Events Blog: FYI: IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)

Hello Everyone,

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is inviting civic-minded individuals to apply to become members of a dynamic volunteer organization whose mission is to improve the IRS. This year's application period is open from March 7 - April 11, 2014. Please see above attached IRS News Release, "IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel" and below for additional information.

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TAP – Who We Are

TAP is a Federal Advisory Committee established under the authority of the Department of the Treasury, to allow citizens the opportunity to participate in improving the federal tax administration system by providing direct input to the IRS.

The Panel is comprised of a diverse body of 75 citizens from all economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and international taxpayers.

TAP – What We Do

The mission of the TAP is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues, and make suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. The TAP is a national forum for taxpayers to make their voices heard and to help identify “grass roots” tax issues of importance to taxpayers. Tax experience is not a requirement to serve on the TAP.

The TAP works with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and the IRS operating divisions to identify issues that will benefit from citizen input. The operating divisions utilize the TAP to obtain input and recommendations regarding tax products and services or program changes that affect taxpayers.

Panel members serve on a project subcommittee; participate in meetings and focus groups; solicit citizen comments and suggestions; and identify, prioritize, and elevate taxpayer issues and recommendations to the IRS. Outreach to the public is vitally important to the success of the TAP. Members are expected to identify and participate in various outreach activities to solicit input from taxpayers about IRS products and services. Individuals selected to become Panel members will participate in a New Member Orientation in December, 2014.

Recruitment Campaign

This year TAP is accepting applications to fill member and alternate vacancies from individuals who reside in the locations listed below. In addition, the TAP is seeking to include at least one member representing 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. [Note: this international member will not be required to attend any face-to-face meetings.] Each member is appointed to represent the interests of taxpayers in their geographic location as well as the interests of the general taxpayer population as a whole.

Applicants selected from these locations will serve a three-year membership term beginning in December 2014, or be chosen as an alternate member to be considered for membership if a vacancy occurs in their state during the next three years.

Member and Alternate Vacancies

Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and International.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

Be a U.S.citizen;
Be current with all Federal tax obligations;
Pass an FBI criminal background check;
Be willing to commit approximately 200 – 300 volunteer hours per year to Panel activities; and
Not be a current Treasury or IRS employee or have worked for Treasury or the IRS within the past three years.

How to Apply

· Complete and submit an application online at www.improveirs.org.

· All applications must be received no later than April 11, 2014.

How We Select Panel Members

· A team composed of IRS professionals will review applications and rank candidates by experience and suitability. (April 2014)

· The most qualified candidates will be interviewed by a team of IRS professionals and current TAP members. (May 2014)

· Tax and FBI background checks will be conducted. (May – July 2014)

· The Department of the Treasury will review the recommended candidates and make final selections. (October 2014)

Federal advisory committees are required to have a fairly balanced membership in terms of the points of view represented. As such, special consideration will be given to applicants from underrepresented groups, such as U.S. taxpayers living abroad, Native Americans and non-tax practitioners.

For additional information about TAP or the application process, please call

1-888-912-1227 and choose prompt number five. Callers who are outside of the U.S. and U.S. territories should call 954-423-7973 (not a toll-free call). You may also contact the TAP staff at taxpayeradvocacypanel@irs.gov for assistance.