The mission of the panel is to listen to taxpayers, identify issues, and make suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. The volunteer members provide a taxpayer’s perspective on critical tax administration programs and help the IRS identify ways to improve customer service. Oversight and program support for the TAP are the responsibility of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS that helps resolve taxpayer problems and recommends changes that will prevent problems.

Panel members will work with IRS executives on priority topics, primarily those involving the Wage and Investment and Small Business/Self Employed divisions. Members also serve as a conduit for grassroots issues from the public and forward taxpayers’ issues and concerns to the IRS with recommendations for improvement.

TAP members are U.S. citizens who volunteer to serve a three-year appointment and are expected to devote 300 to 500 hours per year to panel activities. Panel members come from all walks of life with balanced representation from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.    Individuals interested in volunteering to serve on the panel may submit an application via the web site www.improveirs.org during the next open recruiting period beginning in March 2008.