How many times have you thought of an idea that could make the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) better – only you didn’t know how to make your voice heard? Now, you have an opportunity. There are vacancies on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) in a number of states.
TAP is a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies major taxpayer concerns, and makes recommendations for improving IRS services. TAP reports annually to the Secretary of the Treasury, the IRS Commissioner, and the National Taxpayer Advocate.
TAP is looking for volunteers to serve a three-year term starting in December 2016. There are 55 vacancies in total. TAP is specifically looking for volunteers to serve in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming. You can see who is already serving in your state here.
TAP duties include serving in an advisory capacity to the IRS through meetings and focus groups; soliciting taxpayer input on specific issues and channel the feedback to the agency; identifying, prioritizing, and elevating as necessary, taxpayer issues to the IRS; participating in taxpayer outreach opportunities by speaking to individuals and groups about the Panel; and reporting and publishing the results your teams work on an annual basis.
Some occasional travel is required, including overnight travel (described as “infrequent”). Reimbursement is available for authorized travel expenses.
What’s in it for you? You’ll have the opportunity to develop and improve leadership skills (read: it would look good on a resume) as well as the unique opportunity to work and collaborate with a group of diverse individuals with varied backgrounds from every part of the country. This is also your chance to tell the IRS what you really think of their service – and how it can be better.
TAP will be accepting applications until Monday, May 16, 2016.
For more details about the position, including qualification and how to apply online, visit the job description page. For more information about TAP, click here.
