Since its creation, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) has provided more than 2,039 recommendations to the IRS to improve taxpayer service and satisfaction with IRS services, products and procedures. These issues are derived from direct taxpayer feedback as well as projects the IRS asked the TAP to work.
After TAP submits a recommendation, IRS program areas review the recommendation and implement it if appropriate and feasible. While the IRS gives serious consideration to TAP recommendations, it is sometimes limited in its ability to implement recommendations due to cost, legislative or regulatory restrictions, a difference in philosophy, or the need to balance relieving taxpayer burdens with their responsibility to efficiently collect proper tax revenues owed.
The six core Project Committees submitted 51 Referrals to the IRS for consideration during the 2019 TAP year. These 51 Referrals contained 224 recommendations to the IRS.
The six core Project Committees submitted 22 Referrals to the IRS for consideration during the 2018 TAP year. These 22 Referrals contained 152 recommendations to the IRS.
The six core Project Committees submitted 35 Referrals to the IRS for consideration during the 2017 TAP year. These 35 Referrals contained 326 recommendations to the IRS.
The six core Project Committees submitted 29 Referrals to the IRS for consideration during the 2016 TAP year. These 29 Referrals contained 134 recommendations to the IRS.
The six core Project Committees submitted 104 recommendations to the IRS in 2015. Further, the TAP Internal Communications Committee completed three special projects in addition to its normal duties.
The five core Project Committees completed 31 projects and submitted 42 project recommendations to the IRS in 2014. In addition, the TAP Internal Communications Committee completed two projects.
The five core Project Committees completed 39 projects and submitted 148 project recommendations to the IRS in 2013. In addition, the TAP Internal Communications Committee completed three projects.
The eight Project Committees and Screening Committee completed 32 projects and submitted 130 project recommendations to the IRS in 2012. Two Ad Hoc Committees completed two additional projects. In addition, the internal TAP Communications Committee completed three projects for the TAP.
The TAP Area and Project Committees completed work on 41 issues and submitted 66 recommendations to the IRS. The seven external Project Committees completed 25 projects and documented project recommendations to the IRS. Finally, the TAP Communications Committee completed
an additional nine projects for internal TAP application.
The TAP Area and Project Committees completed work on 101 Issues and submitted 135 recommendations to the
IRS. The six external Project Committees completed 34 projects and documented project recommendations to the IRS. Finally, the TAP
Communications Committee completed an additional nine projects for internal TAP application.
The TAP Area and Issue Committees completed work on 67 Issues and submitted 137 recommendations to the IRS. The seven external Issue Committees completed 62 Projects and documented project recommendations to the IRS. Finally, the TAP Communications Committee completed an additional 8 projects for internal TAP application.
TAP Area and Issue Committees completed work on 25 Issues and submitted 112 recommendations to the IRS. The six external Issue Committees completed 86 Projects and documented project recommendations to the IRS.
In 2007, TAP Area and Issue Committees generated 59 new recommendations to the IRS, 19 (32 percent) of which came from Area Committees as grass-roots issues raised by taxpayers.
In 2006, TAP Area and Issue Committees generated 58 new recommendations to the IRS, 24 (41.4 percent) of which came from Area Committees as grassroots issues raised by taxpayers.
This year, 30 recommendations were elevated to the IRS by issue committees and many were or are in the process of being partially or fully implemented.
The seven Issue Committees, in conjunction with its working with IRS Program owners, submitted 43 issues to the Joint Committee. All of these issues, in turn, were forwarded to the IRS for review and evaluation.
As our first report, this document contains additional information regarding the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel’s (TAP) structure, operating procedures, and committee reports to provide the reader a better understanding of the Panel.
