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Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
SPEAK UP• Want to improve the IRS?
By Andrea Price, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel member representing
Ohio
Guest Column
The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is supported by and
aligned with the IRS but is not part of the IRS and the
members are not employees of the IRS. TAP is comprised of
civic-minded citizen volunteers from all walks of
life representing each state, D.C., Puerto Rico and an
international member (citizens living, working or doing
business abroad).
TAP’s mission is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’
issues and make suggestions for improving the IRS service
and customer satisfaction. We not only listen to taxpayers;
but we also try to do something about it.
TAP has six committees working on suggestions submitted by
taxpayers. This month I would like to focus on the
Taxpayer Communications Committee (TCC).
The TCC is currently working with the IRS to help taxpayers
understand the difference between the third-party
authorization Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization
and Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of
Representative. In addition, they want to improve
taxpayer’s ability to understand the language on the forms
by simplifying the instructions.
Do you have a tax problem you haven’t been able to resolve
with the IRS?
Come to the Taxpayer Advocate Service at the upcoming
Problem-Solving Day.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) will conduct a
Problem-Solving Day on August 22, 2019 at the Columbus Main
Library on 98 S. Grant Ave from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. TAS
employees from the Cleveland and Cincinnati offices will be
available to assist tax preparers in person with tax
problems regarding their clients that they have not been
able to resolve with the IRS.
Generally, TAS can assist taxpayers whose problems with the
IRS are causing financial difficulties, who’ve tried but
haven’t been able to resolve their problems with the IRS or
who believe an IRS system or procedure isn’t working as it
should. And the service is free.
Why is TAS holding Problem Solving Days?
Congress created the Office of the National Taxpayer
Advocate through the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of
1998 (RRA 98). The law further strengthened the role of TAS
and provided for Local Taxpayer Advocates in each state. TAS
maintains a geographic presence in each state, the District
of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and continues to look at
changing taxpayer demographics to adjust its footprint to
meet taxpayer needs. Recognizing the importance of personal
contact, they work one-on-one with taxpayers and their
representatives within the area to resolve their tax issues
on that day.
Enrolled Agent Inactivation and Termination Letters
This year, the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) renewal cycle has
been completed and they are now beginning the annual
clean-up of those who have SSNs ending in 0, 1, 2, or 3 and
did not renew. Letters were sent the last week in July
advising everyone of this action. Terminations letters were
sent to EAs who did not renew for two enrollment cycles.
You can be reinstated by taking the Special Enrollment
Examination (SEE). Visit
www.prometric.com/irs or contact 855-472-5540. If you
have received an inactive status letter, it is because the
IRS did not receive your Form 8554, Application for
Renewal of Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal
Revenue Service. If in error, mail a completed Form
8554, the application fee and proof of required continuing
education (CE) hours for the entire renewal cycle (such as
transcripts or certificates) to: U.S. Treasury/Enrollment,
P.O. Box 301510. Los Angeles, CA 90030-1510.
Everyone has something to say about taxes and the IRS.
Please take a moment to give us your suggestions for TAP to
consider by contacting one of the following:
TAP Ohio member:
tapohioandreaprice@gmail.com
Toll-free at:1-888-912-1227
Website:
www.improveirs.org
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