by Internal Revenue Service
On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Internal Revenue Service announced vacancies in 29 states and territories for the volunteer-led Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP).
Applications for the 2025 TAP year are now being accepted by all civic-minded citizens looking for new ways to serve their community and speak up about issues that impact taxpayers living in the U.S. and abroad – no previous tax experience is required.
TAP members volunteer to serve a three-year term and are expected to devote 200 to 300 hours per year (or about 5 hours each week) to panel activities. TAP continues to make a difference in the U.S. tax system, and new members have a unique opportunity to join this dynamic group.
“More people interact with the IRS than any other government agency, so TAP volunteers have a truly unique opportunity to give back to their community by advocating for ways to improve the IRS and improve the American tax system,” said National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins. “TAP volunteers consistently work to identify issues and, most importantly, come up with solutions they can take directly to the IRS to get those problems fixed. Serving as a TAP member is not only rewarding, it is important work, and I encourage anyone with a passion for service to apply.”
TAP members are selected to achieve demographic and geographic diversity, providing balanced representation from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and an additional member representing the interests of taxpayers working, living, or doing business abroad.
Since its founding, over 700 TAP members with a sense of civic duty, patriotism, and a belief in an effective, well-regarded tax system have acted on behalf of taxpayers to improve the IRS.
Each year, TAP members work on a large number of referrals that come in from public forums, grassroots outreach, and taxpayer submissions. Since 2002, TAP has submitted nearly 3,000 recommendations to the IRS to improve satisfaction with IRS services, products, and procedures. These recommendations have advocated for improvements such as:
- Allowing longer extension time to file tax returns;
- Providing taxpayers the option to get copies of their tax returns when using Free File;
- Establishing Customer Callback Technology over a majority of IRS toll-free telephone lines; and
- Initiating quality improvements in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) tax return preparation program.
Who can apply?
Federal advisory committees such as TAP are required to have a balanced representation of different viewpoints. Therefore, applicants from under-represented groups, such as Native Americans and non-tax professionals, are particularly encouraged to apply.
TAP is currently seeking candidates in the following states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, International, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.
However, candidates residing in all locations are encouraged to apply, as alternates will be chosen to fill any vacancies that may occur. All timely applications submitted by March 15, 2024, will be considered.
TAP members must be U.S. citizens who are current with their federal tax obligations and able to commit 200 to 300 volunteer hours during the year. TAP members must also pass a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background check and cannot be federally registered lobbyists or current employees of the Department of the Treasury or the IRS. Former Treasury or IRS employees and former TAP members can be considered for appointment three years after their employment or previous TAP membership has ended. Additionally, tax practitioner applicants must be in good standing with the IRS (meaning not currently under suspension or disbarment).
New TAP members will serve a three-year term starting in December 2024. Applicants chosen as alternate members will be considered to fill any vacancies in their areas during the next three years. Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2024, to be considered.
Visit USAJOBS for more details about how to apply to become a TAP member.
More about the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
TAP is a federal advisory committee that serves an important role in tax administration. TAP members are a diverse group of citizens who believe in an effective and well-regarded tax system.
TAP members volunteer their time and energy to improve IRS services and taxpayer satisfaction by listening to taxpayers, identifying issues, and making recommendations to improve IRS service and customer satisfaction.
Oversight and program support for TAP is provided by the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS led by the National Taxpayer Advocate. TAS helps resolve taxpayer account problems and makes administrative and legislative recommendations to mitigate systemic problems in tax administration.
For additional information about TAP, visit ImproveIRS.org or call toll-free at 888-912-1227 and select prompt number five. Callers outside the U.S. may call 202-317-3087 (not a toll-free number) or email TAP staff at [email protected]. You can also watch the TAP recruitment video for more information about TAP and how to contribute to this dynamic group of volunteers.
