The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is looking for civic-minded taxpayers interested in applying for membership in the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) which helps improve the agency by making suggestions regarding their decision making.

“As the IRS continues to examine taxpayers’ needs in the area of service, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel has emerged as a vital source for gathering and providing information from the perspective of taxpayers,” stated Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. “TAP’s role will ultimately aid taxpayers by supplying them with the top quality service that they deserve.”

The responsibilities of TAP members include:

• Providing opportunities for citizen input and making recommendations to the IRS and Treasury on customer-service issues.
• Identifying and prioritizing taxpayer issues.
• Reporting annually to Treasury, the IRS and the National Taxpayer Advocate.
• Participating in meetings where taxpayers are invited to raise issues about their experience with the IRS.
• Referring taxpayers who contact the panels to the IRS offices best able to address their issues.

To qualify as a TAP member, applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year to the panel. In addition, they must be current with their tax obligations and pass a criminal background check.

The application is available on the TAP web site at http://www.improveirs.org/ and can be submitted online or mailed to the Milwaukee TAP Office at Stop 1006MIL, 310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203-2221. Applications must be received by the TAP Office by April 28, 2006.