In response to a congressional mandate for the development of a five-year plan, the Internal Revenue Service submitted to Congress the completed Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint.

The Blueprint is the result of extensive IRS research conducted into the needs, preferences and behaviors of taxpayers and partners who assist them in complying with the tax laws, such as volunteer and paid tax return preparers.

The plan includes a variety of specific recommendations for improving IRS services for taxpayers and partners, an important element of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the tax gap by helping taxpayers understand and meet their tax obligations.

"As this filing season draws to a close, we are committed to providing good service to taxpayers and enforcing the law," IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said. "This document is an important step to help us continue to improve our taxpayer services."

The Blueprint offers recommendations to expand, simplify, standardize and automate services, and to improve and expand technology infrastructure. It includes recommendations for increasing education and outreach to taxpayers, partners and IRS employees, and incorporating feedback from these stakeholders into future service decisions.

The Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint is available at: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=156394,00.html