PHOENIX - - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today announced the selection of Walter Webster, Las Cruces, NM., and 25 other new members to serve on the nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP). The TAP is a federal advisory committee charged with providing taxpayer suggestions to improve IRS customer service.

The new TAP members will join 51 returning members to round out the panel of 77 volunteers for 2013. The new members were selected from almost 400 interested individuals from across the country who applied during an open recruitment period last spring or the pool of alternate members who applied in prior years.

"TAP members provide an important voice for taxpayers and provide valuable insights to help run the nation’s tax administration system," said IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller.

The TAP listens to taxpayers, identifies issues and makes suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. Oversight and program support for the TAP are provided by the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS that helps resolve taxpayer problems and makes recommendations to avoid future problems.

“It is critical that the IRS listen to the needs and preferences of America’s taxpayers,” said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. “The vital work of these citizen volunteers helps the IRS provide all taxpayers with the top-quality service they deserve."

TAP members work with IRS executives on priority topics, primarily those involving the Wage & Investment and Small Business/Self-Employed operating divisions. Members also serve as a conduit for bringing grassroots concerns raised by the taxpaying public to the attention of the IRS.

TAP members are U.S. citizens who volunteer to serve a three-year appointment and are expected to devote 200 to 300 hours per year to panel activities. TAP members are demographically and geographically diverse, providing balanced representation from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Taxpayers can contact the TAP representative for their geographic area by calling 888-912-1227 (a toll-free call) or via the Internet at www.improveirs.org. Taxpayers can also send written correspondence to the TAP at the following address:

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
TA: TAP, Room 1509
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.  20224

Individuals interested in volunteering to serve on the TAP for 2014 may submit an application via the website www.improveirs.org during the next open recruiting period, which will begin in late Feb. 2013.