Warm holiday greetings from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)! As we bid farewell to this year, it is a fitting time to reflect on the dedication and hard work that contributed to making 2023 better than previous years. This year, the additional funding provided as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enabled the IRS to begin to dig out from an immense backlog. Taxpayers saw more phone calls answered and were able to get refunds processed quicker than any time since the COVID-19 pandemic. TAS stood steadfastly by taxpayers throughout this journey.
As your voice at the IRS, I advocated to ensure that taxpayer experience was a top priority in IRA spending plans. My wonderful staff diligently worked with taxpayers to help resolve issues around topics like identity theft, delayed refunds, and so much more, all the while ensuring that their rights as taxpayers were upheld.
Speaking of my team – my heartfelt gratitude goes out to every one of our TAS employees! Every day, they go the extra mile to advocate and assist taxpayers in need. For many of them, advocacy is not just a job, it is a genuine calling. (And if advocacy beckons to you too, please see USAJobs for all of our vacancies!)
The upcoming year presents so many opportunities – paperless processing, enhancements to IT infrastructure, and elevating taxpayer services are things that I’m excited about. Additionally, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel continues to recommend smart solutions to mitigate taxpayer problems with the IRS, while the Low Income Taxpayer Clinics persistently strive to provide support to the most vulnerable populations through pro bono work, education, and outreach efforts.
This coming year, I approach the filing season with a sense of cautious optimism, but know that as your advocate, I will persistently advocate for changes and solutions to make the taxpayer experience better for everyone.
Wishing you all a joyous and healthy holiday, and I look forward to continuing our work as we ring in 2024!
‘Tis the season and many of us make wishes this time of the year, so I thought I would share my requests for Santa again this holiday season…
Dear Santa,
You were so helpful with my wish list from last year, that I am hoping you will send a little holiday magic my way again this year.
This year, I would really love it if you could help spread some holiday cheer to the Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (or LITCs as you might know them) that received federal grants. There are over 130 clinics across the U.S. that work hard all year long to help people in need.
Every year, the people who work at these clinics tirelessly strive to help low-income taxpayers and individuals who speak English as a second language with their tax problems. The employees and volunteers provide much needed assistance for so many individuals and their families, and I wish we could send some help their way.
Maybe when you’re out delivering presents, you might whisper in a few ears to encourage people to adopt an LITC? They could provide access to training, provide financial assistance, or volunteer their valuable time to assist with a clinic near them. Attorneys, accountants, and volunteers are always needed and that would certainly help put them on the “Nice List” for next year don’t you think?
Speaking of the “Nice List,” I know that you’re very busy this time of year, so my employees have put together a handy list for you of all of the LITCs. Don’t worry – they have already checked it twice!
Thanks, again, Santa, for helping spread a little holiday joy to some of our most underserved communities. You give your time selflessly to make the season bright, and I hope you can help encourage others to give back to their community in whichever ways they can.
Wishing you and Mrs. Claus the happiest of holidays!
Erin
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the National Taxpayer Advocate. The National Taxpayer Advocate presents an independent taxpayer perspective that does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRS, the Treasury Department, or the Office of Management and Budget.