Systemic Advocacy Objectives

TAS Systemic Advocacy Objectives

Systemic Advocacy Objectives describe the objectives TAS will pursue to address systemic issues causing taxpayer burden or harm. Similar to the way Most Serious Problems are identified in the Annual Report to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate calls upon a multitude of sources to assist in identifying Systemic Advocacy Objectives including the experience of TAS staff, trends in advocacy efforts and TAS casework, and interactions with practitioners and external stakeholders.

TAS’s Systemic Advocacy Objectives for FY 2022 are:

Improve IRS Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Strategies
Collaborate With the IRS in the Development of Its Training Strategy to Enhance the Taxpayer Experience
Expand the Functionality of Online Account Services for Taxpayers and Practitioners
Expand Technology Capabilities and Access to Customer Service
Provide Taxpayers a Better Understanding of IRS Processes and Procedures by Promoting Detailed and Timely IRS Transparency
Improve Taxpayer Access to Digital Communication Options and Permit Digital Signatures
Mitigate the Impact of the 2021 Filing Season Challenges and Refund Delays
Minimize Refund Delays for Taxpayers Whose Legitimate Returns Are Delayed by IRS Fraud Filters
Expand Electronic Filing Capabilities
Provide Administrative Appeal Rights to Taxpayers Requesting Abatement and Include Additional Status Information on the Where’s My Amended Return Tool
Analyze Math Errors Attributable to the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit/Economic Impact Payments to Eliminate Future Recovery Rebate Credit Errors During 2021
Monitor the IRS’s Recovery for the Unemployment Compensation Exclusion
Assist Taxpayers Who Experience Changes Relating to the Child Tax Credit During 2021
Improve Correspondence Audit Communications and Focus on High Default Rates for Taxpayers With Adjusted Gross Incomes Below $50,000
Identify Potential Collection Barriers for Low-Income Taxpayers
Continue Advocacy Efforts to Correct Erroneous Collection Statute Expiration Dates Due to Pending Installment Agreements
Increase Taxpayer Participation in the Offer in Compromise Program
Mitigate the Unintended Effects of the 2020 and 2021 Filing Season Postponements on Timely Filed Refund Claims
Improve Timeliness of Tentative Allowance Refunds During National Emergencies
Advocate for Efficiencies and Additional IRS Resources to Timely Process Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Applications
End Systemic Assessment of International Information Return Penalties That Harm Taxpayers and Burden the IRS
Advocate for Improved Voluntary Disclosure Practice to Reduce Taxpayer Uncertainty and Encourage Participation

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