Taxpayer service a 2023 precedence for IRS Appeals

Higher taxpayer service — particularly with communities with restricted English — and persevering with enter from tax professionals are two important targets for subsequent yr of the IRS Impartial Workplace of Appeals.

“Making certain that taxpayers and practitioners are glad with the appeals course of is an ongoing purpose for us,” mentioned Shahid Babar, performing deputy chief of Appeals, in an announcement. “The 2023 focus information is a method to share with the general public and with staff our concepts for regularly enhancing how Appeals resolves tax disputes.”

In its focus information for FY23, Appeals mentioned it needs to increase communications with exterior stakeholders and enhance taxpayer entry. Initiatives over the approaching yr embody:

• Growing stakeholder outreach, together with to traditionally marginalized and limited-English proficient communities;
• Bettering entry to in-person and video conferences and revising letters and notices to make sure taxpayers perceive that it’s typically their selection the best way to meet with Appeals;
• Leveraging know-how to enhance how Appeals works and manages its circumstances;
• Persevering with the Practitioner Views collection by which tax practitioners share insights and suggestions; and,
• Coaching for Appeals staff on enhancing buyer engagement.

“We are going to preserve doing all we will to advertise a constructive expertise for taxpayers and practitioners, whereas constructing upon our previous accomplishments and making use of classes we realized from the challenges posed by COVID-19,” mentioned Andy Keyso, chief of Appeals, in an announcement.

This yr Appeals needed to tackle a big improve in circumstances referred for settlement after the taxpayer filed a petition within the U.S. Tax Courtroom. Many of those circumstances concerned taxpayers with out authorized illustration and resulted from communications challenges and difficulties in acquiring and sharing paperwork through the pandemic. 

In April, Appeals shared tips for a way staff would streamline their method to those circumstances with the general public. The workplace tried to cellphone affected taxpayers shortly after receiving the circumstances and thought of specific-dollar settlements, expedited tax computation and streamlined inside documentation of proposed settlements. Appeals resolved the 7,500 docketed circumstances.

The IRS additionally posted its Precedence Steerage Plan on Friday.