Public forum held to address taxpayers' needs, preferences

IRS develops 'Future State' plan

SAN ANTONIO – National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson and Rep. Lloyd Doggett will hold a public forum in San Antonio Aug. 30 to discuss what taxpayers want and need from the Internal Revenue Service to comply with their tax obligations.

The IRS said for the past two years it has been developing a "Future State" plan that envisions how it will operate in five years and beyond.

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A major part of the plan includes the creation of online taxpayer accounts as a convenient but non-exclusive channel in which taxpayers can get information from and interact with the IRS.

But Olson said she's concerned about whether the IRS's "Future State" truly addresses taxpayer needs, so she is soliciting comments from taxpayers and tax professionals, including the extent to which taxpayers will need telephone and in-person assistance.

Olson's objective with the forum, including several others held around the country, is to ensure the "Future State" plan reflects the needs and preferences of taxpayers.

“Although the national taxpayer advocate has been charged by Congress to be the voice of the taxpayer inside the IRS, what we heard at the public forums around the country were the voices of real taxpayers and their real representatives," Olson said. "They are compelling, articulate, and clear about what they need in order to comply with the tax laws."

The forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Maestro Entrepreneur Center.

Click here for more information about the forum.


About the Author

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

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