How you can resist funding the government → about the IRS and U.S. tax law/policy → Taxpayer Advisory Panel

Any of you mischief-makers have a clean record and a little time on your hands?

The Internal Revenue Service is inviting civic-minded individuals to help improve the nation’s tax agency by applying to be members of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. The panel provides a forum for citizens from each state to make suggestions regarding IRS decision making.

If you’d like to apply, see the IRS website for details. But, “[t]o qualify as a TAP member, applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year to the panel. In addition, they must be current with their tax obligations and pass a criminal background check.”

The IRS is looking for ordinary taxpayers like you and me to join their Taxpayer Advisory Panel.

The mission of the Panel is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues, and make recommendations for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. TAP provides citizen input by identifying problems and making recommendations for improvement of IRS systems and procedures; elevating the identified problems to the appropriate IRS official; and referring individual taxpayers to the appropriate IRS office for assistance in resolving their problems. The Panel’s subcommittees will consist of 10–18 volunteer members who serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Treasury and will function solely as advisory bodies.

I know a few folks who might be eager to give the IRS some constructive criticism. Any takers?