IRS taxpayer panel recommends changes in notices, forms, tools

The Internal Revenue Service’s outside Taxpayer Advocacy Panel issued its annual report Friday calling for improvements and greater clarity in notices, forms, publications and more after a year of drastic downsizing at the IRS.

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Last year, the various project committees on the panel submitted 20 project referrals to the IRS, including 188 recommendations for improving IRS operations and enhancing the experience for taxpayers nationwide.

The recommendations included:

• Making taxpayer notices clear, accessible and easier for taxpayers to understand and act on;
• Enhancing IRS online tools and digital services to expand secure self-service options for taxpayers and improve the user experience within the IRS Online Account and tax transcript applications;
• Streamlining IRS correspondence processes and strengthening Individual Taxpayer Identification Number online tools to reduce processing delays, minimize call volume, and improve response times;
• Improving the clarity of IRS tax forms and publications, including recommending updated guidance on Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization, regarding disclosure authority and revocation procedures;
• Reinforcing the importance of in-person assistance to ensure taxpayers continue to have access to essential support services; and,
• Reducing wait times on IRS toll-free telephone lines by expanding secure chatbot and live chat capabilities to provide timely, personalized and accessible customer service.

The report also recognizes the outgoing and incoming national TAP chairs for their dedicated service and leadership, Michelle Brookens, who chaired the panel in 2025, and Philip Hwang, who is chairing it in 2026.

Historically, the panel’s recommendations have contributed to meaningful improvements in IRS processes, forms, notices and procedures that directly affect taxpayers. The panel expects the 2025 recommendations to similarly support enhancements to taxpayer service and tax administration. However, the report indicates that many of the recommendations have not been implemented or responded to by IRS officials, which may reflect the budget and staffing cutbacks at the agency and management upheavals as the IRS went through seven commissioners and acting commissioners in the course of last year and its workforce declined 25%.

Nevertheless, the panel continued to provide recommendations for the report to IRS officials and did outreach to taxpayers.

“In 2025, TAP members dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to grassroots outreach, listening directly to taxpayers across the country and abroad and elevating the real-world challenges they face,” said National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins in a statement. “Their efforts resulted in nearly 200 recommendations to improve IRS service and tax administration. By partnering with the IRS to advance practical, taxpayer-focused solutions, TAP plays a critical role in strengthening taxpayer rights and making tax administration more transparent, accessible and responsive. I extend my sincere appreciation to our TAP volunteers for their exceptional commitment and the meaningful impact reflected in this Annual Report.”