The Taxpayer Advocate Annual Report to Congress

PURPOSE:

• To examine the most serious problems facing the American taxpayer as identified by the Taxpayer Advocate in the 2015 annual report.

BACKGROUND:

• The National Taxpayer Advocate is an independent office within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• The advocate, appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, was established to help taxpayers handle issues with the IRS, identify problem areas for taxpayers, propose changes the IRS can make to address those problems, and identify legislative actions to help resolve identified challenges.
• The 2015 report highlights the potential benefits and pitfalls of the IRS’s plan to move more services online and increase use of electronic tax administration.