Form 13013 Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) Membership Application

OMB-1545-1788

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)

Membership Application

Please complete and submit the application electronically from this web site. If you are unable to complete and submit the application electronically, please call 1-888-912-1227 to obtain a paper copy. Paper applications should be mailed to:

IRS TAP Office

Stop 211– D Room 950

401 W, Peachtree St. NW

Atlanta, GA 30308

You may also fax the application to:

1-404-338-8691

If you have questions, please call: 1-888-912-1227

Or visit our website at:

www.improveirs.org

Applications must be received no later than April 30, 2009.

All information provided in the

application will remain confidential.

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice

We ask for information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. Your response is voluntary.

You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and information are confidential, as required by Code section 6103.

The time needed to complete this form will vary depending on the individual circumstances. The estimated average time is 90 minutes. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of this time estimate or suggestions for making this form simpler, please submit your comments in writing to:

Internal Revenue Service
Tax Products Coordinating Committee
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP
1111 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20224

Do not mail your Application to this address.

PART I. A. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Last name:			First name:			Middle initial:
Home address - Street:
City:		County:			State:
Zip code:	Home telephone: Please include area code ( )
Cellular telephone:				Business telephone:
Legal resident of State:				E-mail address:
Currently employed Retired (Please indicate your former Employer and former Position Held/Occupation below.) Other (Please clarify under Position Held/Occupation below.)
Employer:
Position Held/Occupation:
How did you hear about the IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel?
Please tell us why you want to be a member of the IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel.

PART I. B. PANEL MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS (Note: Current IRS or Treasury employees or former employees who last worked for the IRS or Treasury within three years are not eligible to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel.)
Yes No
Are you a current IRS or Treasury employee?
Are you a former IRS or Treasury employee who last worked for the IRS or Treasury within three years from December 1st of the current year?
Are you a United States citizen?
Are you willing to travel overnight to attend multi-day meetings/events? (Note: Panel members will be reimbursed by the IRS for authorized travel expenses.)
Are you willing to serve as a volunteer Panel member for 3 years?
Are you willing and able to commit approximately 300-500 hours of
volunteer service to the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel each year?
Are you willing to have the IRS check to make sure you are current with your
Federal tax filings and financial obligations?
Are you willing to undergo an FBI background check?
Are you an agent for another country who is registered or required to register under
the Foreign Agent Registration Act?
Are you a lobbyist for a foreign entity who is registered or required to register
under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995?

PART II. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (You are not required to provide demographic information. However, if you choose to provide the information, it will help to ensure that the Panel membership reflects the diversity and representation of the overall population. All responses are confidential.)

Gender - check one

Male

Female

Race - check one

	Black		Native American Indian/Alaskan Native
	White		Asian/Pacific Islander
	Hispanic		Other (Specify):

Language – Can you read, write or speak the following languages? Select all that apply

	English
	Chinese
	Vietnamese
	Korean
	Russian
	Spanish
	Other

Age - check one

	18-29 years		70-years or older
	30-39 years
	40-49 years
	50-59 years
	60-69 years

Household income/salary - check one

	$24,999 or less a year		50,000-74,999
	25,000-34,999		75,000-99,999
	35,000-49,999		100,000 or more

PART III – EXPERIENCE

TAP Members are a diverse group of citizens who work on committees to improve the Federal tax administration system. Please address each question below in sufficient detail to enable us to assess your experience. Your experience can be both personal and professional. This information is used to determine your qualifications to be a productive member of the TAP.

1. As a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel you will be assigned to committees responsible for preparing recommendations and proposals to the IRS. Please provide one or more detailed examples of your experience working as a member of a group. Describe the group’s task, your role in the group, and the outcome of the task.

2. As a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel you will be expected to speak with individuals and groups about the Panel and use the opportunity to get ideas and suggestions for improving IRS customer service and satisfaction. Please provide one or more detailed examples of your experience speaking to individuals or groups to communicate information about a program or initiative.

3. As a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel you will present recommendations/proposals from the public to other committee members. Please provide one or more detailed examples of your experience presenting a position on a particular issue.

4. As a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel you may have to present a position that you do not agree with. Please provide one or more detailed examples of your experience presenting a position you do not agree with or describe how you might handle this situation.

5. As a member of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel you will work on problems and develop solutions to address these problems. Please provide one or more detailed examples of problems you worked on and what steps you took to resolve the problem.

6. Please provide one or more detailed examples of committees, organizations and groups (both personally and professionally) that you have been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to volunteerism. Please include the specific contributions you made.

Computer Skills - TAP members are geographically dispersed across the nation so they must rely on current technology to communicate and work on projects from remote locations. Please indicate your proficiency using the technology below.

Check all that apply

	Proficiency with navigating the Internet
	Ability to send and receive e-mail with attached documents
	Experience using software for creating or reviewing documents.

PART IV. CERTIFICATION (You must sign your application to have it considered valid.)

I certify that I am a legal resident of the United States of America; I have fulfilled my tax obligations; I have not been involved in criminal activities; and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of my statements herein are true, correct, complete, and made in good faith.

Signature		Date

TAP Membership Application Draft (8/14/08) 5 of 5