CS-12-366 TAS Customer Satisfaction

Voluntary Customer Surveys to Implement E.O. 12862 Coordinated by the Corporate Planning and Performance Division on Behalf of All IRS Operations Functions

CS-12-366 Attachments OMB_Exhibits_August_10_2012

CS-12-366 TAS Customer Satisfaction

OMB: 1545-1432

Document [docx]
Download: docx | pdf

Attachment

OMB Application for Taxpayer Advocate Service



EXHIBITS


Exhibit A – Sampling Plan

Exhibit B – Pre-Notification Letter

Exhibit C – Introduction to Online Survey

Exhibit D – Survey Questions (with Pre-Test Questions for first 30 respondents only)

Exhibit E – Survey Questions (no Pre-Test Questions)


Exhibit A – Sampling Plan


Our contractor, PCG has computed the “Target Sample” based on 95% confidence level with a +/- 5% error rate for FY 2012. Their calculations include factors for proportions (based on historical data) and duplicates (taxpayer who have more than one case with TAS).


FY 2011 COUNT OF CASES SUBJECT TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY


Expected 2012


BY OFFICE

Closure

Target


Count

Sample

AUGUSTA

539

169

PORTSMOUTH

462

161

BURLINGTON

453

160

BOSTON

1,646

214

PROVIDENCE

424

156

HARTFORD

2,210

221

ATLANTA CAMPUS

15,836

242

ANDOVER CAMPUS

8,205

239

KANSAS CITY CAMPUS

9,675

240

BROOKLYN

2,474

224

MANHATTAN

2,064

220

ALBANY

970

196

BUFFALO

5,326

235

CINCINNATI CAMPUS

6,133

236

AUSTIN CAMPUS

11,393

241

BROOKHAVEN CAMPUS

16,108

242

SPRINGFIELD NJ

2,774

226

PHILADELPHIA

2,537

224

PITTSBURGH

1,805

216

PHILADELPHIA CAMPUS

11,444

241

OGDEN CAMPUS

7,528

238

CINCINNATI

3,098

228

LAGUNA NIGUEL

5,773

236

CLEVELAND

3,323

229

INDIANAPOLIS

6,962

238

CHICAGO

2,124

220

SPRINGFIELD IL

999

197

DETROIT

3,932

231

MILWAUKEE

1,475

211

ST PAUL

937

195

DES MOINES

557

171

ST LOUIS

5,353

235

FARGO

563

171

ABERDEEN

524

168

OMAHA

721

184

WICHITA

701

182

MEMPHIS CAMPUS

8,055

239

WILMINGTON

469

162

BALTIMORE

5,517

235

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

384

150

RICHMOND

4,409

233

PARKERSBURG

1,066

200

GREENSBORO

3,040

228

COLUMBIA

2,395

223

ATLANTA

4,945

234

JACKSONVILLE

6,597

237

LOUISVILLE

780

187

NASHVILLE

4,893

234

BIRMINGHAM

1,565

213

JACKSON

1,867

217

FT LAUDERDALE

5,814

236

INTERNATIONAL

4,623

233

SACRAMENTO

2,101

220

LITTLE ROCK

1,044

199

NEW ORLEANS

2,574

225

OKLAHOMA CITY

1,810

217

AUSTIN

2,257

222

DALLAS

9,787

240

HOUSTON

5,627

236

HELENA

623

176

BOISE

510

166

CHEYENNE

307

137

DENVER

4,975

234

ALBUQUERQUE

955

196

PHOENIX

3,023

227

SALT LAKE CITY

841

190

LAS VEGAS

939

195

FRESNO CAMPUS

18,313

243

SEATTLE

5,918

236

ANCHORAGE

1,984

219

PORTLAND

3,271

229

OAKLAND

3,863

231

LOS ANGELES

4,551

233

HONOLULU

736

184


279,476

15,753




Exhibit B – Pre-Notification Letter

{TAS Logo}

John Doe

123 Main Street

Anytown, CT 66666

Date: August 3, 2012

Re: [Taxpayer’s Name]


Thank you for allowing the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) to assist you with a tax matter. As the National Taxpayer Advocate, I lead TAS in helping taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS. By taking a short, voluntary survey, you can let us know what we did well and what we could have done to make your experience with us even better.

How you can take the survey

We have hired an independent company, Pacific Consulting Group, and their contractor, Pacific Market Research (PMR), to survey taxpayers or their representatives who recently worked with a TAS employee. We estimate that it will take you less than ten minutes to complete the survey online or by phone.


  • On the Internet. The survey is available at www.xxxx and can be accessed using survey code XXXXXXX. [Insert any additional instruction needed for accessing/taking the online survey.] [Insert info. on how long the survey will be accessible.]

  • By phone. If PMR doesn’t receive your online survey within [Insert timeframe - # of days or weeks - as to when PMR will check for the online survey], someone from the company will call you between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm and ask you to take the survey by phone. If you prefer, you can contact PMR directly at the phone number or email address below to schedule a phone survey.


Privacy

PMR employees must pass a rigorous security screening and will not share your individual responses or disclose your identity and personal information to anyone, including us. Your information is required to be kept private to the extent allowed by law.


Verification

To verify the authenticity of our survey, please visit www.irs.gov and enter the search term “customer surveys.” The IRS Customer Satisfaction Survey page contains a list of current IRS surveys, and includes a reference to the TAS survey.


Questions or assistance

If you have questions or don’t want to be contacted, please call the Survey Help Desk Line at 1-866-960-7897 or send an email to [email protected].


Paperwork Reduction Act

We are required by law to report to you the OMB Control Number for this public information request.  That number is 1545-1432.  If you have any comments about the time estimate for completing the survey or about ways to improve the survey, please write to the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Products Coordinating Committee, SE:W:  CAR:MP:T:T:SP, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC  20224.


I am committed to providing the best possible service to every taxpayer and I look forward to hearing about your experience with TAS.



Sincerely,



Nina E. Olson

National Taxpayer Advocate


Exhibit C-Introduction to Online Survey

The Taxpayer Advocate Service asked us to conduct a brief survey of taxpayers or their representatives who recently worked with a TAS employee. You are accessing this web site because you received a letter asking you to take this survey from Nina Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate. The Taxpayer Advocate Service will use this information to improve the assistance provided to customers such as you. Be assured that any data provided to the Taxpayer Advocate Service will be kept completely private to the extent allowed by law. Please enter your survey code [instructions on how to access/take the survey will be provided from the contractor] to begin the survey, which we estimate will take 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your time. [Note: Contractor will provide precise introductory wording.]


We are required by law to report to you the OMB Control Number for this public information request.  That number is 1545-1432.  If you have any comments about the time estimate for completing the survey or about ways to improve the survey, please write to the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Products Coordinating Committee, SE:W:  CAR:MP:T:T:SP, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC  20224.




Exhibit D– TAS Survey Script (with Pre-Test questions for the first 30 respondents)



INTRO1.

Hello, this is , calling from Pacific Market Research on behalf of the IRS. May I please speak with (name from phone file)?


01 Yes, respondent available

02 No such person (Thank and Terminate)

03 Respondent not available/Not a good time (Set time to call back)

98 REFUSED (SELECTED RESPONDENT)

99 REFUSED (NON-SELECTED RESPONDENT)

T TERMINATE

SP CONTINUE IN SPANISH

//If the record shows the taxpayer was represented by a POA go to INTRO3, otherwise go to INTRO2//


INTRO2.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS which helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS. You should recently have received a letter from the Taxpayer Advocate Service asking you to participate in a short survey. Have you worked with the Taxpayer Advocate Service?


01 Yes //Go to INTRO4//

02 DO NOT RECALL / NEVER USED SUCH A SERVICE //Thank and Terminate//

99 REFUSED //Thank and Terminate//


[NOTE: CP1 and CP2 moved to later]


INTRO3.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS which helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS. You should recently have received a letter from the Taxpayer Advocate Service asking you to participate in a short survey. Have you worked with the Taxpayer Advocate Service?


01 Yes //Go to INTRO4//

02 POA asks which taxpayer the survey is in regard to //Go to AUTH//

03 DO NOT RECALL / NEVER USED SUCH A SERVICE //Thank and Terminate//

99 REFUSED //Thank and Terminate//


AUTH

//Authentication of the POA is required to verify that the person on the phone is the POA who represented the taxpayer. The POA must successfully provide his CAF (Central Authorization File) number before you can divulge the name of the taxpayer.//

The taxpayer’s name was provided in the survey letter you recently received from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. If you don’t recall the name, I can provide it to you, but only after I verify that I am speaking with the correct authorized third party of the taxpayer. Do you want to give me your CAF # so I can share the taxpayer’s name? Otherwise, we can still conduct the survey based upon any recent experience you have had with the Taxpayer Advocate Service.




//Interviewer will need to check that the number given matches what was in the sample database sent by PCG//


01 Yes – POA gives CAF # which matches the CAF # on record. //Give Name and Go to

INTRO4//

02 Yes – POA gives CAF # which does not match the CAF # on record //If the POA is

unable to provide the correct CAF # and still wants the taxpayer’s name before

continuing, ask the POA if he would like to continue this call at a later time, perhaps

after the POA is able to recheck his records or locate the Taxpayer Advocate letter

with the taxpayer name. Give POA the option to call back for an interview, schedule

an interview now, or get a callback at a future date//

03 No – POA does not have CAF # or does not want to give CAF # but will continue the

interview. //Go to INTRO4//

04 No – POA does not have a CAF # or does not want to give CAF # and does not want

to continue with the interview.

//Thank and Terminate//

INTRO4.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service has asked us to conduct a brief survey of taxpayers who recently used its services. Your cooperation in answering these questions will help to ensure that taxpayers receive fair, courteous, and timely treatment from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. I want to assure you that Pacific Market Research will keep your answers private to the extent allowed by law. Do you have about ten minutes to speak with me?


01 Yes //Continue//

02 No, REQUESTED CALLBACK //SET APPOINTMENT//

99 REFUSED //Thank and Terminate//


//If the record shows that the call is being made to a cell phone number or if the respondent indicates that we have reached them on a cell phone, continue with CP1, ELSE GO TO INTRO5.//


CP1. I see that we may have reached you on a cell phone. Is that correct?


01 Yes //Continue to CP2//

02 No //Confirm number is a land line. GO TO INTRO5//

99 REFUSED //TERMINATE//


CP2. May we proceed, or would you prefer that I call you back at another number that is more secure or convenient for you?


01 Yes, proceed with survey //Continue to INTRO5//

02 No, requested callback at same number //SET APPOINTMENT//

03 No, requested callback at new number //SET CALLBACK and UPDATE//

99 REFUSED //TERMINATE//





INTRO5.

This survey will ask you questions only about your most recent experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which from hereon I will refer to as the Taxpayer Advocate. Even though you may have had contacts with other areas of the IRS, please limit your responses to your interactions with the Taxpayer Advocate.


Survey Questions


1. How many times have you used TAS?

  • 1

  • 2-3

  • 4-5

  • 6 or more


2. How did you learn about the Taxpayer Advocate Service?


  • IRS EMPLOYEE, EITHER IN PERSON OR ON A TOLL-FREE LINE

  • REFERRAL FROM A NON-IRS SOURCE, OR EVENT WHERE TAS WAS DISCUSSED OR DESCRIBED TO PARTICIPANTS

  • REFERRAL FROM A TAX PRACTITIONER, TAX PROFESSIONAL, TAX SERVICE, TAX PREPARATION CLINIC, OR CONGRESSIONAL SOURCE

  • TELEPHONE DIRECTORY LISTINGS

  • TAS OR IRS GENERATED MEDIA—LITERATURE, ADVERTISING, NEWS STORY, OR INTERNET

  • OFFICIAL IRS PUBLICATION OR FORM, OR OFFICIAL NOTICE OR LETTER SENT BY IRS

  • PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH TAS/GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF TAS AS PROFESSIONAL TAX PRACTITIONER

  • NEVER USED THE TAXPAYER ADVOCATE [04] (THANK & TERMINATE; SAVE CASE ID)

  • TAS CALLED TAXPAYER - REFERRAL SOURCE UNKNOWN

  • OTHER ________________________________________________

  • DON’T KNOW/DON’T RECALL

  • REFUSED

3. I‘m going to read some general statements about your experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and the employee who helped you with your problem. We will refer to this employee as the Advocate. (NOTE: Will work with PCG on precise introductory wording here.) For each statement, please tell me if you were very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied.


How satisfied are you….?

  1. With your Advocate’s explanation of what he or she would do to help you with your problem?

  2. That your Advocate took responsibility for getting your problem solved?

  3. With your Advocate’s explanation of the time it would take to work your case?

  4. With your Advocate’s updates on the progress of your case?

  5. That your Advocate listened to you?

  6. That your Advocate did his or her best to solve your problem?

  7. That your Advocate stayed with you every step of the way?

  8. That your Advocate cared about helping you?

  9. With your Advocate’s responsiveness?

  10. With your Advocate’s explanation of what caused your problem?

  11. That your Advocate was easy to reach?

  12. With the length of time it took to work your case?

  13. That your Advocate treated you fairly?

  14. With your Advocate’s knowledge of your specific issue?

  15. With your Advocate’s explanation of the final outcome?

4. Did you receive any correspondence from the Taxpayer Advocate Service? (Yes/No).

5. If yes, how satisfied were you with the helpfulness of the letters you received? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?


6. To what extent did the Taxpayer Advocate Service solve your problem?

  • Completely

  • Partially

  • Not at all


7. If Partially or Not at all, how satisfied are you with your Advocate’s explanation of why the Taxpayer Advocate Service couldn’t solve your problem? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?


8. Thinking only of your interactions with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and not other parts of the IRS, overall how satisfied are you with your Taxpayer Advocate Service experience? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?


9. (ASK if Q8 is dissatisfied) What are the main reasons you are dissatisfied with the Taxpayer Advocate Service? (Note to reviewers: the items below are NOT read to the TP. The interviewer will pick the responses below that best match up with the TP’s response to this question, and if necessary, will write verbatim in the “Other” field.)


    • Employee didn’t keep me informed

    • Employee didn’t do enough to help me (Gave up)

    • Employee wasn’t concerned about my issues (Lack of empathy)

    • Employee wasn’t fair

    • Took too long to solve my problem

    • The process was unfair

    • The laws/rules are unfair

    • Problem isn’t resolved

    • Didn’t receive the outcome I wanted (No refund/No adjustment)

    • Other _______________________________________________________

    • (DK/Don't recall)

    • (Refused)



10. (ASK if Q8 is satisfied) What are the main reasons you are satisfied with the Taxpayer Advocate Service? (For phone surveys, the surveyor will select the choice below that best matches the taxpayer’s response and if necessary will write verbatim comments in “Other” field.)


    • Employee was very helpful

    • Employee was very informative (Communicative)

    • Employee was concerned about resolving taxpayer’s issues (Empathy)

    • Employee followed through very well

    • Problem was solved in a timely manner

    • Problem was resolved to taxpayer’s satisfaction

    • Other _______________________________________________________

    • (DK/Don't recall)

    • (Refused)


11. How could the Taxpayer Advocate Service improve the service you received?




12. As a result of your experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, would you say your impression of the IRS is much more positive, more positive, about the same, more negative, or much more negative?


5 Much more positive

4 More positive

3 About the same

2 More negative

1 Much more negative


Demographics Section [This section will be asked only to taxpayers, not taxpayer representatives.]


Now I have a few demographic questions for you. You can skip any questions you don’t want to answer in this section.


13. Which of the following do you have in your household?

(Check all that apply)


Personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop)

Tablet (e.g., iPad)

Internet (dial up)

Internet (broad band or high speed cable)

Cell phone (pay per minute)

Cell phone (monthly contract or longer)

Cell phone with internet (e.g., Smartphone)

Landline (home telephone)

Other________________________________________________________________

None


14. Which of the following describes the highest level of education that you have attained?


(Stop when the highest level is reached)

  • Less than 9th grade

  • 9th grade to 12th grade, no diploma

  • High school graduate (or GED)

  • Some technical or vocational school

  • Technical or vocational school graduate

  • Some college, no degree

  • Associate Degree

  • Bachelor’s Degree

  • Some graduate work, no degree

  • Master’s Degree

  • Post-Master’s Degree




15. What is your household income?


Less than $25,000

$25,000 but less than $35,000

$35,000 but less than $50,000

$50,000 but less than $75,000

$75,000 but less than $100,000

$100,000 or more


16. What is your Age?


Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+


17. What is your gender (sex)?

(Note: if over the phone - do not ask, have interviewer mark)


Male

Female


18. How many people reside in your household?


1

2

3-4

5 or more


19. How would you define your marital or domestic status? (For phone surveys, the surveyor will select the choice below that best matches the taxpayer’s response.)


Married

Divorced

Separated

Widowed

Domestic Partnership

Single

Other




20. What is the primary language spoken in your household?

(Check one only)


English

Spanish

Chinese

French

Tagalog

Vietnamese

Korean

Other


END

[READ:] That completes our survey; however, we are required by law to report to you the OMB Control Number for this public information request. That number is 1545-1432. I can give you an address if you have any comments about the time estimate for completing the survey or about ways to improve the survey. Would you like the address? (If "Yes", read:)

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


Those are all of the questions I have. On behalf of the Taxpayer Advocate Service and Pacific Market Research I would like to thank you for your time.


Q27. INTERVIEWER: IN WHAT LANGUAGE WAS THIS SURVEY CONDUCTED?


  1. ENGLISH

  2. SPANISH



Pre-testing questions (first 30 respondents)


  1. What does the phrase “length of time to work your case” mean to you?

  2. What does the phrase “stayed with you every step of the way” mean to you?

  3. Was there anything in this survey that was difficult for you to answer?

  4. Was there anything in this survey that was confusing to you?





Exhibit E– TAS Survey Script (no Pre-Test questions)


INTRO1.

Hello, this is , calling from Pacific Market Research on behalf of the IRS. May I please speak with (name from phone file)?


01 Yes, respondent available

02 No such person (Thank and Terminate)

03 Respondent not available/Not a good time (Set time to call back)

98 REFUSED (SELECTED RESPONDENT)

99 REFUSED (NON-SELECTED RESPONDENT)

T TERMINATE

SP CONTINUE IN SPANISH

//If the record shows the taxpayer was represented by a POA go to INTRO3, otherwise go to INTRO2//


INTRO2.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS which helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS. You should recently have received a letter from the Taxpayer Advocate Service asking you to participate in a short survey. Have you worked with the Taxpayer Advocate Service?


01 Yes //Go to INTRO4//

02 DO NOT RECALL / NEVER USED SUCH A SERVICE //Thank and Terminate//

99 REFUSED //Thank and Terminate//


[NOTE: CP1 and CP2 moved to later]


INTRO3.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS which helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS. You should recently have received a letter from the Taxpayer Advocate Service asking you to participate in a short survey. Have you worked with the Taxpayer Advocate Service?


01 Yes //Go to INTRO4//

02 POA asks which taxpayer the survey is in regard to //Go to AUTH//

03 DO NOT RECALL / NEVER USED SUCH A SERVICE //Thank and Terminate//

99 REFUSED //Thank and Terminate//


AUTH

//Authentication of the POA is required to verify that the person on the phone is the POA who represented the taxpayer. The POA must successfully provide his CAF (Central Authorization File) number before you can divulge the name of the taxpayer.//

The taxpayer’s name was provided in the survey letter you recently received from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. If you don’t recall the name, I can provide it to you, but only after I verify that I am speaking with the correct authorized third party of the taxpayer. Do you want to give me your CAF # so I can share the taxpayer’s name? Otherwise, we can still conduct the survey based upon any recent experience you have had with the Taxpayer Advocate Service.




//Interviewer will need to check that the number given matches what was in the sample database sent by PCG//


01 Yes – POA gives CAF # which matches the CAF # on record. //Give Name and Go to

INTRO4//

02 Yes – POA gives CAF # which does not match the CAF # on record //If the POA is

unable to provide the correct CAF # and still wants the taxpayer’s name before

continuing, ask the POA if he would like to continue this call at a later time, perhaps

after the POA is able to recheck his records or locate the Taxpayer Advocate letter

with the taxpayer name. Give POA the option to call back for an interview, schedule

an interview now, or get a callback at a future date//

03 No – POA does not have CAF # or does not want to give CAF # but will continue the

interview. //Go to INTRO4//

04 No – POA does not have a CAF # or does not want to give CAF # and does not want

to continue with the interview.

//Thank and Terminate//

INTRO4.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service has asked us to conduct a brief survey of taxpayers who recently used its services. Your cooperation in answering these questions will help to ensure that taxpayers receive fair, courteous, and timely treatment from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. I want to assure you that Pacific Market Research will keep your answers private to the extent allowed by law. Do you have about ten minutes to speak with me?


01 Yes //Continue//

02 No, REQUESTED CALLBACK //SET APPOINTMENT//

99 REFUSED //Thank and Terminate//


//If the record shows that the call is being made to a cell phone number or if the respondent indicates that we have reached them on a cell phone, continue with CP1, ELSE GO TO INTRO5.//


CP1. I see that we may have reached you on a cell phone. Is that correct?


01 Yes //Continue to CP2//

02 No //Confirm number is a land line. GO TO INTRO5//

99 REFUSED //TERMINATE//


CP2. May we proceed, or would you prefer that I call you back at another number that is more secure or convenient for you?


01 Yes, proceed with survey //Continue to INTRO5//

02 No, requested callback at same number //SET APPOINTMENT//

03 No, requested callback at new number //SET CALLBACK and UPDATE//

99 REFUSED //TERMINATE//





INTRO5.

This survey will ask you questions only about your most recent experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which from hereon I will refer to as the Taxpayer Advocate. Even though you may have had contacts with other areas of the IRS, please limit your responses to your interactions with the Taxpayer Advocate.


Survey Questions


1. How many times have you used TAS?

  • 1

  • 2-3

  • 4-5

  • 6 or more


2. How did you learn about the Taxpayer Advocate Service?


  • IRS EMPLOYEE, EITHER IN PERSON OR ON A TOLL-FREE LINE

  • REFERRAL FROM A NON-IRS SOURCE, OR EVENT WHERE TAS WAS DISCUSSED OR DESCRIBED TO PARTICIPANTS

  • REFERRAL FROM A TAX PRACTITIONER, TAX PROFESSIONAL, TAX SERVICE, TAX PREPARATION CLINIC, OR CONGRESSIONAL SOURCE

  • TELEPHONE DIRECTORY LISTINGS

  • TAS OR IRS GENERATED MEDIA—LITERATURE, ADVERTISING, NEWS STORY, OR INTERNET

  • OFFICIAL IRS PUBLICATION OR FORM, OR OFFICIAL NOTICE OR LETTER SENT BY IRS

  • PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH TAS/GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF TAS AS PROFESSIONAL TAX PRACTITIONER

  • NEVER USED THE TAXPAYER ADVOCATE [04] (THANK & TERMINATE; SAVE CASE ID)

  • TAS CALLED TAXPAYER - REFERRAL SOURCE UNKNOWN

  • OTHER ________________________________________________

  • DON’T KNOW/DON’T RECALL

  • REFUSED

3. I‘m going to read some general statements about your experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and the employee who helped you with your problem. We will refer to this employee as the Advocate. (NOTE: Will work with PCG on precise introductory wording here.) For each statement, please tell me if you were very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied.


How satisfied are you….?

  1. With your Advocate’s explanation of what he or she would do to help you with your problem?

b. That your Advocate took responsibility for getting your problem solved?

  1. With your Advocate’s explanation of the time it would take to work your case?

  2. With your Advocate’s updates on the progress of your case?

  3. That your Advocate listened to you?

  4. That your Advocate did his or her best to solve your problem?

  5. That your Advocate stayed with you every step of the way?

  6. That your Advocate cared about helping you?

  7. With your Advocate’s responsiveness?

  8. With your Advocate’s explanation of what caused your problem?

  9. That your Advocate was easy to reach?

  10. With the length of time it took to work your case?

  11. That your Advocate treated you fairly?

  12. With your Advocate’s knowledge of your specific issue?

  13. With your Advocate’s explanation of the final outcome?

4. Did you receive any correspondence from the Taxpayer Advocate Service? (Yes/No).

5. If yes, how satisfied were you with the helpfulness of the letters you received? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?


6. To what extent did the Taxpayer Advocate Service solve your problem?

  • Completely

  • Partially

  • Not at all


7. If Partially or Not at all, how satisfied are you with your Advocate’s explanation of why the Taxpayer Advocate Service couldn’t solve your problem? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?


8. Thinking only of your interactions with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and not other parts of the IRS, overall how satisfied are you with your Taxpayer Advocate Service experience? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?


9. (ASK if Q8 is dissatisfied) What are the main reasons you are dissatisfied with the Taxpayer Advocate Service? (Note to reviewers: the items below are NOT read to the TP. The interviewer will pick the responses below that best match up with the TP’s response to this question, and if necessary, will write verbatim in the “Other” field.)


    • Employee didn’t keep me informed

    • Employee didn’t do enough to help me (Gave up)

    • Employee wasn’t concerned about my issues (Lack of empathy)

    • Employee wasn’t fair

    • Took too long to solve my problem

    • The process was unfair

    • The laws/rules are unfair

    • Problem isn’t resolved

    • Didn’t receive the outcome I wanted (No refund/No adjustment)

    • Other _______________________________________________________

    • (DK/Don't recall)

    • (Refused)



10. (ASK if Q8 is satisfied) What are the main reasons you are satisfied with the Taxpayer Advocate Service? (For phone surveys, the surveyor will select the choice below that best matches the taxpayer’s response and if necessary will write verbatim comments in “Other” field.)


    • Employee was very helpful

    • Employee was very informative (Communicative)

    • Employee was concerned about resolving taxpayer’s issues (Empathy)

    • Employee followed through very well

    • Problem was solved in a timely manner

    • Problem was resolved to taxpayer’s satisfaction

    • Other _______________________________________________________

    • (DK/Don't recall)

    • (Refused)


11. How could the Taxpayer Advocate Service improve the service you received?




12. As a result of your experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, would you say your impression of the IRS is much more positive, more positive, about the same, more negative, or much more negative?


5 Much more positive

4 More positive

3 About the same

2 More negative

1 Much more negative


Demographics Section [This section will be asked only to taxpayers, not taxpayer representatives.]


Now I have a few demographic questions for you. You can skip any questions you don’t want to answer in this section.


13. Which of the following do you have in your household?

(Check all that apply)


Personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop)

Tablet (e.g., iPad)

Internet (dial up)

Internet (broad band or high speed cable)

Cell phone (pay per minute)

Cell phone (monthly contract or longer)

Cell phone with internet (e.g., Smartphone)

Landline (home telephone)

Other________________________________________________________________

None


14. Which of the following describes the highest level of education that you have attained?


(Stop when the highest level is reached)

  • Less than 9th grade

  • 9th grade to 12th grade, no diploma

  • High school graduate (or GED)

  • Some technical or vocational school

  • Technical or vocational school graduate

  • Some college, no degree

  • Associate Degree

  • Bachelor’s Degree

  • Some graduate work, no degree

  • Master’s Degree

  • Post-Master’s Degree


15. What is your household income?


Less than $25,000

$25,000 but less than $35,000

$35,000 but less than $50,000

$50,000 but less than $75,000

$75,000 but less than $100,000

$100,000 or more


16. What is your Age?


Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+


17. What is your gender (sex)?

(Note: if over the phone - do not ask, have interviewer mark)


Male

Female


18. How many people reside in your household?


1

2

3-4

5 or more


19. How would you define your marital or domestic status? (For phone surveys, the surveyor will select the choice below that best matches the taxpayer’s response.)


Married

Divorced

Separated

Widowed

Domestic Partnership

Single

Other




20. What is the primary language spoken in your household?

(Check one only)


English

Spanish

Chinese

French

Tagalog

Vietnamese

Korean

Other


END

[READ:] That completes our survey; however, we are required by law to report to you the OMB Control Number for this public information request. That number is 1545-1432. I can give you an address if you have any comments about the time estimate for completing the survey or about ways to improve the survey. Would you like the address? (If "Yes", read:)

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


Those are all of the questions I have. On behalf of the Taxpayer Advocate Service and Pacific Market Research I would like to thank you for your time.


Q27. INTERVIEWER: IN WHAT LANGUAGE WAS THIS SURVEY CONDUCTED?


  1. ENGLISH

  2. SPANISH



37


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