{"id":57893,"date":"2023-05-11T11:26:34","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T18:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=57893"},"modified":"2023-05-11T11:26:34","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T18:26:34","slug":"improving-nationwide-access-to-irs-appeals-public-input-wanted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=57893","title":{"rendered":"Improving nationwide access to IRS Appeals; public input wanted"},"content":{"rendered":"

IR-2023-101, May 11, 2023, WASHINGTON<\/strong> \u2013The Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals today invited public input on how best to improve access to Appeals for taxpayers who do not live near an Appeals office.<\/p>\n

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Appeals resolves federal tax disputes without litigation in a way that is fair and impartial to taxpayers and the government. If a taxpayer\u2019s dispute with the IRS qualifies for an appeal, the office will review the issues with a fresh, objective perspective and schedule a conference.<\/p>\n

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\u201cConferences are a key way in which Appeals hears the taxpayer\u2019s position, understands the law and facts in dispute and proposes a resolution,\u201d said Andy Keyso, Chief of Appeals. \u201cDuring the conference, the Appeals officer will engage with taxpayers in discussing potential settlements. At the conclusion of their appeal, they should understand exactly how and why their case was resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Appeals offers a variety of conference options<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Appeals offers conferences by telephone, video and in person and can also resolve a taxpayer\u2019s dispute by mail or secure messaging. Generally, it\u2019s the taxpayer\u2019s or their representative\u2019s choice how to meet with Appeals. The type of conference chosen doesn’t impact Appeals\u2019 decision. Employees can successfully resolve taxpayers\u2019 disputes with the IRS using each type of conference.<\/p>\n

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Though telephone conferences are consistently the most popular choice among taxpayers with pending appeals, the office has expanded use of video conferencing<\/a> nationwide. Given the increased popularity of video conferences over the past few years, Appeals is creating permanent guidelines for video conferences, informed by public input<\/a>. They\u2019re also ensuring that taxpayers and representatives who prefer to meet with Appeals in person have that option. Appeals has a presence in over 60 offices across 40 states where they can host in-person conferences.<\/p>\n

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Appeals offices tend to be in heavily populated areas, which makes them convenient for most taxpayers and representatives who request an in-person conference. However, not all taxpayers live close to an Appeals office. While these taxpayers may prefer the convenience of meeting by telephone or video, Appeals wants to be sure they have a reasonable way to accommodate requests to meet in person as well.<\/p>\n

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Public input sought on ensuring accessibility to all taxpayers, representatives<\/strong><\/p>\n

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To meet in person with taxpayers in states with little or no Appeals presence, Appeals would historically \u201ccircuit ride,\u201d meaning Appeals Officers would travel quarterly to a designated location in the state. In practice, it has been helpful to have more flexibility in both timing and in finding a convenient location for the conference, without state lines posing a potential barrier. For example, some taxpayers living in Kansas find it more convenient to meet in Kansas City, Missouri, rather than at the IRS office in Wichita, the designated location in Kansas. Also, Appeals has traveled as needed to meet taxpayer requests, finding the strict quarterly schedule to be at times too often and sometimes not often enough.<\/p>\n

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Appeals already has a policy of providing an in-person conference reasonably convenient to taxpayers and is committed to upholding this \u201creasonably convenient\u201d standard by traveling to an IRS office closer to a taxpayer who does not live near an Appeals office. Some limitations, such as regulatory requirements or the availability of Appeals officers with the right technical expertise apply.<\/p>\n

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In coordination with the National Taxpayer Advocate, Appeals welcomes public comments on how it can further improve conference options for taxpayers and representatives who are not located near an Appeals office. Appeals particularly welcomes thoughts on:<\/p>\n

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