Metro Detroit Resident Selected for IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

A metro Detroit man was recently selected by the Treasury Department to serve on the nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP). Panel members listen to taxpayers, identify issues and make suggestions for improving Internal Revenue Service (IRS service and customer satisfaction.

Hodari P.T. Brown, a resident of Michigan and the city of Redford, is one of about 70 volunteers serving on the panel. He will represent local taxpayers as well as work on national issues.  Upon his selection, Brown is a Public Affairs Specialist in Detroit, said, “Being a veteran, serving is my mission but being able to serve my nation as a volunteer citizen for the IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is an incredible opportunity. I represent the entire state of Michigan and I look forward to helping to improve the IRS service and customer service through my work as a member of TAP.”

TAP members devote 200 to 300 hours yearly to the panel. Members work with IRS executives on priority topics and also serve as a conduit for grassroots issues between the public and the IRS. Some of the professions represented on the panel include teachers, engineers, attorneys, public administrators, home makers, accountants, law enforcement officers, professors, and retired military and small business owners.

“The new panel members play a critical role by helping to ensure the IRS provides quality taxpayer service to all taxpayers”, said Nina Olson, IRS National Taxpayer Advocate and head of the Taxpayer Advocate Service. “As the IRS remains committed to improving services and assistance to taxpayers, the input from the citizen volunteers at TAP has never been more important. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is committed to making sure the IRS seeks out and considers panel member’s views on key initiatives impacting taxpayers before decisions are made.”  The IRS has made a commitment to listen to ideas from TAP members.

Taxpayers can contact Hodari Brown and the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel by calling 1-888-912-1227 or via the Internet at www.improveirs.org.