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Campaign finance and tax law

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Does tax break for volunteering makes volunteers mercenaries?

IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

According to their newest press release, the IRS is seeking “civic-minded volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.”

“The feedback and suggestions that the TAP provides us from the taxpayer’s point of view are important to sound tax administration,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.

The TAP provides a forum for taxpayers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to raise concerns about IRS service and offer suggestions for improvement. The TAP reports annually to the Secretary of the Treasury, the IRS Commissioner and the National Taxpayer Advocate. The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, an independent organization within the IRS, provides oversight and funding for the TAP.

“In trying to comply with an increasingly complex tax system, taxpayers may find they need different services from the IRS,” said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. “The TAP is vital because it provides the IRS with the taxpayer’s perspective and recommendations for improvements that will help the IRS to deliver the best possible service to assist taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations.”

To be a member of the TAP you must be a U.S. citizen, current with your federal tax obligations, able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year, and able to pass an FBI criminal background check. New TAP members will serve a three-year term starting in December 2010. Anyone chosen as an alternate member will be considered to fill any vacancies that open in their area during the next two years.

Volunteer, Sacramento!

Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento is asking YOU to be the change in your community and join the Mayor's Volunteer Challenge. Volunteer Sacramento is partnering with Hands On Sacramento and they have set a goal to make Sacramento the number one city in the state for volunteerism.

Getting involved is easy to do. Simply join the Mayor's Volunteering Team, and start volunteering your time! All they're asking is for you (us) to donate as little as 10 hours this year. That's less than an hour each month! Those 10 hours translate into an economic contribution of more than ten million dollars back into our city. Think about that... just a little of your time to give a lot back to your community.

Here at Roni Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation we have our own Community Action Committee where we donate time, items, and money to local organizations each month. Last month we collected blankets and warm winter clothing for The Effort, A Family Resource Center here in North Highlands, California. We were able to donate seven large bags full of winter items valued at $1,000! You can see pictures of that day here on my Flickr account.

This month (March, 2010) we are organizing an Easter Egg Drive to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Your volunteer act doesn’t have to be on a grand scale. Sacramento is full of organizations and non-profits that you could help for one hour a month! Some on-going volunteer opportunities are located at the Hands On Sacramento website.

IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

The IRS posted a new press release today discussing their need for volunteers, to assist in taking comments from taxpayers in the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP). The panel “listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.”

“TAP members are your friends and neighbors, walking in the shoes of the average taxpayer. A better understanding of how to serve the taxpayer well is a key to sound tax administration,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner.

TAP provides a forum for taxpayers from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. TAP is a federal advisory committee that reports annually to the Treasury Department, the IRS and the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, which is an independent organization within the IRS. The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate provides oversight and funding of TAP.

“As the IRS continues to examine taxpayers’ needs in the area of service, the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel has emerged as a vital source for gathering and providing information from the perspective of taxpayers,” said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. “TAP’s role will ultimately aid taxpayers by helping the IRS to provide them with the top quality service they deserve."

To be a member of TAP you must be a U.S. citizen, current with your tax obligations, able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year and pass an FBI criminal background check. New TAP members will serve a three-year term starting in December 2009. Anyone chosen as an alternate would be considered to fill any vacancies that open during the next two years.

TAP members are being sought for the following states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

Alternates are being sought for: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Applications to become a member of TAP will be accepted until April 30. Applications are available online at www.improveirs.org. Applications can also be received through the mail by calling toll-free 1-888-912-1227.