Panel Gets An Earful About Disputes With Irs

A group convened to take taxpayer comment on Internal Revenue Service policies and service has heard little so far on those issues, a Spokane member said Tuesday.

Instead, said James Desautel, the Citizens Advocacy Panel has become a sounding board for taxpayer disputes with the agency.

Although the panel has had some success getting those problems resolved, he said he and the other members from the Northwest and Hawaii are eager to get at some of the broader issues that cause so much resentment toward the IRS.

“We’re not really getting some of the meat,” Desautel said.

The Northwest panel is one of four organized around the U.S. authorized by President Clinton. Their creation followed a firestorm of anger during congressional hearings into abuses by IRS officials.

The panel will be in Spokane on Saturday to hold its third public meeting. Earlier sessions were held in Seattle and Anchorage.

Desautel said turnout has been light, fewer than 30 at both events. More comments come on a toll-free telephone line, he said, adding “I don’t know what to expect in Spokane.”

Desautel said the panel tries to get each problem resolved quickly. For the most part, he said, the IRS has been very responsive when specific cases are brought to the agency’s attention.

Policy issues have been trickier, he said.

“The IRS still isn’t sure what to make of the CAP,” Desautel said. “The marriage is still in the honeymoon stage.”

He said one or two panels have advanced to the point they have made recommendations to IRS district offices. The Northwest panel has not reached that point, he said.

Possible suggestions could touch on estimated tax reports, self-employment taxes and simplification of the tax laws.

There have been successes on the individual front, Desautel said. The group sponsored a software upgrade that gives users of the IRS Web site more appropriate answers to frequently asked questions.

Taxpayers confused by IRS forms or rulings have - with the aid of agents - had problems resolved, he said.

IF YOU GO IRS meeting The Citizens Advocacy Panel meets Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ridpath Hotel, 515 W. Sprague. To reserve a time for comment, call 1-888-912-1227. The Web site address is www.improveirs.com.