2012-9606. Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC); Nominations

AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury.

ACTION:

Request for applications.

SUMMARY:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requests applications of individuals to be considered for selection as members of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC). Nominations should describe and document the proposed member's qualification for IRSAC membership, including the applicant's knowledge of Circular 230 regulations and the applicant's past or current affiliations and dealings with the particular tax segment or segments of the community that the applicant wishes to represent on the council. Applications will be accepted for current vacancies from qualified individuals and from professional and public interest groups that wish to have representatives on the IRSAC. The IRSAC is comprised of no more than thirty-five (35) appointed members; approximately seven of these appointments will expire in December 2012. It is important that the IRSAC continue to represent a diverse taxpayer and stakeholder base. Accordingly, to maintain membership diversity, selection is based on the applicant's qualifications as well as areas of expertise, geographic diversity, major stakeholder representation and customer segments.

The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) provides an organized public forum for IRS officials and representatives of the public to discuss relevant tax administration issues. The council advises the IRS on issues that have a substantive effect on federal tax administration. As an advisory body designed to focus on broad policy matters, the IRSAC reviews existing tax policy and/or recommends policies with respect to emerging tax administration issues. The IRSAC suggests operational improvements, offers constructive observations regarding current or proposed IRS policies, programs, and procedures, and advises the IRS with respect to issues having substantive effect on federal tax administration.

DATES:

Written applications will be accepted from May 1, 2012 through June 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Applications should be sent to National Public Liaison, CL:NPL:P, Room 7559 IR, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, Attn: Lorenza Wilds; or by email: *[e-mail]. Applications may be submitted by mail to the address above or faxed to 202-927-4123. Application packages are available on the Tax Professional's Page, which is located on the IRS Internet Web site at http://www.irs.gov/​taxpros/​index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Lorenza Wilds, 202-622-6440 (not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

IRSAC was authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, the first Advisory Group to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue—or the Commissioner's Advisory Group (“CAG”)—was established in 1953 as a “national policy and/or issue advisory committee.” Renamed in 1998, the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) reflects the agency-wide scope of its focus as an advisory body to the entire agency. The IRSAC's primary purpose is to provide an organized public forum for senior IRS executives and representatives of the public to discuss relevant tax administration issues.

Conveying the public's perception of IRS activities, the IRSAC is comprised of individuals who bring substantial, disparate experience and diverse backgrounds on the Council's activities. Membership is balanced to include representation from the taxpaying public, the tax professional community, small and large businesses, international, wage and investment taxpayers and the knowledge of Circular 230.

IRSAC members are nominated by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Treasury to serve a three year term. There are four subcommittees of IRSAC, the (Small Business/Self Employed (SB/SE); Large Business and International (LB&I); Wage & Investment (W&I); and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

Members are not paid for their services. However, travel expenses for working sessions, public meetings and orientation sessions, such as airfare, per diem, and transportation to and from airports, train stations, etc., are reimbursed within prescribed federal travel limitations.

An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to all applicants. In accordance with the Department of Treasury Directive 21-03, a clearance process including, annual tax checks, and a practitioner check with the Office of Professional Responsibility will be conducted. In addition, all applicants deemed “best qualified” will have to undergo a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check. Federally-registered lobbyists cannot be members of the IRSAC.

Equal opportunity practices will be followed for all appointments to the IRSAC in accordance with the Department of Treasury and IRS policies. The IRS has special interest in assuring that women and men, members of all races and national origins, and individuals with disabilities are welcomed for service on advisory committees; and therefore, extends particular encouragement to nominations from such appropriately qualified candidates.

Dated: April 16, 2012.

Candice Cromling,

Director, National Public Liaison.