IRS Independent Office of Appeals’ priorities for 2023 focus on taxpayer service

IR-2022-195, November 4, 2022

WASHINGTON — Today, the IRS Independent Office of Appeals released its focus guide for fiscal year 2023. Appeals is taking important steps to expand communications with external stakeholders and to improve taxpayer access to Appeals. Promoting transparency and taxpayer access helps Appeals fulfill its mission to resolve tax disputes in a fair and impartial manner without the need for litigation.

The focus guide outlines the taxpayer service initiatives you can expect over the coming year, including:

• Increasing stakeholder outreach – including to historically marginalized and limited English proficient communities—about the appeals process.
• Improving access to in-person and video conferences and revising letters and notices to ensure taxpayers understand that it is generally their choice how to meet with Appeals.
• Leveraging technology to improve how Appeals works and manages its cases.
• Continuing the Practitioner Perspectives series in which tax practitioners share insights and feedback with Appeals employees. Recordings of prior panel discussions on Collection Appeals and Examination Appeals are available.
• Developing training for Appeals employees on enhancing customer engagement.

“We are excited to share Appeals’ 2023 priorities,” said Andy Keyso, Chief of Appeals. “We will keep doing all we can to promote a positive experience for taxpayers and practitioners, while building upon our past accomplishments and applying lessons we learned from the challenges posed by COVID-19.”