If you’ve ever thought the federal tax system was too complicated and hard to understand, now’s your chance to make a difference. The I-R-S is looking for a couple of Iowans to serve on its Taxpayer Advocacy Panel.

Steve Landauer of Davenport is currently on the panel. He says the I-R-S is looking for people who’re interested in “improving the customer service and or satisfaction with the I-R-S.” Landauer says the website says you’re required to put in three to 500 hours, but he doesn’t think it takes that much time. Landauer says they want you to spend time talking with the public about issues they have with the I-R-S.
He says you then bring the issues forward to a subcommittee and then to the I-R-S with assigns an analysts and gathers facts on the issues.

Landauer is a C-P-A — but he says you don’t have to be a tax whiz to join the panel. Landauer says they have people from all walks of life, although he says having a background in accounting is helpful. Landauer says you can serve a two or three-year term. He is coming to the end of his three years. He says his appointment is up in October and the I-R-S is looking for someone to replace him and also someone to act as an alternate. You can get an application form at: www.improveirs.org. The deadline to apply is April 28th.