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Summertime marks the start of an activity-filled season for most, and that includes TAS as we join the IRS for the 2026 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum. Members of the TAS organization – along with myself and the Deputy National Taxpayer Advocate (DNTA) Kim Stewart – and representatives of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) are participating in the IRS’s annual outreach and education program. In addition to presenting seminars and hosting engagement tables, we look forward to bringing back our Town Hall series and the popular Case Resolution Room to help you with your clients’ toughest cases.
The Tax Forum provides a valuable service that connects tax professionals with important information and the continuing education that allows them to better serve their clients, and stay a step ahead of emerging tax issues. It’s also a learning opportunity for me to hear directly about the issues that give tax pros the most heartburn and listen to your suggestions about how we can improve tax administration and taxpayer services at the IRS and TAS.
As your National Taxpayer Advocate, it’s important to hear your concerns and those of the taxpayers you represent. I hope you’ll join Kim and myself as we host a Town Hall series at the Tax Forum. Our roles – and the role of TAS – is to serve as the “voice of the taxpayer” within the IRS. And as I’ve often said, I can’t be a voice unless I listen. These Town Halls are your sessions; I encourage you to bring your tough questions, systemic challenges, and success stories to these engaging discussions.
We also want to hear your feedback and experiences by participating in the TAS focus group all about identifying and elevating systemic issues in tax administration. During this focus group, TAS invites you to share recurring challenges you see in practice, and issues that create widespread burden, delay, or inequity.
By sharing your insights, you are playing a direct role in advancing fairness, efficiency, and trust in the tax system – helping to reduce the overall burden on taxpayers. If you’re interested in participating in a TAS focus group, be sure to sign up once you arrive onsite.
I’m pleased to share the TAS Case Resolution Room will return to the Tax Forum this summer! Case Resolution continues to be one of the most beneficial programs for tax professionals representing taxpayers with long-outstanding, unresolved, and problematic issues with the IRS.
TAS and IRS experts will:
If more time is needed, my staff will open a case and coordinate with the appropriate IRS office to resolve the issue. At the 2024 Tax Forums, the Case Resolution Room worked nearly 1,000 difficult cases, resolving about 80% of them onsite.
You may book your appointment once you arrive at the Tax Forum, but I would highly encourage you to secure your spot in advance using our appointment booking site. This streamlined approach allows you to reserve your time at the Case Resolution Room, upload the relevant documents needed to resolve your client’s case, and receive confirmation of your scheduled appointment.
While uploading documents in advance isn’t required, it does help prepare the Case Resolution Room staff so they can best help you during your appointment. Some common documents you may want to upload as part of your appointment booking include:
Also, consider uploading any documentation that provides additional information related to your client’s case. For example, if your client is dealing with identity theft, upload Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, and identity verification documents. If the case is related to your client’s business, include their Employer Identification Number, business formation documents, or payroll filings (e.g., Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return).
My staff is here to help you in resolving your client’s toughest case, so bring any new or relevant documents that have not been submitted. And remember, you’re able to bring one client case per event.
Visit the Case Resolution Room Appointment Booking Site to verify your eligibility and know what steps to complete in advance for a seamless visit. Appointment bookings open three weeks before each Tax Forum event. Be sure to secure your spot before they fill up!
One of the great benefits of the Tax Forum is the direct access tax pros have to the IRS and TAS. Attendees hear directly from us, as well as national association partners on tax law, policy, digital tools, and compliance issues that affect tax pros and taxpayers.
This year, TAS will present two seminars. The first topic, Coloring Outside the Lines: Shaping the Future of Tax Administration, provides an overview of the NTA 2026 Purple Book and how its legislative recommendations influence tax policy and procedural reform. The session will also explain how stakeholders can raise systemic issues to influence tax administration. You will gain insight into current procedural reforms and how to engage with TAS to help drive meaningful improvements.
The second seminar, Representation 101, will cover Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, and Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization, with an explanation of the distinctions between representation and disclosure, and the legal “scope of authority” under Treasury Department Circular No. 230. The session will also explain how TAS can assist with authorization issues, including procedures for Expedited CAF Processing in TAS cases.
You can see the full description of our sessions, as well as the other seminars on the Tax Forum website.
Representatives from the TAP will be available at each Tax Forum location to get feedback about any tax issues practitioners are experiencing and educate tax practitioners about the TAP mission and impact. And I invite you to visit the TAS engagement table in the Expo Hall to continue conversations, learn more about how you and your clients can partner with TAS, and share your insights with my team.
I often say that none of us at TAS or the IRS could do our jobs without tax professionals. You are our eyes and ears on the ground, and your first-hand experiences are invaluable in helping me, TAS, and the IRS better serve our taxpayers. Your participation matters.
We look forward to seeing you there and engaging with you this summer at the upcoming IRS Nationwide Tax Forum events!
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the National Taxpayer Advocate. The National Taxpayer Advocate presents an independent taxpayer perspective that does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRS, the Treasury Department, or the Office of Management and Budget. NTA Blog posts are generally not updated after publication. Posts are accurate as of the original publication date. Portions of this blog may have been developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence. All AI-assisted content has been reviewed, verified, and approved by the National Taxpayer Advocate or TAS staff to ensure accuracy and integrity.