The IRS is looking for volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel.

The panel is a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations to the IRS for improving services.

The panel reports annually to the Secretary of the Treasury, the IRS Commissioner and the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate.

"In trying to comply with an increasingly complex tax system, taxpayers may find they need different services than the IRS is currently providing," said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. "The TAP is vital because it provides the IRS with the taxpayers' perspective as well as recommendations for improvement. This helps the IRS deliver the best possible service to assist taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations."

The volunteer advocacy panels includes members from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each member is appointed to represent the interests of taxpayers in their geographic location as well as taxpayers as a whole.

To be a member of the panels, volunteers must be a U.S. citizen, be current with federal tax obligations, be able to commit 200 to 300 hours during the year and pass an FBI criminal background check. New members will serve a three-year term starting in December. Applicants chosen as alternate members will be considered to fill any vacancies that open in their areas during the next three years.

Applications for the panel will be accepted through April 1.

Applications are available online at www.improveirs.org. For additional information about the panel or the application process, call 888-912-1227 and select prompt No. 5. Interested volunteers also can email staff at taxpayeradvocacypanel@irs.gov.