The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) presented their 2007 Public Report to Acting Commissioner Linda Stiff on November 15th. The report is a culmination of meetings with senior IRS executives, and guidance and research from operating division and Communication and Liaison staff members. During the presentation made by the IRSAC Chairwoman, Cathy Peinhardt, Acting Commissioner Stiff probed into several recommendations made by the council.

The two issues with the most discussion were the call for a "Fast Track Collection Program" for quick resolution of tax issues for taxpayers currently outside the tax system, and the role of the newly formed Tax Gap Analysis Subgroup of IRSAC. Deputy Commissioner Spires asked if this Subgroup would be making recommendations on how to reduce the tax gap.   The Subgroup has been tasked with assisting the IRS' Office of Research, Analysis, and Statistics (RAS) with refining the methodologies for calculating the value of the tax gap, as well as uncovering new areas of noncompliance. Based on those findings, the other IRSAC Subgroups would then make recommendations to IRS for program changes or enhancements to actually reduce the gap.

After the presentation to Acting Commissioner Stiff and Deputy Commissioner Spires, the individual IRSAC Subgroups presented their reports to Commissioner Morgante of Wage and Investment Operating Division, Commissioner Ng of Large and Mid-Size Business Operating Division, and Commissioner Petronchak of Small Business/Self Employed Operating Division. The discussion of the recommendations was substantive, and reflected the nature of the divergent yet collegial relationship between IRS and IRSAC.

IRSAC General Information