Tax Notes Talk IRS Advisory Committee Chair Previews 2026 Filing Season
Jan 16, 2026
Philip Hwang, the Chief Tax Officer at Optima Tax Relief and national chair of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, shares insights on the looming 2026 filing season. He dives into the challenges taxpayers face, like refund delays and the impact of IRS staff cuts. Hwang highlights the shift toward digital refunds and the importance of reaching out to unbanked taxpayers. He also explains the new automatic first-time penalty abatement and offers advice on managing client expectations with upcoming changes.
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Centralize Online Services To Scale Help
- TAP focuses on systemic issues like online engagement and centralized taxpayer accounts.
- Improving authentication and consolidating IRS notices could let taxpayers self-serve more effectively.
Preserve Capacity Through Committee Consolidation
- Consolidate TAP subcommittees and leverage volunteers to maintain oversight despite staff freezes.
- Use alternates and extend terms to preserve institutional knowledge during staffing cuts.
Adaptability And Expectations Matter
- The IRS has repeatedly adapted to crises and will likely use automation and education to manage service limits.
- Managing taxpayer expectations is as important as technological fixes.