The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council, also known as IRSAC, is a group of tax practitioners from around the U.S. representing the interest of the public. The group comes from a variety of tax backgrounds to hear proposed initiatives from the IRS and bring their individual perspectives.
Ted Afield, director of the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic and Georgia State associate professor of law is hoping to bring his unique viewpoint to IRSAC. Afield began a three-year term on the council in January.
“I plan to give insight on their initiatives, because what works well for large corporate tax payers or high net worth individuals could potentially create some problems for the low-income tax payer community,” Afield said. “I can give perspective on how we might address those problems.”
There are four meetings throughout the year in Washington, D.C. Each time the council meets with different subgroups of the IRS. At the end of the year, IRSAC produces a public report with written recommendations provided to the IRS. Afield will be sitting alongside a full range of tax practitioners from accounting firms, private companies, businesses and law firms.
“I am looking forward to this in terms of the impact that I can have,” said Afield. “It’s also good for our Georgia State students because the more I get to know the other IRSAC members professionally, they could all be potential employers for our students.”
Written by Mara Thompson