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IRS Getting Some Advice from a Pennsylvania CPA
Cheri H. Freeh, CPA, PICPA past president and a leader in the efforts to streamline and increase efficiency in local income tax collection, has moved to the national stage with her three-year appointment to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC). Cheri took a few minutes to share her impressions on the experience.
PICPA Past President, Cheri Freeh, CPA
Cheri H. Freeh, CPA, PICPA past president and a leader in the efforts to streamline and increase efficiency in local income tax collection, has moved to the national stage with her three-year appointment to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC). Twenty members from across the country serve on this advisory body.
Cheri, who just came back from her second meeting, took a few minutes to share impressions on the experience, how she got appointed, and what she hopes to accomplish.
How did you get appointed?
I happened to be on the IRS website one day, and saw that they were accepting applications for the IRSAC. Due to my participation on the PICPA State Taxation Committee and our liaison with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, I have learned the value of strong business networking connections with the government. I thought “Why not go national?” I completed an application – one of hundreds that were received from across the country – and I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the six new members of the council in January.
Why volunteer your time for this appointment?
I have a passion to help improve the tax collection system. Through my PICPA involvement, I had opportunities to help improve the local and state systems. I’m hoping to be able to do the same at the national level. I feel I can be a voice for the small, local tax practitioner that may not otherwise be heard.
How many meetings will be held a year?
We have meetings in Washington, D.C. five times each year. The council is responsible for identifying a few key focus areas each year that we feel need particular attention, either from taxpayers or the IRS. We then work on research and drafting a report that will be issued at a press conference in Washington in November.
What have the meetings been like?
I had the opportunity to meet several key IRS representatives: the commissioner and deputy commissioners and many of their staff members. They provided us with information regarding the process of identifying issues. Our group was then broken down in to smaller subgroups to focus on our particular areas. I have been assigned to the Small Business and Self Employed (SBSE) Group, which is very appropriate.
What is the most important message you want the IRS to hear?
Our next meeting in May will decide on the focus of our group, but some of the issues raised were in regard to improving the CP2000 notices to make them more clear, improving the guidance for small businesses regarding their requirements under Affordable Care Act, improving guidance regarding information return reporting, the growing issue of business identity theft, and educating taxpayers regarding IRS communications and collection processes.
Have you received advice or suggestions from clients or colleagues once they heard about the appointment?
Everyone wants me to fix the IRS! To which I have responded, “I’ll take care of that once I solve the World Peace problem and figure out how to lose weight without diet and exercise.” LOL. There are a significant number of issues, but due to budget constraints there is realistically only so much the IRS can do. If it had an unlimited budget they could fix everyone’s issue and keep everyone happy without having to wait on hold for 45 minutes, but no one wants to pay higher taxes to fund the IRS. Hopefully we will be able to improve one small issue at a time which, over time, should lead to overall improvement.
Local practitioners require significant time providing client service. What advice would you give to other practitioners interested in getting involved in either state or national level tax issues?
Sleep is over rated!
Honestly, it’s not easy, but my smart phone and iPad have made it easier to keep in touch with my clients even when I’m not in the office. Also, I come from a small firm of 12 and I couldn’t do it without the help of these amazing people and the way we all pull together as a team to get the work done.
How does this appointment help you serve your clients better?
It’s early in the appointment, but I’m hoping that I will be able to improve the tax collection system so compliance is easier. I’m also hoping that the business connections I develop will help me to resolve client issues more quickly.
Any final thoughts?
I honestly do not believe that I would have been given this opportunity if it hadn’t been for my involvement with the PICPA. Your membership is worth what you put in to it. I chose to get involved, and as a result I have had so many opportunities to be heard and help make a difference. As a small, local, practitioner, I can’t emphasize how important my PICPA membership has been to me. The PICPA is a highly respected organization and that opens doors for its members if we’re willing to make the effort to get involved.
The next IRSAC report will be released to the IRS in a public meeting in Washington, D.C. in November 2014. Stay tuned! We’ll have Cheri report back on the final recommendations.
