Advocacy That Makes a Difference

The TXCPA Federal Tax Policy Committee is dedicated to advocating for our members and the accounting profession at the national level. Our team of experienced professionals reviews federal tax legislation, regulations, and administrative pronouncements to ensure your voice is heard in Washington. Through proactive engagement, we provide thoughtful feedback and expert input to policymakers, striving to shape fair and effective tax policy that supports the needs of our members and the broader accounting community.

What We Do

Analyze proposed federal tax laws and regulations for their impact on our members and the profession.
Submit formal letters, comments, and recommendations to key government agencies and officials.
Keep TXCPA members informed about critical policy developments and opportunities for engagement.
Represent the collective expertise and interests of Texas CPAs in the federal policy-making process.

Response Letters and Articles

We are committed to transparency and keeping you updated on our advocacy efforts. View the most recent letters submitted by the Federal Tax Policy Committee, as well as articles drafted on recent federal tax issues here.

By William Stromsem, CPA, J.D.,
Department of Accountancy, George Washington University School of Business

March, 5, 2025

TXCPA’s Federal Tax Policy Committee is concerned with increased delays in USPS mail deliveries exacerbating the timeliness of IRS submissions to and from practitioners and their clients. We have heard of instances where first-class mail is taking two weeks or more to deliver. When dealing with an IRS response deadline, mail delays can result in the IRS sending out incorrect penalty and interest statements, or worse, for failure to timely respond to the notices.

In addition to USPS delivery delays, the committee has received increasing reports of delays in IRS processing responses from taxpayers and practitioners, sending follow-up notices despite the practitioner receiving date-stamped certified mail receipts showing timely delivery. These internal IRS delays will likely get worse with current budget cuts and personnel reductions.

When a notice response is not delivered and/or recorded timely by the IRS, it causes a domino effect of erroneous follow-up notices, added penalty and interest, client distress, and duplicative work by the practitioner to avoid punitive action against the taxpayer.

The committee is drafting a letter to the IRS describing specific scenarios with recommendations to reduce these problems. One recommendation is that the IRS include a three-week pause after a response due date before sending follow-up notices so that it can receive and properly record the timely submission. The letter also includes suggestions for better communications channels with the IRS, like better email procedures and possibly a practitioner document-submission hotline.

In the meantime, practitioners should consider alternatives to paper submissions, using IRS accounts, secure faxes, secure email and other options. The IRS has been making improvements to its online communication systems, but their procedures often require some extra steps to protect taxpayer information and prevent identity theft. Some means of online communications may require use of ID.me to verify the practitioner’s identity with a dual-authentication code for a submission. One alternative system is to use the IRS Online Account; this link will take you to a slide deck from the IRS Stakeholder Liaison Office that explains how the system is used. The 44-slide presentation may seem like a lot, but it may help you save time in resolving erroneous notices and other account issues.

TXCPA’s committee will continue to engage and provide feedback to the IRS on ways to improve tax administration and the taxpayer experience.

Postal Service overhaul could expose communities to slower mail

USPS sets lower targets for on-time mail, drawing ire from lawmakers

New IRS Must-Have Tools for Taxpayers and CPAs - TXCPA Federal Tax Policy Blog

Online account for individuals | Internal Revenue Service

Tax documents added to IRS Individual Online Account tool, enhancing services and convenience for taxpayers | Internal Revenue Service

Why This Matters

This incredibly important work helps ensure that tax regulations and accounting standards are fair, practical, and serve the public interest. Discourse with regulatory bodies during rulemaking can make a huge impact on our economic well-being.
A Public Service

Providing feedback to standard setting and regulatory bodies on proposed rules is of crucial importance. Accounting professionals provide a grassroots perspective from those who understand the wider ramifications of rules compliance.
We Need You!

Volunteerism is at the heart of our all our advocacy efforts. Fresh faces and new perspectives are always much welcome - and much needed. Make your voice heard and make a difference!
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What TXCPA is doing

Browse through our latest feedback to regulators.