Non-Profit Plan Sponsor Clients Can Apply for IRS Committee

The Internal Revenue Service has commenced the application process for a limited number of open positions on the Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities, which “provides a venue for public input on relevant areas of tax administration.” 

Of particular interest to 403(b) and 457 plan sponsors will be the two vacancies in the “Employee Plans” division of the committee. IRS says it is seeking candidates with “experience in federal, state and local governments” to help improve its understanding and management of the tax-exempt retirement plan marketplace, among other broader goals related to tax administration. 

Members are appointed by the Department of the Treasury and serve three-year terms, beginning in June 2018. Applications will be accepted through September 18, 2017.

The committee is further described as “an organized public forum for the IRS and representatives who deal with employee plans, exempt organizations, tax-exempt bonds, and federal, state, local and Indian tribal governments.” The committee “allows the IRS to receive regular input on administrative policy and procedures of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division (TE/GE).”

Applications can be made by completing the ACT Application Form (Form 12399-C). Applications should reflect the proposed member’s qualifications, IRS explains. Members of the ACT may not be federally registered lobbyists. A notice published in the Federal Register, dated August 17, 2017, contains more details about the ACT and the application process. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

As the IRS explains, members of this committee are in a unique position to “provide observations about current or proposed IRS policies, programs and procedures, and suggest improvements through a yearly final report.”