As you know, this year we have particularly active in challenging in court efforts to erode the confidentiality of tax returns and return information, which will ultimately undermine taxpayers’ trust in the tax system and their willingness to file accurate returns.  (You can read about the opinion in Center for Taxpayer Rights v. IRS here, in which court granted a preliminary injunction essentially stopping the IRS from changing its policy and sharing taxpayer address information with the US Immigration and Enforcement Agency.)  We have also been working on projects to envision what an effective and equitable tax administration looks like in the 21^st century, including how artificial intelligence can be utilized without undermining taxpayer rights and harming vulnerable populations.

In January we will be publishing several major reports, with recommendations for oversight of return preparers and for an inclusive definition of the family with respect to tax benefits for families and children.  And in February we will open up registration for the 11^th International Conference on Taxpayer Rights, which will be held at the University of Pretoria in South Africa from July 28 through July 30^th.   The theme of the conference is Taxpayer Rights, Social Justice & Political Will in Developing Countries.  We are really proud that the South African Tax Clinic initiative will be launched at our conference!

That’s just the proverbial tip of the iceberg in terms of the work we are doing.  So please consider making a donation – every gift, regardless of amount, really helps!

We look forward to seeing and sharing with you in the new year!

All the best, 

Nina
Nina E. Olson
Executive Director