A bipartisan bill introduced on July 29 by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) aims to enhance the authority of the National Taxpayer Advocate, an official who acts as the voice of taxpayers and helps them resolve tax problems, protects their rights, and recommends fixes for systemic Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues directly to Congress. The senator cosponsored the Strengthening Taxpayer Advocacy Act, S. 5162, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), both of whom are members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. The National Taxpayer Advocate leads the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent organization within the IRS that the lawmakers say plays a critical role in helping individuals who cannot resolve issues through standard IRS channels. “This bill will strengthen the Taxpayer Advocate Service so it can better serve taxpayers and ensure they receive the help they deserve,” added Sen. Young. The legislation would extend the National Taxpayer Advocate’s independent personnel authority to all TAS officers and employees, including national office staff.