IRS announces new advisory council members: IR-2013-12, Jan. 28, 2013.

WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service today announced the selection of six new members to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC), which provides an organized public forum for IRS officials and representatives of the public to discuss key tax administration issues.

Members are selected to represent the taxpaying public, tax professionals, small and large businesses, academia and the payroll community. The council provides the IRS commissioner and division leadership with important feedback, observations and suggestions.

"Members of IRSAC help the IRS shape future tax administration by providing valuable feedback and recommendations," said Steven T. Miller, IRS Acting Commissioner.

IRSAC meets periodically and will submit a report to the agency in November 2013 at a public meeting. IRSAC members generally serve a three-year term with a possible one-year extension. The six new members will join 18 returning members in 2013.

The new members are:

* MICHELE J. ALEXANDER, who has more than 30 years' experience in taxation, is the owner of Jackson, Jackson & Jackson, in Pittsburgh. She specializes in tax preparation for individuals, businesses and organizations, including the preparation and filing of all federal, state and local tax returns as well as business, corporate, partnerships and Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns. As tax professionals, her company handles all aspects of taxation. In addition, she represents clients before the IRS at the Examination and Appeals level. Alexander is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP).

* MARK STEPHEN MESLER, JD, who has more than 25 years' experience in taxation, is a Principal with Ernst & Young, LLP, in Atlanta. He leads Ernst & Young's Southeast Tax Controversy and Risk Management Service group and represents taxpayers before the IRS at all levels of tax controversies. His responsibilities include both large global companies and middle market. He has assisted them on a variety of dispute resolution tools and processes, including the Quality Examination Process, Fast Track Settlement, preparing for litigation, Pre-Filing Agreements, and Private Letter Rulings. In addition, he served on teams tasked with implementing major IRS policy initiatives, such as the disclosure of reportable transactions by taxpayers and material advisors, implementation of Schedule M-3, Schedule UTP, and changes to Circular 230.

* LUIS PARRA, EA, is the owner of Key Accounting of...