This Thanksgiving, as we continue to adjust our work and personal lives, I am reflecting on the many reasons I have to be grateful. I am especially grateful for my TAS family and so proud of the work they do every day to make a difference in the lives of so many taxpayers. Their empathy, resourcefulness, and innovation are much appreciated.

I am grateful for our IRS colleagues and leadership and all that they accomplished this past year.  I am so very thankful for their dedication in serving others every day. It has been a difficult past 20 months and without their hard work, many taxpayers would not have received the help they needed.

This past year, we as an organization have faced many challenges and still have work to do. But I appreciate working together as one team with an “all hands on deck” approach to help each other through the good days and particularly the challenging days.

I want to express my gratitude to the members of Congress and their staff for all they do for taxpayers and tax administration. I also want to acknowledge and express my appreciation to our tax community – our Taxpayer Advocacy Panel volunteers, Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, our stakeholders, numerous tax organizations, and the many practitioners working to help taxpayers. And I even want to give a shout out to the press for helping us get the word out to our taxpayers across our great nation by providing key information to educate and assist our citizens. Each and every one of you significantly contributes to TAS and the IRS being able to accomplish our mission.

For me, Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on the good while spending time with my family and friends. Regardless of how you spend the day – whether it’s spending quality time with those closest to you, sharing a meal, volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, watching or playing football, going to a park, hiking, or looking through photo albums – simply enjoy some quiet time to think about what you’re most thankful for this year.

I look forward to what lies ahead, and I am greatly appreciative of the many contributions the tax community brings to our table to assist taxpayers and tax administration. Wishing all a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Be sure to take care of yourself as much as you care for others.

On behalf of TAS leadership, thank you for all you do!