Nina Olson talked about some of the consequences for taxpayers if President Obama and Congress cannot agree on a compromise to avoid the “fiscal cliff.” Other topics included the alternative minimum tax, her job at the IRS as a taxpayer advocate, and the top issues for the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate in 2013. She also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. 
“Fiscal cliff” referred to impending tax increases and budget cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress failed to reach a budget agreement.