Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
Ad Hoc Teleconference
April 4, 2005

Attendance

• Larry Behnkendorf
• David Cain
• Larry Combs
• Harold Gadon
• Jim Grimaldi
• Steven Landauer
• Greg Maciulla
• Patrick Matthews
• Patrick McCombie
• Judi Nicholas, Designated Federal Official
• Buck Paolone
• Teresa Smedley
• Deborah Thomas
• Faith Vinikoor
• Sherry Whah, Chair
• Lillian Woo

Staff

• Mary Peterson O’Brien, Program Analyst
• Marla Ofilas, Note Taker

Welcome/Roll Call
Sherry welcomed the members. A roll call was taken and confirmed that a quorum was met.

Announcements
No additions to the agenda were made and there were no announcements.

Ad Hoc Subcommittee Issues

• IRS CPE for Employees
  Steve discussed that the committee was still in the process of scheduling a time with the education experts at Grant Thorton. All the subcommittee members agreed to stay on the call after the meeting to schedule a time to meet. The committee is still gathering information about how each IRS Business Unit handles CPE for their employees.

• On-Line Publication 17 – Education
  Larry presented the accomplishments and next steps for the Subcommittee. The subcommittee is working on a “catch” phrase to attract taxpayers to use and reference the On-line version of Publication 17. Each member is to give input and options will be decided on at the next subcommittee meeting. The subcommittee is also working on writing up their recommendations. Each subcommittee member has committed to writing up a short phrase that describes what Publication 17 is.

• On-Line Publication 17 – Searchability
  David described the process that an average person would use to access Publication 17. The subcommittee has developed a script that they envision will be on each page that draws the person to the answer to a question posed by narrowing down the choices. The subcommittee is working on how key words would drive a search. Patrick will put together the recommendation information for the subcommittee to review and make adjustments to during the next few subcommittee meetings. The plan will be to have the recommendation ready for the entire Ad Hoc committee to approve and make adjustments to at the Face-to-Face Meeting. The next subcommittee meeting will be on April 21st.
  
  Action: Mary will email Patrick the Joint Committee Issue Recommendation Template, Format to make a recommendation to the IRS.

Committee Feedback
Sherry reported on the Joint Committee request for obtaining regular meeting feedback. The committee discussed the merits of giving verbal or written feedback.

Decision: The committee decided to provide written feedback. TAP Analyst will email a meeting survey to all committee members. Members will email responses to Mary by Friday April 8, 2005. Mary will consolidate the responses and share the final responses with the committee chair.

Committee Business/Next Steps
Sherry asked if there were additional items to discuss.
TAP Recruitment: Members would like to understand the process. TAP Manager Nicholas described the recruiting process. Recruitment is held in all states even where vacancies are not expected. Recruitment will also include filling the alternate list. The recommendation was made that there be better communication and notification for those applicants that are not selected. The recommendation was noted and it was discussed that the intent is to notify the selected applicants as well as those not selected by the end of June.

Sherry reminded the committee to submit their feedback by Friday April 8, 2005. Sherry closed the meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2005.