Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

Prior meeting survey
Please refer to TAPSpeak for a copy of the survey. Completing the survey helps the leadership and staff conduct the best meeting possible.

MLI Needs Assessment Initiative
Nancy reported on a meeting with the MLI program owners in which a project was presented for the MLI sub-committee to work. Copies were sent to everyone on the committee. (Nordwind, Havey, Abdulhaqq) When the program owners are back in the office (after March10) we will set up a conference call to receive direction from the MLI staff. This report is also on TAPSpeak. The project needs to be completed by the new members.

Program Owners Present
Sue Sottile, Chief, Tax Forms and Publications and Robert (Bob) A. Erickson, Tax Law Specialist, are on today’s call. Bob mentioned the question regarding the W-4 ignoring pension income brought to this committee by Area 1. Internal Revenue Code Section 3405 specifically requires pension income to have taxes withheld. W-4P is the form for this purpose. The recipient can opt out for withheld taxes. The W-4P has many complicated items on it. It is very highly technical. There may be a concern that someone may be under-withheld by not having pension income included on the W-4. A suggestion may be to add the sentence under Purpose: “File the Form W-4P to adjust your withholding from pensions” to the W-4. This will alert those who have pension income. Taxpayers who have regular income and pension income will need to file W-4 and W-4P. Mr. Erickson mentioned that some individuals have suggested the W-4 and W-4P be combined, but there are not enough people and it would greatly complicate both forms to attempt to combine them. These forms are already complicated and combining them would make it worse. Mr. Erickson reiterated that what is lacking is a reference to the W-4P on the Form W-4. Everyone agrees this remedy would be a great improvement. A letter will be prepared, recording the suggestion and remedy, and routed through the joint committee thanking the Area 1 and Ad Hoc committee for working with the Tax Forms and Pubs on this issue.

Sue Sottile mentioned they are working with a separate group on revamping and revising the Innocent Spouse Form 8857. They will be focus testing the form next month, and would like to include the Ad Hoc committee in that focus group testing. Everyone agreed.

They are also very interested in the committees’ feedback on the Filing Season Products for this years’ filing season. Pub 4492 was created to address the hurricane relief act and would like feedback on it, and/or Pub 553, Newly enacted legislation and regulations for 2005 and 2006, (It should be on line by next week). and the Disaster Kit for Individuals and Businesses. A review of these pubs would be appreciated. Feedback can be forwarded to the program owners thru the TAP staff. All feedback will be recorded and copied to the Joint Committee. This will be an item for the next month’s agenda.

Panel members can secure the above forms or if there is a problem getting the forms for review, please contact the TAP staff for assistance. The staff agreed to issue an email for guidance on securing all the above forms.

Update on Face to Face Meeting
Inez presented an update of the face to face meeting to be held in June 2006. Travel days are the 15th and the 17th. There may be a few exceptions for those who cannot get to the location on the same day as the meeting start. Willy Nordwind provided information on a Scottsdale, AZ location which will accommodate the group. Further information will be forthcoming. Jenny Reyes, TAP secretary, will begin travel arrangements about 30 days prior to the event. Anyone with questions regarding travel can contact Jenny at 954-423-7974. Inez will contact the hotel to firm up the rooming list. It was suggested that the committee have a group dinner at least one night. Everyone agreed. Willy will look for a restaurant that will accommodate the entire committee.

Emilio asked about Pub 1 update. No one had additional information, but the TAP staff will check on the status and get back to the committee. Nancy will check with the TAP director to see what the committee needs to do about this publication.

Public Input
No public present

Telephone Etiquette
A reminder was mentioned regarding using cell phones for teleconferences. A suggestion was made to use regular telephones instead of cell phones to eliminate static and background noise.

Closing
The Forms and Pubs and MLI sub-committees have work to do now. If the sub-committees need to meet, they can use their telephone calling cards to set up those teleconferences. Patrice suggested that sub-committees select a leader to head up the sub-committees.

MLI Sub-Committee- Willy Nordwind volunteered to lead this committee.

Tax Forms and Pubs- Emilio Cecchi volunteered to lead this committee.

Meeting satisfaction survey
Please fill out the meeting survey and send back to Inez De Jesus. The survey helps us make the meetings more effective and efficient.

The next meeting is April 13, 2006 2pm eastern time.

Certification: These minutes were approved by the TAP Ad Hoc Committee on April 13, 2006 by consensus.