TAP AD HOC Committee Meeting
October 11, 2007

DFO:

• Inez De Jesus, Program Analyst (Acting DFO), Plantation, FL

MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Mary Armstrong, Pensacola, FL
• George Bates, Great Falls, MT
• Kimberly Hudson-Brown, Blakeslee, PA
• Chris Freeman, Chaska, MN – Acting Chair
• Margaret Ferguson, Vista, CA
• Gim Hom, Acton, MA
• Alberto Rodriguez, Miami, FL
• William Yaeger, Alexandria, VA

MEMBERS ABSENT:

• Mary Ann Lawler, Dearborn, MI
• MJ Lee, Portola Valley, CA – Chair
• Patrice Marker, Davie, FL
• Kenneth Wright, Ashland, MO

STAFF:

• Marilyn Correa, Acting Chief, MLI Strategy Office
• Maritza Rabinowitz, MLI Senior Analyst
• Sue Sottile, Director of Tax Forms and Pubs
• Anita Fields, TAP Secretary-note- taker, Plantation, FL

GUEST:
None Present

Welcome / Review Agenda / Introductions
Acting Chair Chris Freeman welcomed everyone and reviewed the agenda.

Roll Call
Anita Fields performed a roll call of attendees. Quorum of 7 was met.

Approval of Previous Meeting’s Minutes
The committee approved by consensus the minutes for September.

Update from MLI Program Owner
Sue Sottile introduced the new Acting MLI Program Owner Marilyn Correa and new Acting MLI Senior Analyst Maritza Rabinowitz.  Sue Sottile informed the committee that she will be giving 100% commitment.  She also stated that she wants the continuing participation of the Ad Hoc Committee and that she is always available to assist or guide the committee. 

Maritza Rabinowitz informed the committee that she is trying to get a status from the contractors.  She will inform the committee once she receives an answer back from the contractors.  She is looking forward to receiving feedback from the subcommittee before the DVD goes into production. She also let the committee know that since she is in the Florida area she is looking forward to working and meeting with members of the staff and committee members that are also located in the area.

Al Rodriguez stated the committee made some suggestions referencing the DVD in DC in June, and was informed that once the DVD went to the contractors there were no changes allowed.  He is glad to hear that Maritza mention that they are looking for changes or improvements that would improve the DVD.

Marilyn came back with what she heard Maritza say was that the input that you all gave was used in this production.  We are assuming that the recommendations that you all made is being used with this DVD.  She also stated the first person that is going to receive this DVD is the TAP.  Marilyn also stated that she acknowledges TAP’s work from the past, and she and Maritza are looking forward to be working with TAP.

Next Steps for MLI Subcommittee
Bill Yaeger expressed his concern about the loss of credibility with potential clients that were set up to test the DVD since there had been changes to the dates that the DVD would be made available for testing.  Yaeger asked the MLI Program Owners, "What would you like this committee to do at this time?"  Maritza responded that she understood that once the DVD was available she would share it with the Ad Hoc MLI subcommittee before it is distributed to the public.  Bill Yaeger shared some background information on how it was supposed to work.  Maritza promised that she is committed to keeping this committee informed and the committee expressed that there be better communication than there has been in the past.  Due to time constraints, a subcommittee teleconference may be scheduled to continue the dialogue that was going on if there is a need to do so.  Sue Sottile also gave her commitment to keeping this committee informed of realistic timeframes.

Discuss Pub 553, Highlights of 200X: Printed or Online for 2007—New Issue
Sue Sottile is interested in whether or not the product is being used?  Based on legislation in December, Pub 553 is historically late for publishing and March is too late for having this pub available for the public.  Would having this publication made as a living document and available on line be beneficial to our taxpayers?  Sue Sottile believes that March is too late to post the document.  She would like to post the changes to the website as the law changes.

William Yaeger agrees with Sue Sottile except that some people do not have access to the internet.

Sue Sottile would like to have an answer back by October 19, 2007.

A subcommittee was formed to work on Pub 553 which consists of Mary Armstrong, Kimberly Brown, William Yaeger and Chris Freeman. They will schedule a teleconference in order to address this new issue and respond back timely to Sue Sottile.

Finish Discussion-- Process for requests requiring quick turnaround
This will be tabled for next month’s call, awaiting Designated Federal Official and Chair’s return from the Joint Committee’s face to face meeting.

Update on TAP elections
The goal this year is to have the TAP elections for the Chair and Vice Chair to be done prior to the annual meeting.  If anyone is interested please send your self-nomination to Bob Meyers and also copy your Area Chair.

Who’s returning to Ad Hoc
Bill Yaeger, Al Rodriguez, Kim Brown and George Bates

What do we need to do for the last Ad Hoc teleconf for 2007?
Since there were no responses, Inez requested that they let Chair MJ Lee know of any suggested agenda items for the November 8th call.

Closing—Meeting Survey reminder
Chris Freeman reminded everyone to please complete their meeting survey and get it in.  Meeting Adjourned.

Next meeting: November 8, 2007 2:00 ET Teleconference

These minutes are scheduled to be approved at our next meeting

Certification:  These minutes were approved by the TAP Ad Hoc Committee by consensus on November 8, 2007.