TAP AD HOC Committee Meeting
November 08, 2007

DFO:

• Nancy Ferree, Program Manager(DFO), Plantation, FL

MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Mary Armstrong, Pensacola, FL
• Kimberly Hudson-Brown, Blakeslee, PA
• Chris Freeman, Chaska, MN – Vice Chair
• Margaret Ferguson, Vista, CA
• Gim Hom, Acton, MA
• Mary Ann Lawler, Dearborn, MI
• MJ Lee, Portola Valley, CA – Chair
• Alberto Rodriguez, Miami, FL
• Patrice Marker, Davie, FL
• Kenneth Wright, Ashland, MO

MEMBERS ABSENT:

• George Bates, Great Falls, MT
• William Yaeger, Alexandria, VA    

STAFF:

• Maritza Rabinowitz, MLI Senior Analyst
• Sue Sottile, Director of Tax Forms and Pubs
• Bob Erickson, Sr. Technical Advisor, Tax Forms and Pubs
• Inez DeJesus, Program Analyst, Plantation, FL
• Anita Fields, TAP Secretary-note- taker, Plantation, FL

GUEST:
None Present

Welcome / Review Agenda / Introductions
Chair MJ Lee welcomed everyone and reviewed the agenda.  She thanked everyone for their contributions this year.  The staff has been really great and it has shown in the self-assessments.  She also wanted to thank Sue Sottile and Bob Erickson for their dedication and willingness to work with Ad Hoc.  MJ stated that she believes that Bob and Sue have found the formula for Ad Hoc to help them and hopes that spreads through other IRS and TAP relationships.

Margaret Ferguson and others stated that they feel they had a good Chair. 

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 October.

Approve Ad Hoc Report on Issue 4441 “Pub 553 Printed or On-line for 2007”
Chris Freeman informed the committee that he submitted the report pending formal approval at this meeting.  The Ad Hoc Committee approved it by consensus.  Sue Sottile thanked the committee for the quick turn around. What they are going to do this year is offer paper but in a reduced amount. Because of potential last-minute AMT legislation, taxpayers will be advised to go to the forms for the latest info instead of Pub 553, since 553 is always one of the last pubs issued.  Ad Hoc input helped cement their decision not to go all electronic, and she will send this feedback to the committee in writing, to close the loop.

Mary Ann Lawler shared that Area 4 had elevated Issue 05-020 Current Tax Forms and Instructions Availability, which included a suggestion that all current tax forms and instructions be made available at the TACs by printing at a computer, but Sue Sottile’s response did not address this recommendation.  The IRS stated that they do not have the funds or the space to stock all 850 forms and pubs.  Field assistance has mandatory and optional stocking lists, and each TAC determines what to keep in stock, based on demand. The IRS feels that the taxpayer can request forms via the toll free number of print them on-line.

Form 8850 (Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit)
Chris Freeman promised to have the final product available and ready for review by next meeting.  This will be an agenda item for the December 13th meeting in Washington, DC.

Update from Tax Forms & Pubs Office
Bob Erickson informed that Congress is working on legislation to increase the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exemption amount so that 25 million people don’t owe AMT.  Bob expects this to be passed around late December.  If so, it will take 10 weeks from the date legislation is enacted before the IRS can process returns, and efile will not be available during that time.

Sue Sottile informed that the 1040 is posted on irs.gov and it just went to the printers.   

Finish Discussion-- Process for requests requiring quick turnaround
Nancy Ferree stated that the current process for quick turnaround requests, where a subcommittee drafts a final response, is fine as long as the Issue gets on the next meeting’s agenda and the entire committee has the opportunity to agree on the finished product submitted.  This satisfies the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) guidelines.

Update from MLI Program Owner
Maritza stated that she would like to thank M.J for having a conference call on Monday, because it gave her a better idea of what issues MLI had with the DVD.  Maritza stated that they will attend the meeting in December and give an update on the DVD and also inform the committee on other areas TAP can assist MLI.  She also thought it would be a good idea to get feedback on what areas you think would have an impact as far as working with MLI and providing them with assistance.  

Sue Sottile added that she is now the executive that is responsible for the Language Services Office which is going to be created by merging Multi Lingual Strategy with the Virtual Translation Office.  She thinks that will be a great opportunity for TAP to be briefed on what the plans are and to have an input as the organization is being built, along with feedback on the products and services.  The DVD is going offline for now due to issues with the contractor.

Annual Assessment of Ad Hoc Committee
MJ stated that she sent out the annual assessment and will resend it to those who have not replied.  She would like them returned by 21 November 2007.

Preparation for Ad Hoc F2F at Annual Meeting
Nancy Ferree stated that they are now working on the agenda for the Face to Face Annual meeting.  In the next couple of weeks we are going to ask existing committee members if they are interested in staying on the Ad Hoc Issue Committee next year.  The new members are assigned to an issue committee during their first year on TAP.  Returning members get to choose and switch if they wish to.   MJ will ask Bill Yaeger to arrange an Ad Hoc dinner.

Closing—Meeting Survey reminder
MJ Lee wanted to acknowledge that this is Mary Ann Lawler’s last issue committee meeting and we want to thank her for her service.  She also reminded everyone to please complete their meeting survey and get it in.  Meeting Adjourned. 

Next meeting: F2F at Annual Meeting Thursday December 13, 2007 9:15am-12:30pm.

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 December 13, 2007.