Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
IRS Forms & Publications/Language Services
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 2:00-3:00pm EST

Designated Federal Official (DFO)
Nancy L. Ferree, TAP Program Manager, Plantation, FL

Members Present
George Bates Jr., Great Falls, MT
Kimberly Brown, Blakeslee, PA
Margaret Ferguson, Vista, CA
Howard Guthmann, St. Paul, MN
Joseph Holley, Barboursville, WV
Gim Hom, Acton, MA
Alberto Rodriguez, Miami, FL -- Chair
Richard Waterman, Campbell, CA
Kenneth Wright, Ashland, MO – Vice- Chair

Members Absent
Christopher Freeman, Chaska, MN
Louis Kapugi, Sharpsburg, GA
Jeff Kennedy, Louisville, KY
Reagan Lynch, Midland, TX
Lev Martyniuk, Cincinnati, OH

Staff Present
Anita Fields, Secretary
Inez DeJesus, TAP Analyst
Maria Cheeks, MLI senior Analyst
Marilyn Correa, Acting Chief, MLI Strategy
Patty Wagner, Sr. Technical Advisor, Tax Forms and Pubs
Carole Barnette, Tax Forms and Pubs

Welcome & Roll Call/Quorum
Al Rodriguez welcomed everyone and thanked them all for coming. Quorum was met.

Introduction of Guest
Mark Przybilski, Language Services and Associates

Review of December 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
February minutes were approved as written.

Update from Tax Forms & Pubs Office
Patty Wagner informed the committee that they were attending the Town Hall in Durham, NC.  They will introduce two forms (1040 EZ & Form 4562) for a focus group.

Update from Language Services Office
Marilyn Correa stated that Maritza Rabinowitz was trying to get the free file coordinator to provide MLI with instructions so that the committee can do a quality review of the two free-file company’s page.  Inez stated that she has not received anything written from Maritza; they just had a conversation before she met with them.  Al clarified if this free-file was in Spanish, she confirmed.  Al suggested that since Area 3 was doing the same thing with English, the two committees could partner.  Marilyn agreed.  Nancy Ferree informed that the two analysts be kept in the loop.  Marilyn will get in touch with Maritza and get the status.

Al Rodriguez explained the functions of the committee to our guest Mark Przybilski.  Mark stated that he was on the call to try to learn a little more about what we do; he wants to be considered being used as a vendor.

 Issues Discussion

1. Issue 4517- Pub 560- Retirement Planning Status
   There is no report at this time.  Richard Waterman is still gathering comments from other subcommittee members.
2. Issue 4518- Pub 590- IRA (Status)
   Al Rodriguez will formalize what was done and will get something back within the next two weeks.
3. Issue 4270-Review Form 885
   Al Rodriguez stated that he will have something to report in 2 weeks.
4. Issue 4577-Review Pub 4445D
   Al Rodriguez stated that he will have something to report in 2 weeks

Issue 4578-Review Spanish Forms & Pubs Available from the IRS
Al stated that he passed out a couple of forms to Spanish speaking taxpayers and asked them if they needed to be translated.  He has received some feedback, but is still waiting on a couple more responses.  He will have something to report in 2 weeks.

Face-to-Face Meeting
Al reminded everyone about the Face to Face June 11-13 2008 in Washington, DC.  Inez and Al will start on the agenda in the near future; everyone is welcomed to submit subjects to discuss. 

Closing--Meeting Survey reminder
Al reminded everyone to complete their meeting satisfaction survey.  Nancy Ferree informed everyone that the meeting satisfaction survey is located on TAPSpace.  Margaret Ferguson informed everyone that she is having issues opening Excel and would like the information saved in PDF format or emailed to her. Ken Wright mentioned that she can make it a PDF document and then she could open.  Al Rodriguez volunteered to send her the information. 

Next Meeting is Tuesday, April 1, 2008 @ 2:00pm EST

*Certification:  These minutes were approved by the committee by consensus on April 14, 2008.