Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

Joint Committee Report
The JC hasn’t done much issue work due to the focus on 2008 Recruitment. New York and Massachusetts have openings for Panel Members.

Local Taxpayer Advocate Outreach
Stephanie Seely, LTA, from Andover Service Center informed the committee that her office tried different innovative outreach activities. This year they were on a Local Cable Access TV Broadcast which is continuously broadcasted in the local area. A few of the Bilingual Case Advocates participated in outreach in Spanish speaking public service agencies.

Sharen Greene, LTA from Albany, New York informed us that her office is working on the Economic Stimulus Package. There is a Media event happening at the Veterans Administration with the Governor and other City Officials to answer questions in reference to the Stimulus Package.

Greene has also been working with Systemic Advocacy on Educating 941 Filers and Payroll Service Providers with problems and providing information to people on using payroll service providers.

Subcommittee Report-Out
Subcommittee 1
Margulies and Subcommittee 1 made two revisions to the proposal to remove the entire social security numbers from checks.

Subcommittee 2
The problems solving day issue is being worked on by Subcommittee 2.

Elevated Issue
Leggett discussed the Problem Solving Day status and would like to reinitiate the program at certain offices to assist taxpayers.

Fallacaro reminded everyone that there are problem solving rooms at all National IRS Tax Forums.

Margulies discussed the elimination of the full Social Security Number on Checks. This proposal will go forward to the Joint Committee.

Hom discussed the proposal on paying estimated income taxes electronically. This proposal will go forward to the joint Committee.

Office Report
Jenkins informed the members that the office will not be staffed on Friday March 21, 2008.

Morizio reminded members to extend the Recruitment opportunity to any organization they may be a member of.

Public Participation
None

Round Robin/Outreach
Hom made a proposal to his Credit Union that they help prepare taxes for 2008.

Whiteside did an outreach on a Christian radio show.

Leggett was interviewed and was in a local newspaper.

Margulies delivered TAP pamphlets to his local IRS Office.

Barry did outreach at IBM and will be doing an outreach with the Long Island LTA, Bonnie Fuentes. Barry suggests receiving some ideas in reference to late file 1099’s.

Jenkins asked the members to send her an email on any organizations to reach out to in reference to recruitment.

Yandow had an article in a Portland newspaper. He has an interview with the Fox TV morning broadcast on March 27th and Local Rotary Club on March 28th. The Local Legislature is working to get out a Statewide Press Release on TAP.

Jason did outreach at the Connecticut Bar Association.

Closing Remarks
Barry, Jenkins, Morizio, Fallacaro and Yandow will meet via teleconference to plan the Area 1 face to face meeting. The meeting will be in Boston, MA May 2 – 3, 2008.