Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) Area 2 Committee

Committee’s Teleconference Meeting
November 15, 2006 @ 2:30 PM ET

Designated Federal Official (DFO)
Eileen M. DeLeo, Taxpayer Advocate Program Analyst, Philadelphia, PA

Members Present                                                                                                      
Bill Bly, Wayne, PA
Paul Brubaker, York, PA,
Emilio Cecchi, N. Bethesda, MD, Vice Chair
Lee Congdon, Washington, DC
JoAnn Davis, Scott Depot, WV
Blanche Davis, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Robert Haines, Lebanon, NJ
Sonny Kasturi, West Orange, NJ
Paul McElroy, Pfafftown, NC, Chair                                               Martin Romeril, Bethlehem, PA
Elizabeth Warnecki, Ladson, SC

Members Absent
Lyn Sinnamon, Arlington, VA
Lillian (Beadsie) Woo, Durham, NC

Staff Present
Bernie Coston, TAP Director
Frances W. Kleckley, New Area 2 DFO
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Inez E. De Jesus, TAP Program Analyst
Isai Pallango, Intern & Note taker

Guest(s)
Mr. Ben Chapman (Potential Panel Member from New Jersey)

Welcome
Chair Paul McElroy opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and acknowledged guest Mr. Ben Chapman. Program Manager Nancy Ferree shared that Local Taxpayer Advocate from South Carolina, Frances W. Kleckley will be joining the teleconference meeting, and she will be taking the duties of the DFO beginning December 2006.

Eileen Deleo will be the Designated Federal Official during this call.

Roll Call
Quorum of 8 was met.

Joint Committee Report Annual Self-Assessment Reminder
Chair Paul McElroy stated the status of new members has gone to Treasury and is expecting more information soon. Bernie Coston stated that confirmation has not been received, but will be available within the next week. McElroy shared that National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service Mr. Mark Everson will be speaking during the TAP annual meeting. 

There will be four Town Hall Meetings next year.

Chair McElroy stated that workshops will be available for new panel members and that current issue committees will remain the same. JoAnn Davis and Bob Haines indicated they were not aware of their issue assignments. McElroy requested panel members to complete annual self assessment after annual meeting.

Issue 3736, EFTPS Registration Procedure was approved by the Joint Committee on November 1, 2006.

Status of Elevated Issues Since 10/18/2006

• Issue 3740- OIC Appeals Process-Agree to Drop

Program Manager Nancy Ferree stated that the Sub Committee agreed to drop issue because it is not a customer service issue. TAP staff researched and concluded that issue is not appropriate to elevate. Panel members agreed by consensus to drop this issue.

• Issue 3742-Fees for Private Letter Rulings-Returned From JC

Program Manager Nancy Ferree stated that TAP staff is in the process of extensive researching this issue. Ferree and De Jesus met with an IRS attorney and will be sharing information with the Sub Committee.

• Issue 3743-Revise Form W-9

Program Manager Nancy Ferree stated that TAP staff has contacted the citizen. Ferree and De Jesus researched issue further and were unable to find a widespread problem or it being a customer service issue.

Panel member Lee Congdon stated that he contacted citizen via e-mail and will forward information. Analyst Barbara Toy reviewed this issue for the Joint Committee and sent it back for changes. Ferree and De Jesus will complete reviewing this issue and share outcome with panel members during next months meeting.

Planning for 2007

Meeting Schedule Frequency
Chair McElroy requested panel members to consider teleconference meetings every other month. McElroy suggested scheduling meeting every other month, but decide at each meeting if a meeting on the off month was necessary.   

Because of Federal Register Notices, panel member Sonny Kasturi doubts meetings every other month would work. Program Manager Ferree stated the staff would be able to address the filing /canceling of Federal Register Notices. 

It was agreed by consensus to schedule monthly meetings, and then let the Committee cancel an upcoming meeting if not needed.  

Area & TAP Chair & Vice-Chair Candidates
Chair Paul McElroy encouraged panel members to declare their interest for the area or TAP chair or vice-chair positions in advance. Bernie Coston stated that no panel members have declared with the intent of becoming TAP chair or vice-chair. Coston requested panel members who are interested in position to please submit an e-mail with intention directly to him.

Chair Paul McElroy encouraged panel members to run for Area 2 Chair. McElroy stated that current members would benefit from the experience of serving as chair or vice-chair and if members interested to e-mail him and he would nominate them. He said he is willing to serve as Chair next year, but would prefer to have others benefit from the experience.
   
Approve of Meeting Minutes October 18, 2006
These minutes were approved by consensus. 

Confirm Date(s) and Possible Location(s) for Face-to-Face Meeting
Chair Paul McElroy mentioned that at the last teleconference the Committee discussed having the Area 2 Face to Face Meeting in late February or early March of 2007. Lynn Sinnamon shared via e-mail that date would be difficult on tax professionals.

Sonny Kasturi stated that new panel members would benefit if face-to-face meeting held in late April or May 2007. Panel member Bill Bly requested a decision be made during annual meeting to allow new members to participate in decision process.

Program Analyst De Jesus is currently working on the cost-estimate for the face-to-face meeting and so far Raleigh, North Carolina is lowest cost. McElroy had suggested that Myrtle Beach, SC might be very low cost if held in February or early March, but Mr. Bernie Coston stated that IRS would not consider it as a viable location.

Analyst De Jesus requested panel members to reply via e-mail no later than next week of possible meeting date. This issue will be revisited during December annual meeting in Washington DC. Committee needs to agree whether to meet during the work week or on a Friday and half a day Saturday. Some members suggested Charlotte or Richmond. Analyst will provide committee with a report during next meeting.

Mentoring Process
Chair Paul McElroy shared that members should become more involved with the mentoring process and stated there would be seven new members. Panel members who would mentor will be as follow:

• Bill Bly (PA)
• Paul Brubaker (PA)
• Emilio Cecchi (MD)
• Blanche Davis (DE)
• Bob Haines (NJ)
• Paul McElroy (NC)
• Lyn Sinnamon (VA)  
• Elizabeth Warnecki (SC) would volunteer to be an alternate.

Mentors were reminded to contact their assigned new member before the annual meeting.

New Issues 
Screening committee chair Emilio Cecchi introduced the following new issues and the sub-committees recommendations:

• Issue 4011- Form 8863 Education Credits

Recommendation is to place in parking lot status. Panel members agreed by consensus to place issue in parking lot, and place in priority order.

• Issue 4016- Mileage Allowance for Volunteers Using Their Own Autos-

Recommendation is to drop issue. Panel members agreed by consensus to drop this issue.

Sub-Committee Reports

• Issue 3915-Transmission of Supporting Details for E-filed Returns

Sonny Kasturi addressed this issue and stated that a referral should be forwarded to the Internal Revenue Service. This issue will be revisited during next teleconference meeting. Panel members agreed by consensus.

• Issue 3944-Tax Treatment of Securities Litigation

Sonny Kasturi addressed this issue and stated that a referral has been created and sent to all area committee members and he is waiting for comments. Panel member Martin Romeril shared that draft of this issue was well documented and a good example for new members.

• Issue 3951-Pubs 560 & 590 Instructions-Simple IRA rules

Lynwood Sinnamon shared via e-mail requesting panel members to review publication of Simple IRA rule responsibilities. Chair McElroy requested comments, but there were no responses. Bill Bly indicated the sub committee is waiting for Lyn Sinnamon to schedule conference call.  

Outreach Events Reports
Chair Paul McElroy shared that panel members Blanche Davis and Paul Brubaker had three major contacts each. Blanche Davis posted outreach event on a Congressional Website and received positive responses. McElroy request panel members visit Congressional websites.

Brainstorm Agenda Ideas for December Face-to-Face
Chair Paul McElroy shared that committee will elect chair and vice-chair. McElroy requested comments from panel members. Panel member Paul Brubaker stated that it would be beneficial for new members get involved in sub committees.

Program Analyst De Jesus requested panel members to review annual meeting agenda and provide input on suggested topics. The meeting is approximately three hours and forty minutes. McElroy will contact analyst De Jesus concerning today’s teleconference meeting with comments and re-draft agenda.

Public Input
Mr. Ben Chapman from New Jersey stated his concern of current legislation regarding IRS tax forms and requested TAP panel members to consider visiting issue. Chair McElroy thanked Mr. Chapman for his participation and input.

Closing Assessment / Q&A
Bernie Coston shared that some members will be retiring. Coston gave his appreciation to Martin Romeril and Beadsie Woo for their two year participation with TAP. Coston also thanked TAP staff for their support and dedication given to panel members. Coston stated that area 2 has done a phenomenal job. Area 2 hosted the first town hall meeting in Philadelphia and has done a fantastic job despite being a large committee. 

Program Manager Nancy Ferree acknowledged her appreciation to former DFO Terry Mapp.

Eileen DeLeo shared a message from Terry Mapp to the committee that it has been a pleasure for her to work with area 2 during the last two years and to continue the exceptional work.

Program Analyst Inez De Jesus mentioned that the meeting survey is currently on TAPspeak and requested panel members to complete the survey.

Chair Paul McElroy confirmed next meeting will be the annual meeting held in Washington DC from December 11-14, 2006.

Chair McElroy adjourned the meeting.

TAP Annual Meeting December 11-14, 2006 in Washington DC.
Area 2 Committee will be meeting on Tuesday December 12, 2006 from 8am -12 noon.