Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Area 2 Committee
Meeting Minutes

Committee’s Teleconference Meeting
February 21, 2007 @ 2:30 PM ET

Designated Federal Official (DFO)
Frances W. Kleckley, Local Taxpayer Advocate, Columbia, SC

Members Present
Bill Bly, Wayne, PA
Michael Bryant, Oakton, VA
Kimberly Brown, Blakeslee, PA, Vice-Chair
Ben Chapman, Wayne, NJ
Emilio Cecchi, N. Bethesda, MD
Lee Congdon, Washington, DC
Blanche Davis, Rehoboth Beach, DE
JoAnn Davis, Scott Depot, WV
Steven Fulkrod, Bel Air, MD
Robert Haines, Lebanon, NJ
Carolyn Hutchinson, Fletcher, NC
Sonny Kasturi, West Orange, NJ
Judy Lester, Chapel Hill
Paul McElroy, Pfafftown, NC
Lyn Sinnamon, Arlington, VA, Chair
Elizabeth Warnecki, Ladson, SC
William Yaeger, Alexandra, VA

Members Absent
Paul Brubaker, York, PA

Staff Present
Inez E. De Jesus, TAP Program Analyst & Acting TAP Manager
Isai Pallango,       TAP Intern
Anita Fields,         TAP Staff Secretary & Note Taker

Guest Present
David Yeskoo, Stake Holder Liaison

Welcome and Roll Call
Chair Lyn Sinnamon opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and asked TAP staff Isai Pallango to take roll. TAP manager Nancy Ferree will not be joining this meeting since she is currently in New Orleans attending area 3 meeting. It was noted that IRS Program Owner David Yeskoo will be joining this teleconference meeting and TAP Acting Manager introduced new secretary Mrs. Anita Fields.

Quorum of (10) was met.

Joint Committee Report
Chair Lyn Sinnamon stated that only Area 1 had elevated issues. He also informed us that the Annual Business meeting is going to be held tentatively the week of December 10, 2007.  Lyn Sinnamon also shared information on the town meeting that is being held in Brooklyn New York on or about the 6th of March.  It will be a televised meeting.

Chair Sinnamon introduced our guest David Yeskoo.  He had discussions on ways that Mr. Yeskoo can partner with TAP and work some issues that the taxpayers may have.

Partnering Opportunities for TAP & Communication / Liaison
Guest David Yeskoo gave an overview on what the Stakeholder Liaison does and how we (TAP) can partner with them. He also extended an invitation to attend a meeting in Baltimore where the Deputy Commissioner of SBSE Brady Bennett will be speaking. The meeting will be held on March 7, 2007.  David Yeskoo promised to send additional information on the meeting place and time

Review / Confirm Meeting Minutes: December 12, 2006: January 17, 2007
These minutes were approved by consensus.

New Issues (s)
Issue 4061, Form W-4, Make Easier to Understand for Minors
Steve Fulkrod and appointed subcommittee recommended issue to become active after reviewing the form.  After discussing current active and parking lot issues it was decided to place Issue 4061 in the parking lot with the intent of making it active.

Revisit Issue 3228- E-File
Steve Fulkrod stated that no one from the existing sub-committee has contacted him on Issue 3228 (Free e-file for taxpayer who make under 52,000), so he and Emilio deferred it to the existing subcommittee.

Chair Sinnamon stated that Paul Brubaker is working that issue and just couldn’t be on the call.

Report on TAC Visits by Area 2 Committee Members since the Last Teleconference Meeting
Blanche Davis visited TAC Center in Delaware.  Her goal was to receive 20 customer surveys; she was only able to get 16.  She has another visit planned for March 7, 2007.  Blanche’s biggest issue is there is no receptionist to direct customers and keep them from unnecessary waiting.

Kim Brown visited the TAC office in Pennsylvania February 13th.  She did meet her goal of 20 customer surveys.  She stated that the staff was helpful and nice.  Forms were outside and alphabetized which reduced lines.  Kim also stated that she will be going to Scranton next month.

Confirm Approval of Issue 3743-Revise Form W-9
Inez De Jesus reported that Nancy Ferree has re-written the proposal and shared with the subcommittee.   Chair Sinnamon requested that the proposal be added to the Joint Committee’s agenda for March 7th.  He also invited Bob Haines to attend the teleconference in order to address any questions.  After discussing the new proposal it was concluded that Issue 3743 will go to the Joint Committee.

Subcommittee Reports on Active Issues:
Issue 3946- Filing of Charitable Remainder Trusts
Ben Chapman shared that this issue has been reviewed by the IRS and Issue Management Resolution System (IMRS) concluded that they are not going to revise the form.  Panel discussed the issue with whether to continue to continue to address it or not.  It was concluded that Inez will distribute the IMRS report with the panel members.

Issue 3997- Terminate S Election
Panel member Ben Chapmen a member of the subcommittee stated after the subcommittee reviewed the issue it was determined that they did not want to create a new form.  They decided to try to come up with ways of just adding a new block.

Issue 4011- Form 8863 Education Credits
Panel member Elizabeth Warnecki, sent out a draft proposal to the subcommittee to change form.  Elizabeth is still waiting on feedback from subcommittee.  Elizabeth wanted to know how many of Form 8863 is filed each year.

Confirm Change of Meeting Dates for Face-to-Face Meeting to Wednesday-Friday April 25-27, 2007
Chair Lyn Sinnamon just confirmed the dates of the Face-to-Face in April in Raleigh, NC.

Outreach Events and Commitment Reports
Panel Member Kimberly Brown reported that there were 30 Outreaches for the Month of January.  She also stated that she needs for panel members to send her their commitments.

Public Input
No public input.

Closing Assessments- Q & A Meeting Survey
There were no closing assessments

Chair adjourned the meeting.

Next Teleconference Meeting: March 21, 2007 at 2:30 PM ET

*Certification of Meeting Minutes:  These minutes were approved by the TAP Area 2 Committee by consensus on March 21, 2007.