Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Area 2 Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee’s Teleconference Meeting
May 16, 2007 @ 2:30 PM ET

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

Members Present
Bill Bly, Wayne, PA
Paul Brubaker, York, PA,
Michael Bryant, Oakton, VA
Emilio Cecchi, N. Bethesda, MD
Ben Chapman, Wayne, NJ
Steven Fulkrod, Bel Air, MD
Robert Haines, Lebanon, NJ
Paul McElroy, Pfafftown, NC
Lyn Sinnamon, Arlington, VA, Chair
Elizabeth Warnecki, Ladson, SC

Members Absent
Kimberly Brown, Blakeslee, PA, Vice-Chair
Blanche Davis, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Sonny Kasturi, West Orange, NJ
Carolyn Hutchinson, Fletcher, NC
William Yaeger, Alexandra, VA

Staff Present
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Inez E. De Jesus, TAP Program Analyst
Isai Pallango, TAP Staff & Note taker

Guest Present
Janet Hennen, WV Program Analyst

Welcome and Roll Call
Chair Lyn Sinnamon opened meeting by welcoming everyone and asked TAP staff Isai Pallango to take roll.

Quorum was met.

Joint Committee Report  
Chair Lyn Sinnamon announced Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Mr. Mark Everson resigned and temporarily replaced by Mr. Kevin Brown. Chair stated joint committee presented Gold Star Proposal, but was not well received. Sinnamon requested panel members to reply if any questions or comments arise.

It was stated Issue 4011- Form 8863 Education Credit has been elevated with panel members Warnecki, Brubaker, McElroy, and Hutchinson forming subcommittee.

Review / Confirm Meeting Minutes: April 25-27, 2007
These minutes were approved by consensus by all panel members.

Approval of issue(s) To Be Elevated To The Joint Committee:

Issue 4046-Use Last Four Digits of SSN on IRS notice
Panel member Steve Fulkrod currently working this issue and recommend dropping issue since it will be covered by the Notices Issue committee. All panel members agreed by consensus to drop issue.          

TAP 206-014 Issue 3736 EFTPS Registration Process-Follow up Report
Bill Bly spoke to IRS Subject Matter Experts. Panel member Bly recommended issue be dropped / closed with partially accepted status. All panel members agreed by consensus. 

New Issue(s) & Status Review of Parking Lot Issues in Priority Order

Issue 4182- Form 1099-R Enhancements for Seniors
Panel member Steve Fulkrod reported that the Steering Committee prioritized this issue as number one status. Panel members Paul Brubaker, Bob Haines, Emilio Cecchi and Bill Bly will form this subcommittee. All panel members agreed with this assessment.

Issue 3997- Terminate “S” Elections
Panel member Steve Fulkrod reported that the Steering Committee prioritized this issue as number two status. All panel members agreed with this assessment.

Issue 4155- Schedule D, Carryover Losses
Panel member Steve Fulkrod reported that the Steering Committee prioritized this issue as number three status. All panel members agreed with this assessment.

Issue 3948- Form 944, Change Threshold
Panel member Steve Fulkrod reported that the Steering Committee prioritized this issue as number four status. All panel members agreed with this assessment.

Issue 3946- Filing of Charitable Reminder Trusts
Panel member Steve Fulkrod reported that the Steering Committee prioritized this issue as number five status, but recommended issue be dropped with monitoring mode. All panel members agreed by consensus to drop issue with monitoring mode.

It was also noted that panel member Robert Haines will monitor issue.

Report on TAC Visits by Area 2 Committee Members
Panel members Blanche Davis and Kim Brown were not present for input on subject. Panel members Warnecki, Cecchi, and Brubaker shared their TAC outreach efforts. Analyst De Jesus will gather research information and forward to all panel members.

Status on Elevated Issue 3743- Revise Form W-9 & Instructions
Chair Sinnamon stated proposal has been elevated to Joint Committee and returned. TAP manager Ferree will assist with the editing of the proposal and will provide feedback in the future.

Subcommittee Reports on Active Issues:

Issue 4061-Form W-4 Make it Easier for Minors
Panel members Elizabeth Warnecki and Michael Bryant are current working this issue. It was recommended issue should not be directed to quality control department. All panel members agreed by consensus on this recommendation.  

TAP 206-028 1099 Free Electronic Filing
TAP manager Nancy Ferree recommend issue be elevated to Mr. Rick Ware as recommended by Ms. Sue Sottile for action by IRS. This recommendation was originally elevated to Sue Sottile. All panel members agreed by consensus on this recommendation.

TAP 206-031 Household Employees
Analyst De Jesus stated issue currently on TAPSpace and requested all panel members to review and provide feedback. Panel members Cecchi and Kasturi will review and recommend closing status. All panel members agreed by consensus on this recommendation.

It was also stated Program Analyst Barbara Toy will be anticipating feedback / input.

Draft Proposal 3944- Class Action Proceeds Instructions: Update
Nancy Ferree had nothing to report due lack of time. It was noted that Ferree and TAP Staff currently ranking applications of possible new panel members. Kasturi and Ferree will re-write proposal.

Outreach Events & Commitment Reports
Analyst De Jesus shared 20 Outreach events were reported for the month of April. Panel member Steve Fulkrod shared his outreach event with Maryland Congressional representatives for the month of May.  

Public Input
No public input

Closing Assessments- Q & A Meeting Survey
It was stated that panel member Judy Lester of North Carolina resigned. Panel member Ben Chapman also noted the resignation of three panel members during the year 2007. Chapman inquired the possibilities of recalling former member Beadsie Woo. Ferree and De Jesus will research and provide information in the near future.

Chair Sinnamon shared IRS Advisory Council currently looking for volunteers / tax professionals. Sinnamon asked all panel members to complete meeting survey and submit to De Jesus.

Chair adjourned the meeting

Next Teleconference Meeting June 20, 2007 @ 2:30 PM

*Certification of Meeting Minutes:  These minutes were approved by the TAP