Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Area 2 Committee
Meeting Minutes

Teleconference Meeting
July 18, 2007 @ 2:30 PM ET

Designated Federal Official (DFO)
Lois G. Lombardo, Local Taxpayer Advocate, Philadelphia, PA

Members Present
Kimberly Brown, Blakeslee, PA, Vice-Chair
Michael Bryant, Oakton, VA
Ben Chapman, Wayne, NJ
Blanche Davis, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Steve Fulkrod, Bel Air, MD
Robert Haines, Lebanon, NJ
Paul McElroy, Bethania, NC
Lynwood Sinnamon, Arlington, VA, Chair

Members Absent
Bill Bly, Wayne, PA
Paul Brubaker, York, PA
Emilio Cecchi, North Bethesda, MD
Carolyn Hutchinson, Fletcher, NC
Sonny Kasturi, West Orange, NJ
Elizabeth Warnecki, Ladson, SC
Bill Yaeger, Alexandria, VA

Staff Present
Nancy L. Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Inez E. De Jesus, TAP Program Analyst, & Note Taker

Guest(s) Present
None

Welcome and Roll Call
Chair Lyn Sinnamon opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present. 

Roll call was taken and there was a brief discussion on quorum based on committee’s by-laws which states “greater than 50%”- currently there are 15 members on this committee; committee agreed by consensus that quorum is “8”.

Joint Committee Report
Chair Sinnamon briefly shared the following information from the face-to-face meeting in Denver:

• Regarding the “split refund”, the TAP Chair expressed a concern that TAP may not fully understand our clients-citizens and the IRS.  The split refund was not an issue at the Joint Committee, the lack of interest within the taxpaying public seemed to represent something that the IRS thought was great and didn’t get much of a response from the public.  TAP is now being asked to find out what the public thinks.
• Level of commitment of panel members.
• New elevated issues process.
• Attendance and Quorum issue
• Emeritus members to fill vacancies
• 2006 TAP Annual Report is late, but will be ready before the August 16, 2007 meeting with the Acting Commissioner.
• 2007 TAP Annual Report will be prepared soon to be ready by end of this year. There will be a new format used with the monthly reports.
• National Office Report: Bernie has set up a meeting on August 16, 2007, with the IRS Acting Commissioner.
• Interviews are going well.
• Vice-chairs may be invited to attend the Joint Committee’s October 2007 face-to-face, all depends on the budget.
• Member effectiveness discussion.
• Outreach discussion.
• Leadership roles – think about it now if you are interested in being a Chair or Vice-chair of a committee next year.

Review/Confirm Meeting Minutes- June 20, 2007
These minutes were approved by consensus.

New Issues:
Screening Committee Chair, Steve Fulkrod, addressed the following new issues that were reviewed by his team on July 9, 2007:

• Issue 4256, EFTPS Delay in Posting of Tax Paymentsrecommendation is to place in “Parking Lot” status behind the other Parking Lot issues.  Committee agreed by consensus to accept.

• Issue 4258, Third Party Designee-Extend Authorization More Than One Year recommendation is to refer this issue to Area 3 which is already working this issue.  Committee agreed by consensus to refer.

• Issue 4260, Retirement Plans-Educate the Public recommendation is to drop; a good idea but not an issue for TAP.  Committee agreed by consensus to drop this issue.

*The next screening committee call is scheduled for August 6, 2007, at 3PM ET

Report on TAC Visits by Area 2 Committee Members Since the Last Meeting
Kim Brown had no visits; Blanche Davis did visit one Taxpayer Assistance Center in Delaware.

Blanche Davis took this opportunity to remind everyone to fill out the Returning Members and New Member surveys as soon as possible, if they have not already done so.

Chair Lyn Sinnamon mentioned that certificates are going to be mailed out to thank all members who are performing TAC visits.

Consensus to Drop Issue 3743, Revise Form W-9 this form was recently revised, and the IRPAC, Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee, recently made recommendations similar to area 2’s.  Committee agreed by consensus to drop this issue. (It may be re-visited in the future if there is a need)

Status on Revision of Draft Proposal 3944, Class Action Proceeds Instructions this will be moved to next month’s agenda.

Status on Revision of Issue 4011, Form 8863, Education Credits this will be moved to next month’s agenda.

Subcommittee Reports on Active Issues:

• Issue 4061- Form W-4, Make it Easier for Minors Mike Bryant shared that the taxpayer who submitted this issue was ultimately requesting that a new W-4 form be geared specifically for minors.  Motion was made to drop this issue and the committee agreed by consensus to drop it.

• Issue 4182- Form 1099-R Enhancements for Seniors Paul Brubaker sent out an email earlier today sharing that he will be scheduling a sub-committee call for early August 2007.  Discussion will be moved to next month’s agenda.

• Since some active issues were closed during this call, Issue 3997, Terminate “S” Election will now be taken out of parking lot status and made active.  It was confirmed that the subcommittee is composed of: Bob Haines, Kim Brown, Bill Yaeger, and Ben Chapman.  Issue 4155, Schedule D Carryover Losses will remain in parking lot status.

TAP 206-017, Self-Employed & Free Tax Preparation- Review for Proper Closing Status The TAP Staff will be following up with Paul Brubaker to see what the proper closing status should be.  Action item for: Nancy and Inez

Outreach Events & Review of Mid-Year Commitments
Kim Brown shared that there were 13 outreach activities during the past month.  This was a big drop from previous months.  Kim reminded everyone that anytime you speak to someone regarding TAP that is an outreach event.  Please let Inez know when you do these activities since it is very important that they be documented.

Kim requested that Nancy share with all the difference between an area and issue outreach.  It was decided a while ago that all outreaches should be captured by the area committee.

Chair Sinnamon shared that he and Bill Yaeger had been contacted by a Washington Post reporter but neither one was able to converse with the reporter.

Public Input
None

Closing Assessment-Q&A

• Ben Chapman made comments on lack of participation by some members.  Also, he suggested that members who don’t contribute shouldn’t go to the annual meeting.
• Mike Bryant suggested that a letter from the TAP Director be re-sent by email to all panel members to re-commit to the next year.  This letter should require a “Yes/No” response.

Meeting Survey available on TAP Space.

Chair Lyn Sinnamon adjourned the meeting.

Action item(s):

• TAP Staff (Nancy/Inez) to follow-up with Paul Brubaker on proper closing status for Elevated Issue TAP 206-017.
• Chair Lyn Sinnamon will suggest via his Chair’s Report to the Joint Committee that a renewal of commitment letter be sent out again.

Next Teleconference Meeting:  August 15, 2007 at 2:30 PM ET