Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Area 2 Committee
Meeting Minutes

Committee’s Teleconference Meeting
May 21, 2008 @ 2:30 PM ET

Designated Federal Official (DFO)
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager, Acting DFO

Members Present
James Brock, Williamsburg, VA
Kimberly Brown, Blakeslee, PA, Vice-Chair
Emilio Cecchi, North Bethesda, MD
Benson Chapman, Wayne, NJ, Chair
Blanche Davis, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Steve Fulkrod, Bel Air, MD
Richard Grzebinski, Raleigh, NC
Edward Johnson, Florence, NJ
Carolyn Hutchinson, Fletcher, NC
Joseph Holley, Barboursville, WV
Louise McAulay, Florence, SC
Robert Patterson, York, PA

Members Absent
Michael Bryant, Oakton, VA
Robert Haines, Lebanon, NJ
Robert McQuiston, Bryn Mawr, PA
Peter Welch, Mooresville, NC

Staff Present
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Inez E. De Jesus, TAP Program Analyst
Anita Fields, Management Assistant/Note Taker
Donna Powers, TAP Junior Analyst

Guest(s) Present
None

Welcome & Roll Call
Chair Ben Chapman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. 
Roll call was taken and quorum was met.  Nancy Ferree formerly introduced Donna Powers as a new analyst to the committee.

Joint Committee (JC) Report
Ben Chapman stated that the annual meeting in December has yet to be decided on where and when it was going to take place.

Ben also wanted to take time to speak on the meeting survey results from the Face-to Face.  He stated that the question regarding some of the outside speakers not being relevant to TAP.  He said that some of the subjects may not have been related to something that the committee are currently working on, but could be in the future. 

Application Progress and Interview Process
Nancy Ferree informed the committee that all the applications were ranked, and the next step is to determine who will be interviewed.  We try to do four interviews during the day.  She thanked everyone for volunteering.  The interviews are scheduled to begin June 9, 2008 and end June 26, 2008.  We provide lists to Bernie, who in-turn sits with Nina Olson to get approval.  Nancy also explained what is done during and after the interviews are conducted by the interview panel.

Approve Meeting Minutes April 22-24, 2008
The April Meeting Minutes were approved as written by consensus.

Screening Committee Review of New Issue(s):

1. Issue 4726, IRS Toll Free Long Wait
   The screening subcommittee recommends that this issue be dropped because there are already a number of issue similar to this one.  The committee agreed to drop the issue by consensus.
2. Issue 4728, Social Security Numbers on Tax Payment Checks
   The screening subcommittee recommends not to work this issue because there was a similar issue that just got elevated to IRS.  The committee agreed to drop the issue by consensus.
3. Issue 4729, IRS Website-Add FAQ For Caregivers of the Elderly
   The screening subcommittee recommend placing this in the parking lot.
4. Issue 4730, Stock Sales
   The screening subcommittee recommend placing this in the parking lot to work after 4729. 
5. Issue 4731, Taxation on Children’s Investment Income
   The screening subcommittee recommends not to work issue.

Subcommittee Report(s) on Active Issues:

1. Issue 3997, Terminate “S” Election
   Ben mentioned that he did not receive a status update from the Chair of the subcommittee, but he believes that it should soon be ready for write-up to the Joint Committee soon.
2. Issue 4056, Small Business Volunteer Tax Services
   Bob Patterson reported that he and his subcommittee has had a meeting and they have come up with some recommendations.  There was another issue like this one that went before the IRS a couple of years ago.  Bob has sent some information out for the rest of the members to look at it.  Donna will fax Bob Patterson the response.
3. Issue 4256, EFTPS Delay in Posting of Tax Payment
   Blanche reported that she spoke to the SAMS analyst responsible for this issue.  She was informed that she had been in touch with the CPA that brought the issue to the committee.  The CPA has not provided the information that she needs; therefore, this issue is going to be closed due to lack of information.  There is going to be a letter sent stating the status and we will work it.
4. Issue 4566, Option(s) on IRS Website
   Blanche Davis reported the issue is ready to be forwarded to Quality Review before being elevated to Joint Committee.  The name was changed during this call to Taxpayer Options on Forms Distribution.
5.   Issue 4628, Estimated Tax Package
   Ben reported on behalf of Bob Mc Quiston because he was not present. The issue is very active. It apparently will be accepted for Immediate Intervention by SAMS. The subcommittee will be working with the SAMS staff.

Outreach Events
Kim reported 28 outreaches for the month of April.  She congratulated everyone on the work done.  Steve and Emilio did an outreach to a class which was different, but good.  That came to use from our alternate panel member from Maryland, Connie Sharpe.  Please from now on send your outreaches to Donna Powers.

Public Input
None

Closing Assessment/Q&A/Meeting Survey
Inez informed the committee that Donna Powers email address is donna.powers@irs.gov and her number is 954-423-7978. The dial-in number is 1800-606-4717 with a new access code of 4424164#.  She said that she is really going to miss everyone and you were a good group to work with.  Every one said thank you and wished Inez good luck in her future endeavors.  Ben asked everyone to please submit meeting survey.

Meeting adjourned at 2:30pm EST.

Next Teleconference Meeting:  June 18, 2008 at 2:30 PM ET.

*Certification: These minutes were approved by the TAP Area 2 committee, by consensus, on 6/18/2008.