Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
Area 2 Committee
Teleconference Minutes
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Designated Federal Official
Lois Lombardo

Attendance
James Brock
Michael Bryant
Emilio Cecchi
Ben Chapman, Chair
Blanche Davis
Steve Fulkrod
Richard Grzebinski
Bob Haines
Joe Holley
Carolyn Hutchinson
Louise McAulay
Bob McQuiston
Bob Patterson

Absent
Kimberly Brown
Ed Johnson

Guest(s) Present
Connie Sharpe, Annapolis, MD
Ray Boyle, Wilmington, DE

Staff
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Donna Powers, TAP Program Analyst
Anita Fields, TAP Program Secretary

Welcome and Roll Call
Ben opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Anita completed roll call and a quorum was met.

Joint Committee Report
Ben Chapman reported that the National Office and the TAP Chair report are available on TAP Space.  Bernie Coston is on a detail and the Acting TAP Director is Shawn Collins through November 30, 2008.
We presented our Annual Report to Commissioner Schulman.  During that meeting the Commissioner asked what can TAP do to assist in Identity Theft?  There is talk about adding a new Issue Committee for Identity Theft.  There is a report on the meeting with the Commissioner on TAP Space if you want to read it.

TAP Application Progress
Nancy Ferree reported that all interviews are complete and tax checks and fingerprint checks are almost complete.  We are approx. two months ahead of schedule.  We hope to have the announcements made well in advance of our Annual Meeting.  Nancy also updated the committee on the Analyst position here in Plantation.  It is now in the ranking process, she is looking at 30-45 days before we have someone on board.

Approve Meeting Minutes July 16, 2008
The full committee reviewed the completed minutes from July 16, 2008 and approved by consensus.

Screening Committee’s Review of New Issue(s) – Steve Fulkrod:

• Issue 4873– Late Transmission of Monthly Deposits

Ms. Pinkerman reports that she makes tax deposits for FWT and FICA monthly to the bank on the due date (15th of the month) but frequently, the deposits are not transmitted to the Federal Government on a timely basis by the bank and she is charged a late penalty for not making her deposits on time.  The subcommittee recommended not working the issue, because it appears not to be a systemic issue.

• Issue 4897 – Spousal Sharing of Information

The IRS will not talk with the spouse of a Schedule C filing taxpayer, if the Schedule C is submitted only in the name of the taxpayer, even where there is joint and several liabilities for the taxes filed on the joint return.  The subcommittee is waiting on information from the staff.  They are checking on the process.

• Issue 4899– Speedier Response on the Phone & Correspondence

Taxpayer called to express her view that the IRS needed to provide a speedier response on the phone and in correspondences.  Taxpayer was contacted in May regarding her account.  According to taxpayer, she paid up her account and even asked the IRS employee on the phone whether she was.  Employee said "she was all squared away, there was nothing to worry about".  Today, taxpayer received two separate letters from the IRS regarding taxpayer owing more money.  Taxpayer called and was on hold for 20 minutes.  She called the number which was on the letter and they said it was not them and she needed to call another number.  Taxpayer said she was told the letters came from their installment payment plan area.  She called them and was told she was not in their system.  The subcommittee recommends not working because it is not systemic or have been worked before.

• Issue 4904 – Restructure EFTPS System

Please restructure EFTPS to make it easier to use. I cannot get my clients enrolled because it is just too cumbersome. If all you are doing is making a payment it should be as simple as entering a routing number and account number with an EIN. It is needlessly complex and bulky.  The subcommittee recommends combining this issue with any other issues regarding the EFTPS system.   

• Issue 4917 – Incorrect Phone Number

Individual looking for information on her economic stimulus check looked in directory for Ocean City, MD for the IRS telephone number.  The number listed for the IRS is 1-800-368-9694.  When she called the number, a pornographic recording comes on.  She checked the number and redialed thinking she had made a mistake and the same thing happened.  This has been entered into SAMS.  At the time of the screening committee call it had a pending status.  Donna checked today and it is now in review, they forwarded it to communications.

• Issue 4807– Request for Installment Agreements

Persons who have submitted requests for installment payments still get quarterly receipts and a letter requesting payment before an answer is received from the IRS approving or disapproving the request for installment payments.  They are confused and do not know if they should be complying with the letter or wait for the IRS determination.
The subcommittee has recommended holding until we here back from staff.

• Issue 4882 – Local Taxpayer Advocate Issues

Working with the LTA in WV has always been a positive and rewarding experience.  The problem I experience is when the issue must be forwarded from LTA to an LTA in another district.  This is when problems arise.  It seems as if many times the issue just gets dropped.  I don't know if the LTA's in other areas are too busy or just aren't concerned with issues that arise in districts outside of their own.  I do know that I have problems resolving issues that go outside of my own LTA's area of responsibility.

The subcommittee is still holding this issue.  We are still waiting for information from Lois and more information from Joe Holley. 

• Issue 4894 – IRS Recognition of EIN Corporation Name

New Jersey requires all corporations, including not-for-profits to have "Inc" or a similar designation in corporate name; however, the IRS on-line EIN application does not permit the name of a not-for-profit to contain “Inc." the problem is that the IRS's EIN system will not allow you to get an EIN for exact name of the non-profit.  We drop the "inc" from the corporate name and get the EIN. But then the EIN does not exactly match the name.

The subcommittee has agreed to work this issue; however they did not assign a priority number but has placed it in the parking lot.
DECISION: The full committee agreed with all recommendations submitted by the screening committee.

Subcommittee Report(s) on Active Issues:

• Issue 3997 – Terminate “S” Election

Bob H. reported that they broke it into two issues because the IRS has come out with a box which took care of part of the issue.  Bob H. will write up the issue to get it ready for the Joint Committee (JC).

• Issue 4056 – Small Business Volunteer Tax Services

Bob P. reported that they are in the process of writing up the issue to get it ready for the JC.

• Issue 4628 – Estimated Tax Package

Bob M. indicated that this is an issue that SAMS have and the committee is monitoring it.  SAMS reported that the IRS is continuing to review the issue.  The SAMS contact says that it appears to be a budgeting matter.  Bob M. is going to continue to monitor.

• Issue 4729 – IRS Website – Add FAQ for Caregivers of the Elderly

Jim reported that the subcommittee has begun working on draft questions.   They are going to provide references to certain parts.  The subcommittee is broken down and everyone is actively working their part.  He is looking to exchange data in about one month.

• Issue 4256 – EFTPS Delay in Posting of Tax Payments

Blanche reported that the subcommittee had a teleconference and the staff was asked to do some research and we are still waiting.  Donna Powers informed that there is going to be a conference call tomorrow with the W & I analyst.  There is a new issue regarding restructuring EFTPS and we are looking to combine the two issues.  We will decide tomorrow after the call if we want to combine the two issues.

Ben asked to go back to Issue 4566.  The committee received a response from the IRS and the committee did not feel that it addressed all aspects.  Nancy will go back to the IRS to try and get some of the committee’s questions answered.

Ben would like to bring a couple of issues from the parking lot.  The priority number 1 issue is Stock Options.  Mike Bryant is going to be the champion to head this issue.  The issue is going to be referred to Tax Forms and Pubs.  If they decide not to work the issue, Area 2 will then form a subcommittee to work it.

Outreach Events
Ben explained that 25 outreach activities reported for the month of June. Only 7 people reported.  Ben stated that is pretty low and he encourages the members to pick it up over the next couple of months.  Those who are reporting please use the templates provided.  If you need it to be sent to you again, just let Ben know and he will send it out to you. Nancy mentioned that we do have a little money left in the budget for Outreach.  Let us know if you have an event that you can attend and have been putting out due to budget. 

Closing Assessment
Members were reminded to fax their meeting assessment to Sally. Ben closed the meeting and thanked the members and staff for their participation.

Next Teleconference Meeting – September 17, 2008

*Certification: These minutes were approved by the TAP Area 2 committee, by consensus, on 9/17/2008.