Committee’s Teleconference Meeting
February 20, 2008 @ 2:30 PM ET

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

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

Members Absent
Terrance Adlhock, Washington, DC

Staff Present
Inez E. De Jesus, TAP Program Analyst
Anita Fields, Management Assistant

Guest(s) Present
Connie Sharpe, Annapolis, MD
Joel Lawson, Villanova, PA

Welcome & Roll Call
Chair Ben Chapman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone.
Roll call was taken and quorum was met.

Joint Committee (JC) Report
Ben Chapman encouraged everyone to participate in the recruitment process.  He also stated that if you are a 1st or 2nd year member, if you don’t think you can or want to continue on TAP, please let us know so that we can recruit additional people for the upcoming year.  He emphasized that we don’t want to lose anyone, but we understand.  

Administrative Matters
Ben Chapman emphasized telephone etiquette and asked everyone to please try to adhere during conference calls.  He also reminded everyone to please place their picture and bios on TAPSpace.  If you change your email address, please inform IRS Staff so that it gets updated.  All issues that deals with forms and publications should be directed to the Tax Forms and Pubs Committee.  Ben Chapman explained what is meant by immediate intervention; issue 4549 Incorrect SSA-1099’S mailed was handled by an immediate intervention.  Area 2 has an upcoming Town Hall Meeting in Durham, NC on March 13, 2008.  There is a Style Guide available on TAP Space if anyone is interested.   The TAP Annual Business Meeting will be the 1st week of December, 2008.

Approve Meeting Minutes Dec. 2007
The December Meeting Minutes were approved as written by consensus.

Screening Committee Review of New Issue(s):

• Issue 4515, Training Issue for VITA/TCE for K-1’s

The screening committee recommends that the issue be worked.  The committee agrees by consensus.  Subcommittee formed with Joseph Holley, Emilio Cecchi, Peter Welch and Carol Hutchinson.  Carol has volunteered to chair.

• Issue 3196, Refunds During Innocent Spouse Claims

The screening committee recommends that the issue be dropped.  The committee agrees by consensus.

• Issue 3584, Filling Status, Database to Reduce Filing Status Abuse

The screening committee recommends that the issue dropped.  The committee agrees by consensus.

• Issue 4035, FICA Contributions Payment Beyond Statute of Limitation

The screening committee recommends that the issue be worked.  The committee agrees by consensus.  Subcommittee formed with Kim Brown, Bob Haines and Bob McQuistion and Peter Welch.  Kim has volunteered to chair.

• Issue 4565, Additional Exemption at Age 65 and Over

The screening committee recommends that it be held in parking lot with a monitoring status.  Ben will monitor.

• Issue 4566, Option(s) on IRS Website

The screening committee recommends that the issue be worked.  The committee agrees by consensus.  Subcommittee formed with Dick Grzebinski, Louise McAulay, Bob Patterson, Jim Brock and Blanche Davis.  Blanche has volunteered to chair.

• Issue 4567, Frustration over Taxes

The screening committee recommends that the issue be dropped.  The committee agrees by consensus.

• Issue 4568, Taxes Levied on Social Security Benefits

The screening committee recommends that the issue be dropped.  The committee agrees by consensus.

Ben Chapman explained that there should be a report on the progress of all active issues by next month’s meeting.

Subcommittee Report(s) on Active Issues:

Issue 4256, EFTPS Delay in Posting of Tax Payment
Blanche received confirmation from Systemic Advocacy (SAMS) and the issue number is P0028672.  Status is pending waiting assignment.  Inez will continue to monitor and inform committee on updates. 

Financial Literacy
Bob Patterson gave information on financial literacy.  Joseph Holley stated that they have a very extensive financial literacy program throughout West Virginia.  Ben Chapman asked that Joe share that with the entire committee.

Information of upcoming Face to Face
Anita updated committee on the upcoming face to face meeting April 22-24, 2008 in Baltimore, MD.  She reminded everyone to get the travel forms in as soon as possible.  Steve Fulkrod has volunteered to put together some good restaurant and local sites for everyone.

Outreach Events
Kim informed that the Joint Committee seems to have issues with outreaches.  Area 2 completed 46 outreaches for the month of January 2008. As a part of January outreach, Area 2 members participated in four EITC Awareness day events and had one article published in a newspaper. Kim also asked that all members send her their commitments. 

Public Input
Connie Sharpe thanked the committee for inviting her to the meetings.   She says that she always enjoy the content especially the outreach.  Ben Chapman commented that Connie has shared a number of outreach opportunities in the DC area.

Closing Assessment/Q&A/Meeting Survey
Ben emphasized that subcommittee conference call need to be set up and that it might be a good idea for members to request a Reservation list AT&T Calling Cards. Inez stated that all members that want the reservation list calling card to please send the request to her and she will put the list together and forward to Judi Nicholas.  Ben reminded everyone to please complete the meeting survey and get it to Inez.  He also explained that there are several ways to complete the surveys.  Louise McAulay asked about the status of business cards and she was informed that they were ordered.  Ben also mentioned that the Agenda for April’s meeting was in process and asked that members submit ideas.  Inez shared that Nancy Ferree is in the process of obtaining a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to discuss SAMS at the Face to Face.

Meeting adjourned at 2:20pm EST.

Next Teleconference Meeting:  March 19, 2008 at 2:30 PM ET

*Certification: These minutes were approved by the TAP Area 2 committee, by consensus, on March 19, 2008.