Committee’s Teleconference Meeting
March 19, 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
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
Joseph Holley, Barboursville, WV
Louise McAulay, Florence, SC
Robert McQuiston, Bryn Mawr, PA
Robert Patterson, York, PA

Members Absent
Terrance Adlhock, Washington, DC (resigned)
Michael Bryant, Oakton, VA
Edward Johnson, Florence, NJ
Peter Welch, Mooresville, NC

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

Guest(s) Present
Connie Sharpe, Annapolis, MD
Rob Dalziel, Buck Hill Falls, PA
Joel Lawson, Villanova, PA
Ray Boyle, Wilmington, DE

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 stated that the National Office Report and the Tap Chair Report can be found on TAPSpace.  He highlighted that recruitment has now begun and for everyone to please get the word out in their communities.  He mentioned that the final report on the EITC day there were 20 TAP members that participated and out of the 20 four were from Area 2.  He indicated that some area 2 members volunteered but there were no events in their areas.

Town Hall in Durham
Ben reported that there were approx. 30 people, but only about 10 citizens’ participants.  The people that did show up were really involved therefore it was a quality town hall.  Ben mentioned that he was very impressed by the presence of the National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina Olson being that she was testifying on the Hill that same day. 

For the Area 2 Chair report, Ben mentioned that they have announced a new IRS commissioner.  He also informed the committee that Peter Welch has been in a really bad accident where his knee had been shattered.  He is on email and would like to hear from you.  We are still in the process of working on the agenda for the up coming Face to Face in Baltimore, if there is anything that you would like to see on the agenda please get it in within the next few days.  There is a possibility that the last morning session may be eliminated.

Approve Meeting Minutes February 20, 2008
The February Meeting Minutes were approved as written by consensus.

Screening Committee Review of New Issue(s):

• Issue 4316, (A6) Offer-in-Compromise Offer Based on Home Value

The screening subcommittee is recommending that the issue be dropped, because the IRS already has policies in place.

• Issue 4628, Confusion on Where to File Different Forms

The screening subcommittee recommends dropping the issue, because they don’t feel it is a customer service issue.  It was suggested that this issue be tabled and more discussion next month.
Ben announced that Steve Fulkrod is now the Chair of the screening subcommittee.

Subcommittee Report(s) on Active Issues:

1. Issue 4035, FICA Contributions Payment Beyond Statute of Limitation
   Kimberly Brown reported that the subcommittee is waiting to hear from a subject matter expert.
2. Issue 4256, EFTPS Delay in Posting of Tax Payment
   Blanche reported that she submitted the issue to SAMS.  The issue was accepted and assigned an analyst.  The analyst stated that the only way she can work the issue is to have the SSN or identification number.  The SAMS analyst informed that she is given 90 days, but it can take as long as 6 months to a year.  Blanche recommends that the issue be placed in the parking lot in monitoring status.
3. Issue 4515, Training Issue for VITA/TCE for K-1’s
   Carolyn has set up a conference call and invited the Vice-Chair of the VITA Issue Committee because VITA is currently working on this issue.  The call has been scheduled for Friday March 21, 2008 at 1:00pm.  Ben Chapman volunteered to host the call.
4. Issue 4566, Option(s) on IRS Website
   Blanche Davis stated that she is in a holding pattern on this issue.  There was a conference call March 10, there were a lot of suggestions and it was questioned if the Tax Forms and Pubs Committee should take it over.  She is still waiting on a response and will have something for the next meeting.

Information of upcoming Face to Face
Anita updated committee on the upcoming face to face meeting April 22-24, 2008 in Baltimore, MD. 

Outreach Events
Kim reported that so far this month we have 37 outreaches. Everyone submitted an outreach in area 2.  She also asked that everyone place their outreach on the template that is located on TAPSpace.  If you don’t use the form please just ensure that have the name of contact, date, place, and summary of the experience because the Chair needs this information for his monthly report to the Joint Committee.

Public Input
Joel Lawson an alternate from PA, just wanted to let us know that he was on the call, but have had a terrible time holding a connection because he was calling from out of the country.

Closing Assessment/Q&A/Meeting Survey
Ben reminded everyone to complete the meeting survey. Robert Patterson informed that Nina Olson testifying before congress is on CSPAN and that it was very good and informative and if you can catch it rebroadcast please watch it.

Meeting adjourned at 2:22pm EST.

The next meeting is the Face to Face in Baltimore, MD:  April 22-24, 2008 in the IRS Building located at 31 Hopkins Plaza.