Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Area 3 Committee
Face-to-Face Meeting Minutes
February 28-March 1, 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008

Members in Attendance
Dale Cooper
Jaspconia Florence 
Luis Fuentes
Louis Kapugi
Patrice Marker
Hank Mosler
Al Rodriguez
Max Scott 
Homer Sewell III 
Tommy Thompson
Chuck Tice

Members Absent
Mary Armstrong
Mark Paris

DFO present
Rose Browne, DFO

Staff in Attendance
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Sallie Chavez, TAP Program Analyst
Anita Fields, Secretary

Thursday February 28, 2008

Welcome
Chair Dale Cooper welcomed everyone, thanked him or her for attending the meeting.   He also thanked staff for work done for putting this meeting together.

Roll Call
Quorum was met.

Introductions of Panel
Every one present introduced themselves and shared their experiences thus far while serving on the panel.

Introduction of Guest
No guest present

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Minutes from February 2008 is approved as written.
Dale Cooper made note that the April’s Area 3 meeting has changed from the 15th to the 14th due to the Notices Face-to-Face.

National Office Report
Hank Mosler did an outreach with the oversight board.  TAP Charter is approved. Patricia DeTimmerman is the acting manager in the Milwaukee office.  Recruitment has been set to begin March 17 2008.  Nancy Ferree asked the committee to help with recruiting.  She suggested that when they go out and do outreach to please talk about recruitment.  She also mentioned that we would ask panel members to assist in the interview process.  The TAP Annual Report is on tap to be completed by the end of March.  The Birmingham Town Hall was successful.  Durham Town Hall is scheduled for March 13, 2008.  The last Town Hall for the year is in Illinois May 1. 2008.

Oversight Board Meeting Review
Hank Mosler shared that the Oversight Board has a website, if you are interested please Google it.  Their mission is to make recommendations to the IRS Commissioner.   There were three topics discussed:  First discussion was outreach—Stakeholder Partnership.   Second discussion is trying to regulate the tax industry—there is no regulation on who can be a tax practitioner.  There is only one state that regulates it, that is Oregon.  Dale Cooper asked if they are trying to regulate the paid preparers or all practitioners.  Hank answered that they are still working that out.  The third discussion was recruitment for the future—what should we be doing to recruit for the future?  How do we attract people to work for the IRS in the future?  What kind of career development do we offer?  These were all the questions that were discussed. 

Local Taxpayer Advocate Description
Rose Browne explained the functions of the Local Taxpayer Advocate.  They represent the National Taxpayer Advocate for their respective states.  There are two categories; one is a taxpayer that suffers economic harm and those that have systemic problems.  They also work with external organizations.

Town Hall Meeting Review
Mark Paris did four TV shows and one radio appearance for the Birmingham Town Hall.  There were approximately 30 people from the public in attendance.  Also in attendance were the CBS and NBC news reporters.  Nina Olson discussed Offer in Compromise (OIC), Private Debt Collection and Cancellation of Debt.

TAPSpace Review
Sallie Chavez gave a power point overview on how to use TAPSpace.

Meeting Close
Dale Cooper thanked everyone for a successful meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 5:22pm.

February 29, 2008

Welcome/Announcements
Chair Dale Cooper welcomed everyone to today’s meeting.

Introduction of Guest
There is no guest present

How to Work/Write an Issue
Dale Cooper explained how to write an issue.  He also explained how to determine the difference between an individual tax issue and an overall taxpayer issue.  Nancy Ferree added that when you get potential issues; check the IRS website (IMRS) to see if that same issue is being worked already.  Dale went over the Joint Committee Issue Referral Form.  He explained the process of writing up a referral and sending it to the Joint Committee. Hank Mosler explained the Joint Committee process before elevating an issue to the IRS. We reviewed the members of the screening subcommittee, Dale Cooper removed himself, and Nancy Ferree was added.

Introduction of New Issues

• Issue 4540-LRA Funds— the issue has been discussed and dropped by consensus. This is not a TAP issue.
• Issue 4550-Free Tax Prep Problem--The committee has decide to make an active issue with Max Scott, Homer Sewell and Dale Cooper with Max as the lead.
• Issue 4551-Clarity of IRS Notices the issue has been discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4552-Direct Filing of Tax Return with IRS— the issue has been discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4581 Timing of Notices— the issue has been discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4584-Availability of Auditor Worksheet— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4585-In Depth Presentation at IRS Forums— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4586-More than one Location Handling Same Return— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4587-Levies issued without Advising POA—issue discussed and made active by consensus.  Dale Cooper and Tommy Thompson are working it.
• Issue 4588-Levy Notification— this issue and Issue 4587 is being worked together.
• Issue 4589-Unable to Contact IRS with Number on Notices—the issue was discussed and made active by consensus.  Chuck Tice, Nancy Ferree, Patrice Marker and Al Rodriguez volunteered with Al is lead.
• Issue 4591-Tax Credit for Electronically Filed Returns— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4592-IRS Rep Identify Self When They Contact TP— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4596 Filing Returns Directly with IRS— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4598-Reproduce Forms, Information & Instruction in any Language— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.  Luis Fuentes is going to attend the next TF&Pubs committee meeting. This will be held March 4, 2008@ 2:00pm EST by telephone conference.
• Issue 4601-Mileage for Volunteers— the issue has been discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4602-Wait Time on Toll-Free— the issue has been discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4603-One Time EITC Payment— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4604-IRS Website— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4605-Broker Statement Standardization— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4606-Standardize W-2— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4607-Employee vs. Subcontractor— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4608-Exemption for Girlfriend— the issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4610-Availability of IRS Internal Education— issue discussed and dropped by consensus.
• Issue 4612-E-File Provider—Lodging a Complaint—issue discussed and dropped by consensus.

Review of Active Issues

• Issue 4297 IRS Loses Information Sent—issue closed by consensus, if this issue comes up again we will refer to TAS.
• Issue 4404 Copy of Return—Max Scott, Tommy Thompson, Chuck Tice and Luis Fuentes is working this issue and will have a report at the April’s meeting.
• Issue 4550-Free Tax Prep Problem--The committee has decide to make an active issue with Max Scott, Homer Sewell and Dale Cooper with Max as the lead.
• Issue 4587-Levies issued without Advising POA—issue discussed and placed in the parking lot by consensus.  Dale Cooper and Tommy Thompson are working it.
• Issue 4588-Levy Notification— this issue and Issue 4587 is being worked together.
• Issue 4589-Unable to Contact IRS with Number on Notices—the issue was discussed and made active by consensus.  Chuck Tice, Nancy Ferree, Patrice Marker and Al Rodriguez volunteered with Al is lead.

Review of IRS Responses to Recommendation

• Issue TAP 307-3671—SSN Name Control Mismatch on E-filed Returns—The IRS responded and declined to change their computers, but they are updating revising the instructions.  The issue is closed partially accepted by consensus.

Checkbox Issue

• Issue TAP 306-016—Third Party Authorization Expansion—issue discussed, closed rejected by consensus.

Citizen Input
There are no citizens present.

Subcommittee Breakout
The various subcommittees discussed their issues.

March 1, 2008

Welcome/Announcements
Chair Dale Cooper welcomed everyone to today’s meeting.  The monthly meeting dates have changed to the 3rd Monday of every month beginning May 19, 2008 at 12:30pm EST.  The screening subcommittee and subcommittee call will be 2nd Monday of every month beginning May 12, 2008 at 12:30pm EST.  The quality review subcommittee will set their date to meet once the is an issue ready to be elevated to the Joint Committee.

Introduction of Guests
Grace Marker, La Mesa California
Robert Styles, Orlando, FL

Outreach
Dale reported that January’s outreach was very good.  The total was 945 contacts.  Please keep up the good work!  Sallie Chavez informed the members on what information is required when they complete their outreach events. 

TAC Response

• TAC hours of operations—the IRS posted hours of operations and now ensure that it is staffed accordingly
• Delay Issues—the IRS has tried to hire more staff and explain how the number systems work.
• Forms Issues—the IRS has made forms available at the TAC offices now.
• Payment Issues—the IRS has now placed self-service KIOSK in some offices and in the process of getting them in all of them.

Subcommittee Report Out

• Issue 4404-Copy of Tax Return—the subcommittee divided the work and will have a report out on the 18 March 2008
• Issue 4550-Free Tax Prep Problem—the subcommittee agreed that the IRS should present it better.  They discovered that there were no hidden parameters and should state all charges up front.  The subcommittee will present at the March teleconference.
• Issue 4589- Unable to Contact IRS with Number on Notices—the subcommittee determined that it is very difficult to get into the queue…even when you are in the queue you do not know it.  Al will write up results and will have ready at the March teleconference. 
• The check box issue is being worked by the subcommittee and will be placed on the April’s agenda.  Dale is going to speak with Area 4 and try to collaborate with them.

Closing Remarks/Survey/Adjournment
The chair Dale Cooper thanked everyone for coming and stated that it was a real interesting meeting.  There was a lot of good input.  He reminded all to complete the survey and turn it in.  Patrice Marker and Max Scott wanted to bid everyone farewell, because this is their last face-to-face meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00am.

Next Meeting scheduled for Tuesday March 18, 2008 12:30pm EST.

Certification: the Area 3 Committee approved these minutes by consensus on March 18, 2008.