June 4, 2003

Present:

• Frank Claudman
• Dan Drumel
• Robin Gausebeck
• Dick Greenberg
• Glenn Hall
• Larry Lexow
• Leslie Malcolmson
• Joe Meissner
• Bob Meldman, Chair
• Dick Murphy
• Teresa Smedley
• Nancy Quarles

Absent:

• James Abraham
• Bob Burke
• David Cain
• Ivan Cotman
• Thad Davis
• Delford Jones
• Richard Morris

Staff Present:

• Mary Ann Delzer, DFO
• Patti Robb, Note Taker

Welcome/Announcements/Review Agenda
Quorum Met.

Meldman - Wanted to discuss a couple items. What can the committee do in terms of important issues since we cannot directly address legislative issues? Look at the letter from Nina Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, for direction. Legislative issues should go to Arlene Kay, Director of Systemic Advocacy, with a copy to Olson. Also look at the issue flow document. We should:

1. consider the issue
2. go to the analyst for research
3. analyst reports to committee
4. if we feel it is a good issue, can assign it to a sub committee
5. write up proposal and forward to the Joint Committee for consideration

Review/Approve Minutes
Drumel moved to approve the minutes from the May meeting. Claudman seconded.

Public Input--None

Sub-Committee reports

• Form 990 - Meissner
  Conference call with Roberta Zarin, IRS Outreach. We would like to make sure the IRS makes certain to tell 990 filers that assistance is available from IRS. Additional problem is that sometimes the 990 is not done properly and then there are penalties assessed. This can cause a hardship. Will do more research to find out exactly what happens and will report at the next meeting. Goal is to have a list of recommendations for Area 4 to consider by the August meeting. Next subcommittee meeting is June 26, 2003, at 2: 00 EDT.

Meissner - There is website that has a list of who filed 990s. Guidestar.com

Meldman - This committee is a good example of how committees can grow ; they found that the IRS could not change the forms so they found a way to educate the taxpayers.

• Refund Anticipation Loans - Meissner
  No one else in TAP is directly working this issue. It has a relationship to EITC so would like to keep them involved. We are in the process of collecting RAL materials - studies and impact. Will compile information and send out to committee.

Meldman - Check to see if NTA has a position on this issue. One approach would be to endorse her position.

ACTION: Delzer will review NTA Report to Congress to determine NTA position. Forward information to Meissner before June 18.

• Just In Time Notification - Delzer
  Many items in the JIT report have different owners. Next step is to contact them to discuss IRS resources.

• Taxpayer Correspondence - Delzer
  Sent out letters in response to Greenberg's contacts. Sent out all thank you letters to the people in the Service Center in Covington.

• Elimination of Supporting Forms 1040A - Gausebeck
  Requested information from the IRS owners. Have not received response from them yet. Received copy of the report "One Form Project." Report states that paperwork burden would increase if forms 1040EZ/1040A are eliminated. The report seemed to concentrate on paper filing, not electronic. Delzer has requested additional information in order to do a trend analysis.

• Increase Acceptance E-File Returns - Delzer
  Still being worked.

• Accuracy of Withholding Tables - Delzer
  Many TAP committees have this issue listed on the matrix. The chairs will have a conference call to discuss who will champion the issue.

• TeleFile / Over 65 - Hall
  Talking about expanding TeleFile. TIGTA report indicates that IRS management is wrong is stated that e-file is more cost effective. IRS is forming task force to answer the concerns of the TIGTA audit. Does not sound like updated TeleFile would be the best use of resources. Task force is exploring possibility to expand to first time filers and people who have moved. Will monitor. May not be worth pursing.

• Refund Check Envelope - Quarles
  Resolved the issue at the face-to-face. Needs to contact software company about moving the SSN on the check - or even eliminating the SSN. Will call Delzer for direction.

Meldman - Suggested to also ask Delzer if this is owned by the same person who has envelopes.

Gausebeck - I brought this issue up at the Joint Committee meeting in May. Arlene Kay was going to take this issue back to Systemic Advocacy with her.

Quarles - There are two options:
1) move or remove the SSN
2) Remove the window in the envelope

Lexow - Could also remove all SSN digits except the last four.

• Outreach Strategy - Lexow
  Have not had a conference call yet to organize the topics/authors. Will have a call and will report by the next meeting.

Miscellaneous
Meldman - The EITC committee send out a poll for practitioners to the panel regarding Form 8867. Claudman said he received it and has a response. He will forward his response to Delzer who should forward to Handelman.

New Issues

• Innocent Spouse
  Meldman -Practitioner suggested there should be a better way to screen applicants up front. Is this an educational process? Redesign form - like a flow chart? Consensus was not to take this issue at this time. Place it in the Parking Lot.

• Installment Sales
  Claudman - Land contracts/installment sales. Would like to simplify forms. It's four pages now, would like to simplify to two. Will do more research. Will send information already gathered to Drumel. They will research and report at the next meeting.

• Written Proposals
  Drumel suggested that a Committee chair who would like assistance in writing up proposals could call upon Jim Abraham for assistance. Abraham agreed to provide this service , but will need the research to have been completed.

• Advance Child Credit
  Committee discussed how the new legislation and proposed corrections. Members will follow the issue.

Office Report
Delzer got a response regarding the excise claim. She will send out to the committee for review.

Parking Lot
Delzer - Asked that the August meeting be changed to August 20, at 11:00 am, Central Daylight Time as the staff will be attending mandatory training the first two weeks in August. All present agreed.

Made an announcement about the Annual TAP Meeting. It is scheduled for October 1-4, 2003, in Washington, D.C., at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. More information will be coming.

TAP Speak
If you need help with TAP Speak, please contact Delzer.

Miscellaneous
Claudman - When sending out emails, could you please start the subject line with "TAP" so it is easily identified and he won't accidentally delete it as SPAM.

Delzer will send out the meeting satisfaction survey. Please complete and return.

Meeting Adjourned.