Designated Federal Official

• Adams, Marian - Wichita, KS - LTA

Committee Members Present

• Bell, Kay - Austin, TX - Vice Chair
• Bland, Sandra - Bemidji, MN - Member
• Colvin, A. Elizabeth - Austin, TX - Member
• Freeman, Christopher - Chaska, MN - Member
• Fretheim, Dan - Decorah, IA - Member
• Guthmann, Howard - St. Paul, MN - Member
• Lynch, Reagan - Midland, TX - Member
• Rousseau, Richard - Harker Heights, TX - Member
• Shoemaker, Pau - Lincoln, NE - Member
• Stieger, Lee - Leavenworth, KS - Member
• Villarreal, Josefina - Corpus Christi - Member
• Woodard, Norma - Choctaw, OK - Member
• Wright, Kenneth - Chesterfield, MO - Chair

Committee Members Absent

• Capehart, Craig - Dallas, TX - Member
• Shah, Rajiv - Scottsdale, AZ - Member

TAP Staff

• McQuin, Sandy - Milwaukee, WI - Manager
• Delzer, Mary Ann - Milwaukee, WI - Analyst

Welcome
Wright welcomed everyone.
For those who were unable to attend the Annual Meeting in DC, Orientation will be in Milwaukee next week.

Roll Call
Quorum Met

Area 5 Chair Report-Wright
Joint Committee Report-out
A short meeting was held in DC and the calendar was discussed.  It was decided that chair training would be in Fort Lauderdale.  After the training the real work will start.

Area 5 Annual Report
Currently working on the draft of the Area 5 Annual Repot.  Will send the draft to Delzer and Bell for comment.  Draft will also be shared with current and former members before sent on to the Joint Committee. 

Face to Face meeting-Delzer
Thanks to Rousseau for his help in identifying a hotel in San Antonio.  Please be sure to block these days on your calendar.

• Travel in on Sunday, April 27
• Monday, April 28-meet 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 29—meet 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Issue Discussion
Direct Deposit-Bland
A draft letter has been prepared to send to Nina Olson regarding the problem of misdirected direct deposit refunds.  Guthmann asked if the issue only appears in the 2005 Report to Congress.  Bell stated that the issue was not in the 2006 report.

Wright said he had a few changes he would recommend and will share with Bland.  He has heard from preparers that they are concerned about the liability exposure and how to handle direct deposits.  The perception is increased reluctance at encouraging direct deposit.  They are putting greater burden on clients to confirm deposit information to protect themselves from malpractice.

Bland said that it is the responsibility of preparers if the mistake is their fault. 

Lynch asked why the issue did not appear again in the 2006 report.  McQuin said Olson often has new concerns she wants included.  You do see issues re-visited if there has not been movement.  Maybe this letter will encourage her to look at this again.  Things received from stakeholders might/might not be included.  Lynch stated it would be a good thing for her to get TAP input and know that the problem is still occurring. 

Adams said to require banks to match the names would be one way that might ensure accuracy.  Other agencies require a name match with their direct deposits.  Colvin shared that the good thing about the system now is that not all couples have joint accounts and not matching names is good for them.

Bland asked if they would match only one of the names.  Adams said the last name is matched with a four letter name control.  Social Security has statutory authority to require name matching. 

Wright said maybe the Social Security number should be matched rather than the name.  Perhaps that would be better. 

McQuin said Social Security Administration matches names and does allow deposits in joint accounts that have more than one name.
ACTION: Members to send their suggestions for improvement of the Direct Deposit letter to Bland before January 18, 2008. 
ACTION: Lynch to research how SSA handles their direct deposits to ensure deposit into correct accounts. 

McQuin said letters like this are forwarded to Chris Lee, one of Olson’s attorneys.  A copy will also be sent to Olson and Coston.  Since this is a legislative issue, it is for information only for Olson.  Guthmann asked about what kind of response could be expected.  Wright said this would not be an item to receive a particular response.  McQuin will ask Coston to mention the issue to Olson and see if she would have a message to send back to the committee.  This will be more successful than asking for a response in writing.

Issue Prioritization-Bell
The committee working on this is Bell, Villarreal and Fretheim.  They will use the most recent contact report from this meeting.  Will set up a conference call and go through the issues.  After we prioritize the issues, we will send an email and see who is interested in what.

Stieger asked to discuss the article sent from the Kansas City Star.  The IRS is looking for comments regarding how to limit Refund Anticipation Loans (RAL).  Can TAP give comment?

Bell will email the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rules Making (ANPRM) document to all. Lynch will research the mechanics of responding to the notice. 

Certainly this is a hot issue within TAP and many TAP members may want to respond   TAP is on record regarding concerns about the RALs. 

Bell shared that comments are due by April 7, 2008.
Stieger said it is important for TAP to respond as part of the public interest.
ACTION: McQuin will discuss this at the chair training to determine how TAP could respond. 

Outreach-Wright
November: 7, three members
December: 6, two members
Last year the committee made a commitment that everyone would do two outreaches per month.  This year would prefer to list monthly the names and the number of outreaches accomplished.  The point would be to motivate people to have their names listed. 

ACTION: Item review
Action items assigned to Delzer need to be carried forward to February.
Wright to email the research about #4435, regarding the Form-990 and the six month extension.

Issue Committee Highlights
Bell-Communication.  Mosler wants to encourage use of the tri-fold self mailer for outreach events.  He feels it will be helpful in getting comments from people  If we give people the self mailer at the end of the meeting, you may get people to hand it  back and get more details. 

Fretheim asked if members can have a stock on hand to hand out.  Delzer said any marketing items members needed should be requested form her.  Just send an email with what you need and when you need it. 
Shoemaker asked about the PowerPoint.  Delzer reminded the committee that the outreach materials are on TAPSpace in the “Outreach” folder.

Stieger –Notices.  Have just begun forming for the new year and waiting to see what they will work on this year.   

Guthmann asked about the outcome of the checkbox issue.  Delzer reported that Area 3 closed the issue “Proposal Rejected,” as IRS was not responsive to expanding the authority of the checkbox

Office Report
Wright congratulated McQuin on her promotion.  He thanked her for her contributions and love of the TAP program.

McQuin said she was looking forward to her new job as the Local Taxpayer Advocate for Wisconsin.  She will be with TAP until January 20. 

Coston sent out an email regarding EITC Day, January 31, 2008.  Susan Gilbert will be the contact if you are interested in participating in any of the activities on that day.  TAP can not pay for distant travel, but can reimburse you for local travel.  Please contact Delzer for approval for your travel.

Colvin shared that her coalition will do a press release tying their free tax preparation service to EITC Day.  This year they are going to offer a alternative RAL product to help people get the most of their refunds.  In Austin 60% of those getting EITC bought an RAL.  The coalition served 18% of this population.  Clients want the product.  The coalition is now going to offer a consumer friendly RAL.

McQuin also shared that analyst Barb Foley will be back from her detail and working again for TAP.  We also have candidates for the secretary position.  We also posted for another analyst for the office.  The manager job will be posted soon. 

On the conference call schedule, Area 5’s meeting for November falls on Veteran’s Day and needs to be changed.
ACTION: Be ready to discuss your preference for a new meeting day in November.

Closing/Meeting Satisfaction Assessment
Bell shared that Area 5 is on its way to learning how to operate. 

Villarreal asked about when the business cards would be received.
ACTION: McQuin to check on the status of the business cards order.

McQuin also shared that phone cards should be arriving in the next few days.