November 17, 2003
2 PM PST

TAP ATTENDEES:

• Jim Banks
• Larry Barnard
• Mario Burgos
• Skip Eshelman
• Chris Forzano
• Gregory Maciulla
• Joe Reder
• Sharon Stetz
• Virginia Symonds
• Bruce Twomley
• Sherry Whah
• Tom Sherwood, Designated Federal Official

ABSENT:

• Clayton Agena
• Darlene Bramon  

TAP STAFF:

• Anne Gruber
• Judi Nicholas

OPENING
The Designated Federal Official, Tom Sherwood, opened the meeting at 2:00 o'clock and handed the meeting over to Mario Burgos. Mario welcomed everyone, particularly Larry Barnard, who is new to Area 6, having just moved from Tennessee to Idaho . Mario then reviewed the agenda.

REFERRALS
Greg Maciulla had been given the responsibility of reviewing 45 emails that had been received from practitioners. He was looking for a common theme. On November 7th he sent his report as an email to each committee member with two suggestions.

1. The availability and function of TAS needs to be brought to the attention of the public. Perhaps on the home page of the IRS website, there could be a separate area defining TAS and how they can be located. At the present time, you have to go to the site map to find a listing for TAS.

2. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) could provide a much better service by getting its main input from TAS (therefore decreasing unpredictability). Bruce's project is an excellent example of this paradigm.

Several people commented that they felt Greg's comments were right on target after reading all the emails themselves.

Tom stated that getting issues from TAS only might not be in support of the TAP charter, which requires the TAP to raise issues from citizens. After much discussion the committee agreed to elevate recommendation one.

A separate conversation ensued regarding the scarcity issues left for Area 6 to address. The committee agreed to allow Judi and Tom to identify some issues where the group might provide a citizen perspective. One issue discussed in October was Offers-in-Compromise (OIC).

ACTION ITEM: Tom will email Greg the problem description regarding the OIC program. Judi and Tom, by the December meeting, will come up with some issues and topics for the committee to consider.

Larry Barnard joined the call. He was originally on the TAP from Tennessee but moved to Idaho, and will continue with TAP. Larry commented that he was eager and interested. He feels that TAP is good. The members listen to the public and promote its ideas. He is retired from the railroad after 30 years.

Alaska, Return Processing, #1775

Sherry will e-mail the text of the elevated issue to the committee who will have two weeks to provide comments. Once the comments have been incorporated the issue will be elevated to the Joint Committee to be discussed at the December call.

ACTION ITEM : Sherry will email her report to all members.

Idaho, Universal POA form, # 1595

Since Darlene was not on the call, this issue was put on hold.

New Mexico, Fax numbers on IRS letters, #1200

Mario just sent his document to everyone today. He would like everyone to read it, make comments in the next two weeks, and then elevate the issue.

ACTION ITEM : Judi will edit the recommendation to clarify a few terms and email Mario's report to all members.

AROUND THE AREA
Mario then gave members the opportunity to share what they have been up to since the last meeting.

Joe Reder, from Washington State, wondered what happened to the closing letter to his taxpayer. Judi will follow up to ensure it was mailed.

Chris Forzano, of Washington, started an outreach program.

Virginia Symonds, from Oregon, went to a CPA meeting and discussed the TAP.

Bruce Twomley, of Alaska, appreciated all the support he has received on his taxpayers' rights issue. Even TAS employees are eager to help.

Sherry Whah, from Alaska, went to several outreach activities. Many people are complaining about notices they are receiving for 2001 missing returns. One man had not filed in ten years, yet only received a notice for the one year 2001. She will consider writing up the problem.

Sharon Stetz, from Utah, is going to the Low Income Tax Clinic Meeting (LITC) Washington DC to represent the TAP for her multi-lingual committee.

Greg Maciulla, from Arizona, had nothing else to report.

Mario, from New Mexico, is one of the “40 under 40” in his state and was featured in an article. He used the opportunity to promote TAP.
Larry Barnard, of Idaho, has contacted two newspapers and has an interview scheduled to discuss the TAP.

Jim Banks, from Montana, had nothing to report.

Skip Eshelman, from Wyoming is interested in contact with his Local Taxpayer Advocate. Judi will facilitate the contact.

OUTREACH
Joe reported that his issue committee, which was studying the EITC system was pleased with their results. Taxpayers are being educated and there is a lot of support.

Mario asked Judi about Judi's request for a focus group regarding Installment Agreements. Judi said 4 people from Area 6 responded.

Mario asked about Judi's request concerning those interested in a 3rd year, Judi said all responded.

ANNUAL REPORT
Judi reported that she still didn't have the answer as to what happens to the annual report to Treasury. She will try to find out by next month.

FUTURE FACE-TO-FACE MEETING
The first fact to face meeting will be held Jan 22-24 in Portland. The agenda will include public comment, any issues the public brings up, and any referrals we have open. There will be press releases and a notice in the Federal Register. Virginia who lives in Portland and Chris who lives in Vancouver, Washington may be asked for suggestions concerning hotels and meeting rooms. Previously, CAP used the World Forestry Center, where there was plenty of parking.

Tom adjourned the meeting at 3 o'clock.