Designated Federal Official
Judi Nicholas, acting DFO

Members Present
George Bates
Milissa Bensen, Vice-Chair
Eileen Birge
Dean Conder
Laura Criel
Steve Maisch
Neil Mitchell
Joe Shields, Chair
Ed Uhrig
Harris Widmer

Members Absent
Marilynn Clapp

Staff
Nina Pang, TAP Analyst

Opening/Welcome
Judi opened the meeting.  She will serve as the acting DFO while Teresa is at the TAS Symposium.  Joe welcomed the members and staff.  Roll was taken by Judi and quorum was met.

Meeting Minutes Approval
The committee reviewed the minutes from the June 10, 2008 meeting and the July 1, 2008 meeting. 
DECISION:  The committee approved both of the meeting minutes from June 10, 2008 and July 1, 2008.

Outreach Review
Milissa reported that outreach efforts have dropped from last year.  The committee discussed the decrease in outreach and offered explanations.  Some three-year members stated that they have already exhausted the contacts in their communities.   Judi asked every member to complete at least one additional outreach per month through November 30th.  Next year, Nina will assist members in identifying outreach opportunities. 
Miscellaneous Subcommittee Report

• #608-4277 (Form 3949-A, Information Referral –- Tax Return Preparers Reporting Fraud)

Neil reported that the subcommittee’s elevated issue was returned by the Joint Committee.  The subcommittee was debating on whether to re-write it and send it back to the Joint Committee or drop it.  The committee members discussed the ability for the tax preparer to have the form auto-populate with the information and electronically submit it.  The subcommittee wanted some input from the Area Committee regarding this issue.  The Area Committee members were inclined to drop the issue.  Members of the subcommittee will make a decision on this issue at their next subcommittee meeting. 

• #4395 (Form 2848 – Interpretation)
• #4356 (Powers of Attorney – Ignored by the IRS)

Neil reported that the subcommittee would like to combine them, if possible, due to similarities appearing in the issues.  The subcommittee will continue to explore issues #4395 and #4356. 

Taxpayer Burden Subcommittee Report

• #4307 (Installment Agreements – Appeal Rights)

Eileen reported for Marilynn who was absent.  Upon receipt of a CP523 letter, sent by the IRS to inform the taxpayer of intent to levy, the complainant tried to execute his right to appeal.  He was surprised to find out IRS employees did not understand that taxpayers could appeal the intent to levy.  Dave provided extensive research on this problem.  The panel members tested the telephone numbers provided and did not find the claim to be true.  The subcommittee recommended that the issue be dropped. 
DECISION:  The Area Committee agreed to drop issue #4307.

• #4373 (Excess Collections – Applied to a Subsequent Assessment)

Eileen reported there was no contact information for the caller so the panel members could not obtain more information.  The situation was highly unusual and possibly misstated.  The complainant thought he/she had a $500 refund, but the return was filed beyond the three-year refund statute which the complainant believes triggered an audit.  Instead of a refund, the examiner determined that there were mistakes made by the taxpayer and they should have paid $1000 in tax and not due a refund.  The subcommittee could not find any systemic issue with #4373 and recommended it be dropped.
DECISION:  The Area Committee agreed to drop issue #4373

• #4388 (Audits – Submitting Documentation)

Eileen reported that audit documentation was received but not recorded in a timely fashion.  This appears to be a systemic problem.  It was discovered on July 23rd that Area 5 may be working on this same issue.  Dave will contact the Area 5 analyst to determine if the issues are the same.   If this issue is the same as the one being worked by Area 5, the subcommittee will pursue a different issue.    

IRS Services Subcommittee Report

• #4202 (EFTPS Time Zone Problems)

Millissa reported that the subcommittee has completed a Joint Committee referral for issue #4202.  This has been through Area 6 quality review and is now ready to go to the Joint Committee.
DECISION:  The committee approved the elevation of issue #4202 to the Joint Committee. 

• #4708 (Free File – Fees for Service)

Millissa reported that since Area 3 is working an issue similar to #4708, Area 6 will leave the issue in the parking lot for future follow up.  During the next subcommittee meeting, they will select another issue to work. 

Joint Committee Report
Joe reported the Joint Committee will have a meeting Wednesday, August 6th.  Bernie Coston will be detailed for four months as the Executive Director for Case Advocacy.  Shawn Collins will be detailed to Bernie’s position during that time.  Shawn is the grants administration manager for the Low Income Taxpayer Clinics in the IRS.

Judi reported that all of the names for the prospective TAP members were approved by Nina Olson last week.  The list of names will be forwarded for the commissioner’s review and approval.    

Recap Action Items and Timeframes
Joe recapped the items and timeframes

Member Comments
Eileen looked over the 2007 TAP annual report and made a comment that TAP can’t start on the report too early.  She recommended Area 6 devote some time at their next meeting to talk about the report content and solicit volunteers to work on the report.   

Judi added that Wayne Whitehead will chair the 2008 TAP annual report process and he has a lot of activities underway with the Joint Committee.  Judi anticipates next year’s report will be out months earlier than this year’s report.  This topic will be added as an agenda item at the next meeting. 
ACTION: Anyone who would like to work on the report, please contact Joe or Judi before the next meeting. 

Closing
Judi closed the meeting.