March 7, 2003

Area 7 Panel Members held a face-to-face meeting on March 7, 2003 from 12:30pm to 6:00pm pacific standard time.

Members in Attendance:

• Yvonne Gallegos-Bodle, Oxnard, CA
• Curtis Feese, Covina, CA
• James Griffin, Walnut Creek, CA
• Cheyanna Jaffke, Placentia CA
• Howard Perkins, Suisun City, CA
• David Robinson, San Francisco, CA
• Charles Taylor, San Diego, CA
• Laurie Keleman (Designated Federal Official), Los Angeles, CA

Members Absent:

• Norma Bishop, Santa Barbara, CA
• Chris Lowe, Placentia, CA
• Michelle Nelson, Mission Viejo, CA

Staff in Attendance:

• Mary O'Brien: TAP Program Analyst, Seattle, WA
• Judi Nicholas: TAP Manager, Seattle, WA

Guests:

• Irene Scandiffio
• Stella Lee
• Mary Ronenell
• Gladys Knight
• Alan Jenson, LTA for San Jose

Welcome/Announcements/Review Agenda:
Charles Taylor opened the business meeting. Charles welcomed all members and guests. The agenda was reviewed and modified.

Upcoming Changes for IRS Stakeholder, Partnership, Education and Communication (SPEC):
Irene Scandiffio, IRS Area 7 Director of SPEC, gave a presentation on the upcoming changes for the Stakeholder, Partnership, Education and Communication (SPEC). The following subjects were discussed:

- Background of SPEC
One of the objectives that came out of the Revenue Reform Act of 1998 and the reorganization of the IRS was a focus on "pre-filing" for IRS customers. This pre-filing focus for individual taxpayers was charged to the IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC). Their mission statement:

Stakeholder Partnerships, Education, and Communication

Mission Statement
"To assist taxpayers in satisfying their tax responsibilities by building and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders, seeking to create and share value by informing, educating, and communicating with our shared customers."

SPEC Concept of Operations Developed: new & existing partnerships

Strategy

• Educate internally and externally,
• Effectively leverage our resources by expanding and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders,
• Improve our product development based on customer feedback, and
• Improve our reporting and measurement systems.
• External Communications
• Timely Distribution of VITA Site Listings
• Publicize VITA Training Schedules
• Innovative Recruitment & Retention Techniques
• Speakers & Informational Items to Partners
• Expand Electronic Means of Communication
• Use Standardized, Targeted Products & Services

Measures - Business Results

• Establish VITA Activity Database
• Timely & Complete Reporting by Sites
• We would Use Activity Information to Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Increase the Number of Partners
• Form / Join Coalitions
• Increase Number of Self-Sufficient Partners

Measures - Partner Results

• Qualitative
• Delivery of Programs & Services
• Increased Return Accuracy
• Level of Self-Sufficiency
• Assistance to Other Partners
• Quantitative

Review/Approve Minutes
The January meeting minutes were approved with no changes.

Joint Committee Report Out:
Charles Taylor gave a brief overview of the Joint Committee conference call.

• The Joint Committee is scheduled to meet in Washington DC on May 2nd and 3rd.
• The Joint Committee discussed time commitments of the panel members. Many panel members feel pressure from serving on two committees. The joint committee is still getting input and will continue to discuss the issue.

Outreach Report:

• Cheyanna made presentations to VITA sites. She will do 6 more between now and April 15th.
• Howard met with several civic groups.
• Yvonne talked with Ventura County Tax Preparers
• David discussed TAP with the local AARP a senior center, and the Association of Government Accountants. David also met with the Oakland Local Taxpayer Advocate, Ben Lowe to discuss possible outreach events.
• Curtis met with the Covina Chamber of commerce
• Jim met with Ben Lowe, LTA for Oakland and discussed TAP with the Federal Executive Board. Jim also prepared and distributed a survey concerning TAP to the San Francisco Passport office.
• Laurie met with the SMRLC

Yvonne asked that all panel members be notified when someone is doing a presentation. She would like to attend and encourages others to do the same. The benefit would be to give each other ideas. Email all outreaches to Mary. She will ensure that the rest of the panel members are notified.

Issues Process:
Laurie and Charles discussed the process that was developed for committee approval to prioritize and present issues. The issue sub-committee (Charles, Laurie and Howard) will meet to prioritize the issues for discussion.

The panel agreed to the issue process by consensus.

New Issues:

#168 Offer In Compromises - requiring returns for those who are not liable to file.
Issue open for further analysis. Mary will find out the specific procedures for requesting returns. How many people get rejected because of unfilled returns. Who is reviewing the OIC's . Where in the process does it get rejected and do they have a capability to check if taxpayer has a filing requirement. Pull the IRC code.

#290 Gambling winnings
Consensus is to not pursue this issue.

#69 Navigating the IRS digital daily website to fine the Internal Revenue Code.
The panel looked at the website and decided that the information was available. By consensus, the issue will not be pursued.

#67 Form 8160c - wrong Employer Identification Number
Issue on hold pending more research: Get more research about the letter, who sends it out, when and how many per year are mailed.

#14 Change Form 1040EZ so that more people can file with this Form.
The panel concurred that to change the Form would increase the complexity and cause undue hardship to those taxpayers it was intended to help. Form 1040A is also an avenue for those who do not need to file Form 1040. By consensus it was decided not to pursue issue.

#23 Ability to change an individual address over the Internet
Issue on hold pending research. Possibility to refer issue to the E-File subcommittee.

#24 and #25 Customer Service at the San Bernardino, CA Office
Issue to be referred to local territory manager for customer service. Issue closed.

#21 Abbreviated Depreciation Form
Panel decided not to pursue issue by consensus. Issue closed.

#22 Box put on Form 8109b to indicate year payment should be applied to
Panel decided not to pursue issue by consensus.

#19 Power of Attorney problem
Panel discussed issue and decided that this is an education issue since this is already policy. Issue closed with no further discussion.

#16 Internet research by IRS employees
Panel discussed issue and decided that there is a learning curve in any job. This is likely the case. No further discussion on issue. Issue closed.

#257 Audit Appeal Rights
Although the panel discussed the issue and decided that this is not a TAP issue, it was decided to refer this to the LTA. The LTA may be able to educate him on reconstructing records. The LTA will also address discourteous treatment.

#18 Notification of Estimated Tax Payments not received by the IRS
The panel discussed issue and by consensus decided not to pursue.

#15 Parent Dependent Criteria
Issue is pending for additional research. Find out how many taxpayers are affected. What are other tax remedies are available.

#17 Accrual of Interest and Penalties when in an Installment Agreement
By consensus, it was decided to not pursue this issue.

#20 Alternative Minimum Tax
The panel has decided that although this is an important issue, the NTA is working this legislative issue and the panel may use its time on other issues. It was decided that the panel would develop a letter of support to send to the NTA.

#121 Flat Tax
The panel decided not to pursue issue by consensus.

#29 Form 1040NR
The panel decided not to pursue issue by consensus.

#44 Eliminate Passive Activity Rules
By consensus, it was decided not to pursue issue.

#77
By consensus, it was decided that this is not a TAP issue. No further action.

Administrative:
Action: The panel decided by consensus that when a suggestion or comment from the public is given to the TAP staff that is not a TAP issue, the analyst should not write the issue up for panel consideration.

Public Input:
No comments from the public

Closing:
Charles Taylor adjourned the meeting.