| SB/SE E-Filing
Issue Committee Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2003
3:00 PM EST
Conference Call
TAP ATTENDEES:
- Dick Bobb
- Aimee Brace
- Mario Burgos, Chair
- Frank Claudman
- Helen Curol
- John Hollingsworth
- Tim Jarrell, Vice Chair
- Patrick McCombie
- Howard Perkins
- George Pruchniewski
- Doreen Scott
- Mary Ann Delzer, Designated Federal Official
TAP STAFF:
PROGRAM OWNER:
ABSENT:
- Darlene Bramon
- Maria Hermann-Pariente
- Michelle Nelson
OPENING
Mario Burgos opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. He
briefly reviewed the agenda and thanked everyone for the relevant
articles that they have been sending to each other. He wondered
if quorum was met with this meeting and asked Anne to take
the roll. Anne Gruber took the roll call. Mary Ann said quorum
was 50% plus one, in other words eight. Quorum is met.
Everyone had reviewed the minutes from the last meeting,
which was held on December 12, 2002
via teleconference. There were no changes. Aimee Brace motioned
to approve the minutes. Howard Perkins seconded the motion.
Mario Burgos asked if there was any public input and Mary
Ann stated no one had called to request joining the call.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT OUT
Aimee Brace reported for the subcommittee on “E-File
marketing to tax professionals.” She said there is a
tremendous amount of marketing material that goes out to paid
preparers. The reasons why paid preparers don’t use
E-File are varied.
- They are doing what they have always done.
- Their clients don’t ask for it.
- Their clients mostly use the estimated tax system, so
a fast refund makes no difference to them because they just
roll their refund over to the next tax payment.
- Many of their clients owe and don’t see the need
to do it fast.
Mario commented that E-Filing is up this year and that the free
service on the IRS web site has had a positive effect. Karen
Taylor says that 650,000 returns have been E-Filed so far this
year. But the taxpayers who are attracted to the Free E-File
program are not the same ones as the paid preparer’s clients.
Many paid preparers don’t charge for E-File. Many preparers
don’t like to E-File because there are so many steps.
All the information on a W-2 must be entered, field-by-field.
However, Karen commented, that in January 2004, starting with
the Forms 1120 and 990, the IRS will have a new program that
will allow the information to be scanned. Karen also said they
are attempting to break down the barriers that the paid preparer
perceives are there by listing Befores and Afters, i.e., list
the old hurdles that have been corrected. This education process
will help the practitioners by making a visual list of why they
couldn’t file electronically with the date that the change
started, so they can see that the hurdles that were there are
no longer.
Another possible barrier is the check that IRS does for
Electronic Return Originators (EROs). They must be fingerprinted
and go through a background check. But paper preparers don’t
have to be checked, only EROs. Karen explained that the check
is done to protect the integrity of the E-File system and
the Office of Professional Responsibility is in charge of
the program. As the committee pointed out, why should a trusted
preparer who has been preparing returns for years suddenly
be subject to a background check just to electronically file?
Howard Perkins is an ERO and he said it was a simple, easy
process. It only took 20 days for his application. He would
like to dispel the rumor that it is difficult. Maybe in the
Before/After list it could be included.
Dick Bobb wondered if there is any survey done by the IRS
to determine the taxpayer’s degree of satisfaction with
e filing. There may be a great increase in the number of e-filers,
but what if there experience was poor and they will not use
it again in the future. Karen said all forms should be able
to be electronically filed. Now all the 1040 forms, the 940-941
forms, the 1065, and the 1041 and by January 2004, the 1120
and 990 will be included. In meeting with practitioners, they
also want business extension forms to be included in the list.
Mario would like to know the dates when particular forms will
be accepted. Karen said with the reorganization of IRS, the
operating divisions are responsible for updating the forms.
Mary Ann asked Aimee what forms the practitioners are having
trouble with.
Frank Claudman reported for the “E-File for Dummies”
subcommittee. He said that they met and identified six areas
that should be addressed. They are
- Form 8633, the application form,
- software programs and what is the best,
- IRS support,
- hidden costs,
- security,
- provider registration form.
He said they are scheduled to meet again. Karen asked to be
included, so the meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2003
at 3 PM EST. Helen commented on the Business Week article that
she sent to the entire committee.
Doreen Scott reported for the “E-File on the Website”
subcommittee. John Hollingsworth said that people who use
the free filing feature on the IRS web site were discovering
hidden charges. The criteria are spelled out and mostly the
service is directed at low-income taxpayers. Concern was expressed
that taxpayers think it is free and although the tax company
should be blamed for the expense, in actuality, IRS gets blamed.
Mario suggested that everyone take the suggestion to his or
her area committee for more exposure.
Mary Ann asked about the tagline on the E-File logo on the
IRS website. Everyone thought that the current “Consider
it Done” should be more explicit, like “To Find
Out About E-File, Click Here.”
The website subcommittee and the Tax Professional Subcommittees
are finished. The Tax Professional group will put their results
in writing. Karen asked if she could use the committee members
in these two groups as sounding boards in the future for the
next round of marketing materials.
OUTREACH REPORTS
Discussed Karen’s marketing information package that
was sent to all. Everyone agreed to review the material and
discuss next month.
John Hollingsworth, Dick Bobb, and Mario spoke about their
individual outreach efforts this month.
ACTION ITEMS
ACTION: Everyone will read Karen’s
marketing materials to offer suggestions.
ACTION: Everyone will contribute any agenda
items that they wish to discuss for next month’s meeting.
Dick asked if he could send to the committee members a survey
from Area 2 about 941 E-File.
ACTION: Dick to send Area 2 issues to Mary
Ann for distribution to the committee.
Discussion was held on whether this issue committee was interested
in public comments. Mario said that public comments are best
received at the area committees, but all meetings are open
to the public and anyone can contribute. Mary Ann said that
the Federal Register notice gives the public the choice of
oral comments or written comments. There is no limit to the
number of telephone lines for a conference call.
ACTION: John to write proposal to go to
Joint Committee on listing teleconferences on “events
page” of TAP website.
OFFICE REPORTS
None, except Mary Ann offered again if anyone needs anything
to just ask. She reminded everyone that she will be on leave
from February 17 to 25.
CLOSING
Mario Burgos reminded everyone of next meeting on March 13,
2003 at 3 PM EST. He also mentioned that the face-to-face
meeting is scheduled for Atlanta the first week in June. Mario
then said since there was no time for the assessment form
for this meeting, he wondered if everyone could complete it
and send it to Mary Ann since the information is valuable
to him in his role as chairman.
ACTION: Mary Ann will check with all panel
members to confirm their availability for a June meeting.
ACTION: Mary Ann will send to all members
the Meeting Satisfaction Survey |
Text Version
