SB/SE E-Filing Issue Committee Meeting Minutes

December 11, 2003

Attendance

• Dick Bobb
• Darlene Bramon
• Mario Burgos, Chair
• Frank Claudman
• Helen Curol
• Sandy McQuin, Designated Federal Official

Program Owners

• Karen Taylor
• Terri Wedepohl

Note Taker

• Mary Ann Delzer

Roll Call/Welcome/Review Agenda
Burgos welcomed the members and reviewed the agenda.

Action Items

1. Delzer to poll committee about new date via email.
2. Taylor to get campaign creatives to the panel for their review.
3. Taylor to prepare timeline for the TAP to review.

Taylor reported on the activities completed since the last meeting. She and Wedepohl reviewed the timeline and feel they are on track. Wedepohl is working on the Q&As and gathering the existing materials. The draft letter is done. Will include a video CD with testimonials of how e-file grew tax business. Also think the packet should include a colorful one sheet on the IRS e-file process and another with suggested processes on managing workload. These are meant to be a “getting ready to use e-file, step by step guide.”

Wedepohl reported on the redesign of the irs.gov website for the filing season. New this year will be an “ad bridge.” This will be placed on various other websites, pop-up ads to various customer segments. IRS was looking at usability of existing irs.gov. Now is a mish- mash. The new look will have four boxes, for four different audiences; individuals, businesses, tax professionals and software developers. Then for each segment, e-file and e-pay information will be available. IRS is using a contractor to do a usability study.

Taylor asked about timing of the face to face meeting. Would committee prefer to meet in February and see product before goes to OMB and focus group or wait until later in the process. Taylor also gave the alternative of using email to go over the products before they go to the focus group.

McQuin asked it the web site design of the E-File Made EZ product will be able to be shared. Is February a good time to see the products?

Taylor stated the website will be done, and the ad bridge will be done. All will be redesigned and up by start of the filing season.

Bobb and Bramon shared their concern that the TAP should add value to the review process. Shouldn't TAP see before goes to the focus group?

Burgos stated that group has had not much success viewing things electronically. That has not worked well in the past. The TAP would have appreciated access to the ad company's website to view draft products. If IRS is going to use a focus group anyway, will TAP add value, or in light of the budget, should we fore go face-to-face?

Taylor stated that she saw getting together important as this has been a joint effort developing the marketing package. IRS really does want TAP input. Should meet before the product is tested

Bobb stated that TAP should give input to the product sooner than later. Bramon stated that TAP input would be limited after the focus testing was done.

Burgos led the discussion about the meeting dates. Claudman requested that the majority of the travel time, meeting time, be on a weekend. Preference will be to travel on Saturday, February 21, meet Sunday, February 22 and return home Monday, February 23.

ACTION: Delzer to send out email with this meeting proposal with a Monday, December 15, 2003, due date for objections.

Office Report
McQuin reported that she is back in the Milwaukee office as manager.

Curol requested that Delzer include the phone number for the conference calls in the body of the email, when sending the agenda.

Closing/Assessment
Burgos complimented Taylor on the timeline and the way IRS is keeping to it. He also complimented Wedepohl on the fact she will show the E-file Made EZ product in February. Burgos proposed the cancellation of the January and February conference calls, in light of the proposed face-to-face meeting in February. Wedepohl suggested that if she has something to share sooner, she can do so by email.

Karen asked Claudman and Cain about availability for a conference call on Wednesday, December 16, 2003, for tax professionals on the TAP. Looking feedback on how/when their offices/practices became electronic.

ACTION: Taylor to send to Delzer conference call information.

Since only two responses received to the last meeting assessment, instrument will not be sent out for this meeting.