Issue Committee (W & I EITC) Meeting Minutes

March 14, 2006 12:00 Noon
Teleconference

Program Owner

• Philcox, Crystal, Director, EITC Systems/Stakeholder, Engagement
• Knight, David, Policy Analyst
• O’Brien, Mary, EITC Analyst - Detailee

Designated Federal Official

• Ramirez, Sandra, Brooklyn, NY, DFO/Program Manager

Committee Members Present (These attendees count for quorum)

• Broniarczyk, Robert, Romeoville, IL
• Davis, Blanche, Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Lawler, Mary Ann, Dearborn, MI
• Margulies, Howard, North Easton, MA
• McKenzie, Clifford, Del City, OK                         
• Mitchell, Patrick, Provo, UT, Vice Chair
• Natter, Joyce, Miami, FL
• Richardson, LovellavKnoxville, TN
• Smith, Mavis, Chula Vista, CA
• Uhrig, Edward, Lusk, WY
• Woo, Lillian, Durham, NC, Chair

Committee Members Absent

• Wendt, Charles, Iola, TX

TAP Staff

• Jenkins, Audrey, Program Analyst
• Odom, Meredith, Staff Assistant

Public Participants
Alison Reynolds, Commerce Clearing House (CCH) Reporter, Washington, DC

Welcome
Woo welcomed the members, staff and Program Owners to the meeting and opened the meeting at 12:00 noon.

Roll Call
Quorum met

Sub-Committee Progress Report Out
Return Preparer—Mitchell stated the committee met on the February 22nd to discuss ways to reach out to the return preparer community in efforts to increase EITC participation. Through brainstorming, the committee has reviewed numerous vehicles including posting of EITC marketing materials in different venues. These venues include senior citizen centers where there are VITA sites, commercial tax preparers such as Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block, and possibly partnering with AARP, etc. This committee has read in the Miami Harold, in which the Mayor claimed that his city had the highest EITC participation rate. This sparked the idea to find out exactly what had been done to educate those taxpayers and then to disseminate information in the most cost-efficient manner possible. It will also be important that all of these communications be in all of the languages applicable. Mitchell mentioned the Area 6. Knight reminded the committee that Seniors 65 years of age and older are not eligible for the EITC, unless they have qualifying children.

Beadsie asked “How the outreach to the city leaders relates to Return Preparers”’? It is just a strategy to educate the public. The idea was to get input from leaders on how to get to this community. The question was also asked as to what percentage of EITC returns are prepared by preparers. Knight stated it is between 70 and 80 percent. 

Demographics--The committee met this morning, at which time they discussed the preparation of questions for David Knight to narrow down their focus and direction. Discussion centered around the question, “Does the IRS have statistics on tax filers using EITC broken down by rural, suburban, inner cities; compared numbers to the total number of tax filers?” Davis has been in contact with an IRS employee, Kevin Mullan located in SB/SE in Connecticut. He has been able to provide her with information on E-File demographics, statewide for Tax Year 2003 and will have Tax Year 2004 by mid-year, (June 2006). Knight reminded the committee that there was a study done in Hartford, Connecticut which may be of use to them. Knight could ask the research department to run a numbers by zip code to see if that will be of use. Davis asked if the figures for 2002 can be provided. Jenkins will contact Mohan to find out what query they used to get this information. This will make it easier to provide the committee with the requested information.

Immigration/Language Barriers--The committee met and discussed the packages that were distributed at the Annual meeting, which were very useful. The committee is interested in finding out who their customers are; their education levels, ability to use the English language, and income levels. The committee believes both benefits of obtaining the EITC as well as the punishment for wrongfully obtaining it should be advertised. Richardson references the MLI committee which she and McKenzie was a members last year. The committee suggests the MLI committee contacts and stakeholders as a good. Although the MLI committee focused on the Asian community, last year’s work, may provide this committee with needed information. They suggested that a host of volunteers who speak different languages be centrally located where taxpayers can obtain help. Knight asked about help desk numbers for assistance in other languages. Richardson has only had verbal contacts with college students,
 
Technology--The committee has decided to interview other organizations who work with low income taxpayers to get their opinions and input as to how the IRS could get eligible taxpayers to file for the credit. It appears that four out of seven contacts stated that taxpayers are not interested or educated on the EITC, Taxpayers are only interested in the money amounts they are going to be refunded. The use of technology among this group is limited to downloading music, ring tones and things of that nature. It may be difficult to reach out to that community because the use of technology is low as it pertains to taxes. Ramirez suggests that the EITC office look at using the text Messaging Service to get to that part of the public.

Woo requested that all subcommittees forward her their notes so she can include the activity in the Monthly report.

April Face-to-Face Meeting
The Face to Face meeting is going to be held at the Renaissance Hotel located at 999 9th Street in Washington, DC. The meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 21, 2006 (full day) and Saturday, April 22, 2006 (half day). Travel days are Thursday, April 21, 2006 and the afternoon of Saturday, April 22, 2006.

Philcox will be providing Analyst from the EITC Research department who will present research that has already been done on EITC customers. There will also be presentations on project planning and tips on research techniques. The committee will be provided with the 2007 EITC Outreach Campaign as well as the Hartford Certification Test results.

There will be time built into the agenda for subcommittee break-outs. Each sub-committee will be provided with a facilitator who will help them develop action plans and identify activities and contact groups.

Public Participation
None

New Action Items

Odom

• Provide committee with travel information

Ramirez/Woo/Philcox

• Finalize April EITC Face to Face meeting agenda

Sub-Committee Chairs

• Provide Face to Face logistic needs to Jenkins
• Send Woo sub-committee meeting notes