Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Issue Committee
Wage & Investment (W&I) Reduce Taxpayer Burden
(Notices)

Meeting Minutes (Annual Meeting in Washington DC)
December 13-14, 2006

Designated Federal Official (DFO)
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager, Plantation, FL

Members Present
Ben Chapman
Paul Colombo
Lee Congdon
Steven Fulkrod
David Jones
David Meister
Neil Mitchell
Max Scott
Howard Stahl
Lee Stieger
Edward Uhrig
Warren Wong
J.T. Wright

Staff Present
Sallie Chavez,     TAP Program Analyst
Isai Pallango,      TAP Staff & Note taker
Jim Cesarano,     IRS Program Owner Representative
Sidney Gardner,  IRS Program Owner Representative

Welcome & Announcements
Committee Chair Max Scott opened the meeting by welcoming members and asked all panel members to introduce themselves and provide informational background.

Introduction of Committee Members
Committee Chair Max Scott requested new panel members for information of personal background. It was noted that all new panel members shared personal information.

Election of New Chair and Vice Chair
Committee Chair Max Scott requested that panel members consider becoming Chair and Vice Chair of the Notice Issue Committee. Program Manager Nancy Ferree stated that new Chair and Vice Chair needed for new direction leadership.

Committee Chair Max Scott was retained as Chair of the Notices Issues Committee.  Panel member Joe Hurr was voted Vice-Chair of the Notice Issue Committee. Panel members agreed by consensus.

Discuss Standing Conference Calls Dates and Face to Face Meeting Locations and Dates and Quorum
Committee Chair Max Scott stated having the Notice Issue Committee Face-to-Face Meeting late March of 2007. Panel members stated dates would be difficult on tax professionals, but agreed by consensus.

Program Analyst Sallie Chavez provided details of locations and times of teleconference meetings. Program Analyst Chavez provided important information of teleconference meetings and what is expected of all panel members. Panel members agreed by consensus on this issue.

Comments from Program Owner
Internal Revenue Service Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano provided updates of projects. He stated the Notice Elimination project cannot move forward without proper funding.

Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano also mentioned CP-23 draft form will be available in the near future and will included comments. Program owner stated a desire to reach the blind, elderly, and the visually impaired tax payers.

Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano shared that a new team called Combine Forms and Testing Team has been created and currently in phase two. New team leader Debra Lopez and Cesarano have been meeting on weekly basis. Nancy Ferree and Sallie Chavez will contact panel members asking of possible involvement.

Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano also provided important information on the DAT Program and definitions of Internal Revenue Service acronyms. Program Owner Representative Cesarano also explained to all panel members the importance of becoming heavily involved in TAP related to being a member.

Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano requested questions from all panel members and Dave Meister provided Excel spreadsheet sample of the “Stuffer Program.” Internal Revenue Service program owners provided awards of appreciation to previous panel members. It was stated that award was for the quality of work done throughout the past year.

Committee Member David Meister stated his appreciation to Program Analyst Chavez for providing valuable information of the Stuffer Program.  Analyst Chavez researched and provided broad information of stuffer project in CD format.

Closing Remarks / Adjourn For The Day
Committee Chair Max Scott adjourn the meeting for the day and reminded all panel members of second half meeting will be the next morning. It was stated by Chair Scott that all panel members should become aware of IRS acronyms and provided definition of “Quorum.”  The quorum set by the committee, by consensus is 50%.

Meeting was adjourn for the day

Issue Committee Meeting Thursday, December 14, 2006, 8am-9:45am

Welcome & Announcements
Committee Chair Max Scott opened the meeting by welcoming members and requested that all panel members complete “Self Assessment” document and if any questions, to please contact TAP Manager Nancy Ferree or Program Analyst Sallie Chavez. Committee Chair Scott asked all panel members for questions or comments.

Panel members Lee Stieger informed chair and members of “Outreach Program.”

Acronyms
Program Analyst Sallie Chavez provided all panel members with detailed definitions of Internal Revenue Service “Acronyms.” Program Analyst Chavez requested panel members to review acronym documents provided and for input or questions.

Subcommittees
Committee Chair Scott informed all panel members that he will team with Chavez and provide information of “Subcommittee” information. Subcommittee definitions were provided to all panel members.

Committee Chair Scott will position panel members into a subcommittee which will enable all members to succeed.

Miscellaneous Issues
Program Analyst Sallie Chavez provided important information of panel members related to issue duties. It was stated to all panel members that phone calls and teleconference meetings should follow the “Ethical Document” provided by Chaves. It was stated that panel members should voice name before speaking or commenting. All panel members agreed on this issue.

Closing Remarks / Adjournment
Chair Scott thanked all panel members for attending Annual meeting and looking forward to a productive year with all panel members.