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

Meeting Minutes (Teleconference)
January 4, 2007 1:00 PM – EST

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

Members Present
Ben Chapman
Paul Colombo
Lee Congdon
Steven Fulkrod
Joe Hurr
David Jones
David Meister
Max Scott
Howard Stahl
Mary Suther
Chuck Tice
Edward Uhrig
Warren Wong

Members Absent
Lee Stieger
J. T. Wright

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

Welcome & Announcements
Committee Chair Max Scott opened the meeting by welcoming members and stated that The Federal Register Announcement was not completed. It was noted that this Notice Committee meeting will be non-formal and no formal notes will be needed.

Roll Call
Quorum of 8 was met; 13 members were present

Comments from Program Owner
Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano provided updates of new team called Combined Forms and Testing and added that he has been attending meetings with team leader Debra Lopez. It was stated that panel members will need to participate in the testing process of the project.

Cesarano stated that a guidebook was created for the team and a TAP subcommittee was formed to determine how TAP members would work with the testing guide. DFO Nancy Ferree requested a copy of testing guidebook and Jim Cesarano stated that he would provide a copy when contacted.

It was also stated by Cesarano that overall Notice Program currently on “Continuous Resolution” and will be for the long-term. Internal Revenue Service Program Owner Sidney Gardner currently working on SPOC coordinator and work may be coming in from different directions.

Chair Max Scott stated that a 30-day turnaround would be reasonable if Program Analyst Sallie Chavez approves. Chair Scott requested 1-2 weeks notice to appoint an AD HOC team to properly act in response to issue. Cesarano will contact analyst Chavez and work on details of appointing a team and assignments. It was agreed that Chavez and Cesarano will meet next week and report conclusion to Chair Max Scott.

Panel member Ben Chapman asked if conclusion would be made available to entire committee, but Chavez indicate it would be sent to only subcommittee panel members because of the size and cost issues.

Panel member Warren Wong asked panel members to please stated name before speaking; Chair Scott agreed.

Subcommittee Report and Updates

DPT (CP23, 24, & 25)
Committee Member Joe Hurr previously team-up with analyst Chavez on this issue, but no longer because of his newly appointed Chair responsibilities. Chavez stated that panel members needed for subcommittees. It was stated that Edward Uhrig will replace Joe Hurr. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Chavez stated that panel members Lee Stieger, Warren Wong, and Edward Uhrig will form this sub-committee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Stuffer Project
Panel members J.T. Wright, David Meister, and Lee Congdon previously formed this subcommittee, but J.T. Wright participation limited because of newly appointed Chair responsibilities. Chavez stated that two panel members needed to replace J.T. Wright.
It was noted that panel members Lee Congdon, Steve Fulkrod, and Ben Chapman will form this subcommittee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Direct Mail Marketing
Panel members Lee Congdon, Howard Stahl, and Mary Suther will form this subcommittee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Vision Impaired (TIGTA) Project
Panel member Mary Suther will lead this subcommittee along with the participation of Lee Stieger, David Jones, and Edward Uhrig forming this subcommittee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Combined Forms & Testing Project
Panel member David Jones will lead this subcommittee along with the participation Joe Hurr, Neil Mitchell, Ben Chapman forming this subcommittee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano will follow up on the Vision Impaired project with Debra Lopez and report information to Program Analyst Sallie Chavez in the near future.

Self-Assessment / Annual Report
Committee Chair Max Scott stated that Face-to-Face Meeting will be in March and Program Analyst Chavez indicated she would likely schedule meeting March 14-16, 2007, but location still pending. Chair Scott stated that he would greatly appreciate all panel members to attend.

Meeting Close
Chair Max Scott encouraged panel members to input personal information on TAPSpace and that he is in the process of completing Annual Report. Panel member Warren Wong questioned who will be leading subcommittees; if no leader, Chair Max Scott and Chavez will appoint leaders.

The Notices Issue committee meeting was adjourned.  

Next meeting will be February 1, 2007 at 1: 00 PM EST.