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

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

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

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

Members Absent
Lee Congdon
Neil Mitchell

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

Welcome & Announcements
Committee Chair Max Scott opened the meeting by welcoming panel members and asked TAP staff Isai Pallango to call roll. It was noted that Program Analyst Sallie Chavez will not be attending and no citizens were present.

Roll Call
Quorum was met.

Comments from Program Owner
Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano provided updates of EITC forms and stated that changes has been made for 2006 and will change again in the future. Cesarano emailed a copy of forms to Program Analyst Sallie Chavez and will continue revising forms and anticipates participation from all panel members.

Cesarano stated that Program Team will continue working with all panel members and will share more information of CP-75 re-write during face-to-face meeting in New Orleans. Program Owners requested from all panel members to review DAT and provide and DAT score with details.

Cesarano stated that Combined Forms and Testing team should provide comments on testing guide and present information during next month teleconference meeting. It was stated that panel members working on this issue should create a document of research.

Program Owner Cesarano requested questions or comments from all panel members. Chair Max Scott stated his pleasure with the update and work being issued to panel members. It was stated by Chair Scott that panel members should contact Internal Revenue Service personnel to receive proper research information.

Subcommittee Report and Updates

Stuffer Project
Panel members J.T. Wright, David Meister stated nothing new to report. This subcommittee will gather more information and share during next month teleconference meeting. It was also noted that panel members Lee Congdon, Steve Fulkrod, and Ben Chapman will continue this subcommittee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

Direct Mail Marketing
Panel member Mary Suther stated nothing new to report. Suther also shared an internet article of “Copy Writer for Direct Mail.” Panel members Lee Congdon, Howard Stahl, and Mary Suther will continue this subcommittee. All panel members agreed by consensus.

DAT Scoring
Panel member Joe Hurr stated nothing new to report. Chair Max Scott shared that Program Analyst Sallie Chavez will have issues for new panel members and proper training procedures during face to face meeting in New Orleans.

Chair Max Scott stated he created a document and currently on TAPSpace. Chair request all subcommittees to properly document progress report and identify team-leader member. Scott requests this document to be completed prior face-to-face meeting. All panel members agreed by consensus.  

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

Suther mentioned her meeting with President / CEO of Citizens with Disabilities and gathered valuable information and shared with all panel members.

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

Program Owner Jim Cesarano mentioned that it will benefit TAP members to document a report as soon as possible. Panel member David Jones will contact other subcommittees and report information during next teleconference meeting.

Face to Face Meeting
DFO Nancy Ferree stated that face-to-face meeting will be held in Atlanta, GA March 14-16, 2007. Program Analyst Chavez will e-mail travel request forms to all panel members; forms should be directed to TAP staff Isai Pallango.

Meeting Close
Chair Max Scott encouraged panel members to complete subcommittee report document on TAPSpace prior to the face-to-face meeting.

The Notices Issue committee meeting was adjourned.

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