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

Meeting Minutes (Teleconference)
June 7, 2007 1:00 PM – EST

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

Members Present
Ben Chapman
Steven Fulkrod
Joe Hurr
David Jones
Neil Mitchell
Max Scott
Lee Stieger
Chuck Tice
Edward Uhrig

Members Absent
Paul Colombo
David Meister
Howard Stahl
Mary Suther
Warren Wong
J. T. Wright

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

Welcome & Announcements
Chair Max Scott opened meeting by welcoming panel members and asked TAP staff Isai Pallango to call roll. Panel member J.T. Wright will be excused from meeting due to TAP outreach function at the Lions Club.

Roll Call
Quorum was met.

Approve Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the prior meeting will be approved at the next meeting.

Comments from Program Owner
Program Owner Representative Jim Cesarano provided updates of appeals forms and stated new draft was forwarded to subject matters experts. Cesarano also shared Wage and Investments Insider article.

The Notice Improvement Office was merged into Media and Publication’s Distribution Division.  Distribution concentrates on the printing of correspondence, forms, and letters; as well as the distribution of forms and publications. It was stated this move will not affect organizational duties. 

Cesarano provided input of Forms Assessment Tools (FAT) and stated once the TAP had completed the FAT, it should arrange an opportunity for analysts to comment on the FAT before submitting it as a recommendation. DFO Ferree and Chavez mention FAT on TAPSpace is only a draft form.

Subcommittee Report and Updates

DAT- Team 2 (Form 886H-EIC)
Panel member Dave Jones completed 886H-EIC scores for the years 2005 and 2006. It was noted scores rated high and awaiting input from subcommittee.

DAT- Team 3 (Form 886H-HOH)
This issue will be revisited during next month teleconference meeting due to absent panel member Dave Meister.  

DPT- CP23, 24 & 25
Panel member Ed Uhrig had nothing to report. Analyst Chavez is currently working on project with Donica Barber and is awaiting her feedback. Chavez and Cesarano will contact Barber and provide information to all panel members.

DPT- Letters
Panel member Lee Stieger had nothing to report due to health issues with subcommittee members. Stieger will re-schedule subcommittee meeting and provide contributions to Chavez.

Stuffer Project
Panel member Chapman stated project currently stalled and waiting for feedback from Meister. Analyst Chavez provided Meister notice 501 and 502, but received no feedback. Chavez will contact Meister and provide information during next month teleconference meeting.

Direct Mail Marketing
Chuck Tice stated subcommittee changed name of this project. It was stated Direct Mail Marketing will now be labeled Targeted and Improved Communications.

Vision Impaired (TIGTA) Project
Panel member Mary Suther was not present for this meeting. Chavez and Chair will contact Suther of her availability and report information with all panel members during next month teleconference meeting.

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. This subcommittee will review current notes and share with all panel members.

DAT for Forms (FAT)
Chair Scott stated Forms Assessment Tools (FAT) currently available on TAPSpace. Scott requested all panel members to review and provide suggestions. Scott would like to submit draft form of FAT to Jim Cesarano if no suggestions or corrections made.

Program Owner Jim Cesarano requested all panel members to complete Form -886 HEITC and submit to Chavez.

Collection Due Process Form 12153
Panel member Tice stated Form 12153 completed and DAT Scored. Chavez currently submitted to proper personnel.

Panel member Chapman shared recent teleconference and Form-1040 issue concerning local post office. Chapman stated inappropriate for post office to provide taxpayers a website not related to Internal Revenue Service to obtain tax forms.

Chapman also shared IRS current budget for fiscal year 2007 has increased. It was stated this would benefit TAP administration.

Meeting Close
Chair Max Scott requested questions or comments; panel member Neil Mitchell anticipates scoring and grading DAT.

The Notices Issue committee meeting was adjourned.

Next meeting July 5, 2007 @ 1: 00 PM EST.