Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)
IRS Notice Improvement Issue Committee
Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2008 at 12:30PM EST

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

Members Present
Carolyn Adams-Dodds
Ben Chapman
Steve Fulkrod
Joe Hurr
David Jones
David Meister
Max Scott
Chuck Tice
Norma Woodard

Members Absent
Neil Mitchell
Howard Stahl
Lee Stieger
Edward Uhrig

Staff Present
Anita Fields, Secretary
Sallie Chavez, TAP Analyst
Donna Powers, TAP Jr. Analyst
Jim Cesarano, IRS Program Liaison
Sidney Gardner, IRS Program Owner
Ann Gelineau, IRS Program Owner

Guest(s) Present
No guests were present.

Welcome & Roll Call/Quorum
Chuck Tice opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. 

Approval of Meeting Minutes
Minutes were approved by consensus with the correction of Jim Cesarano, IRS

Comments from the Program Owner
Sidney stated that he will respond back to the group at a later date regarding the CD on direct marketing after he takes another look at it and have their research folks look at it.  The teleconference that was held last week with Howard Rasey and Barbara Powell from W & I on testing was a success.  There were two things that they felt the TAP could help with.  1) To serve as a roundtable or informal focus group in which they could bounce some things off them regarding some of the questions or test participants.  2) Looking at some of the scenarios that we will be providing the test participants and allowing the issue committee to comment on that.  We think that will make our product a little better and help us gather information to aide in us moving forward. Sidney Gardner stated that Kevlyn Painter the team leader for the insert project will be joining the next call to discuss the 13 Notices that the team received in Salt Lake City.  Sidney Gardner also mentioned that Sallie will have to do some leg work to see if it is permissible to allow former TAP members to participate in the testing project.

Jim Cesarano let the team know they should keep the TAP scoring of the penalty letters at a higher priority than the regular list.  Ben Chapman informed Jim that there will be a call this afternoon to reach consensus on the scoring.  The final scores will be sent to Sallie no later than Friday.

Jim discussed the SPOC review process.  He stated that it will come without any background information.  He mentioned that if it is possible to DAT score the product and get it back to the reviewer would be excellent.  The review time frame is very short; therefore it will not be as extensive as you are use to and we are not looking for anything formal for the reviewer and you will not receive anything back.  We may be able to send out an approved version of the letter to see if any of the comments were incorporated.  Nancy asked what will call the subcommittee.  Sidney suggested Notice Review.  It was agreed to call it Notice Review Subcommittee.  Jim mentioned that once the subcommittee is formed and have a meeting he would be interested in joining to get some insight on how you all will go about reviewing the letters.  Ben Chapman wanted to confirm that the subcommittee be formed after they receive the first letter.  Jim stated that there needed to be an organization meeting to sort out some of the logistics.  He re-iterated that this is only a pilot and he is the only reviewer at this time. 

Dave Meister submitted to Sallie on April 26, 2008 the subcommittee report on CP 12.  Sallie mentioned that Lee Stieger wanted the report placed in the format that was discussed at the Face-to-Face meeting.  She sent the document to Lee and is waiting for his approval before he gets back to the subcommittee.

Steve Fulkrod asked if there is a response on the three page recommendation that went to the Program Owners.  Jim Cesarano stated that Kelvyn has drafted a response memo for the 501, 503 and 504.  She will be on next month’s meeting.  Jim is hoping that the memo get approved and signed before the meeting so that he can get it out to the committee.

Combine forms & Testing Project
David Jones gave a review for those that are not familiar with the project.  The committee was asked to review a 40 page manual.  There was a lot of technical material in there. The opinions of the committee members were probably beyond their expertise.  They focused on what TAP could do for the process. Basically the memo that was sent stated that we were to provide the IRS with the assistance in the testing process and also to critique the testing process and may involve TAP in pre-testing or in pilot projects. 

Penalty Letters (DAT)
Ben Chapman said that there is a call schedule for 5:00 May 22, 2008 to go over consensus of the scores.  After the call we will send scores to Sallie.

Form 886-H HOH
Dave Meister stated that the 886H-HOH should be closed out no later than June 2, 2008.   

FAT Update
Max said that he has not received any comments for the draft FAT.  He is waiting to hear from the remainder of the committee before he can do anything on that.  Max stated that he would like to be on the call with Bob Erickson regarding the FAT being that he is the chair of the subcommittee.

Meeting Close
There was a new subcommittee called Notice Review was formed with Dave Meister, Chuck Tice, Carolyn Adams-Dodds, Joe Hurr and Ben Chapman.  Ben Chapman is the lead.  Dave Jones asked Sallie to send out a new subcommittee list.  Jim informed Sallie that he will not be available for any meetings next week.  Chuck thanked everyone for participating today and not to forget to complete the meeting survey.

Next Meeting is a teleconference on June 18, 2008 at 12:30pm EST.

*Certification:  These minutes were approved by the committee by consensus on June 18, 2008.