Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC)
Issue Committee
Teleconference Minutes
July 22, 2008

Program Owner
Michelle Jones, TAC Analyst
Peggy Sue Unander, TAC Supervisory Analyst

Members Present
Craig Capehart
Dan Fretheim
Bob Haines
Louise McAulay
Jerry Melchior
David Monnier
Ann Spiotto
Tommy Thompson
Wayne Whitehead, Chair

Members Absent
Dean Conder
Ed Johnson
Homer Sewell III

Guests
Malene Tolbert
Bob Fett, Vermont Local Taxpayer Advocate

Staff
Judi L Nicholas, TAP Program Manager
Dave Coffman, TAP Program Analyst
Nina Pang, TAP Program Analyst
Marla Ofilas, TAP Secretary

Opening
Wayne opened the meeting.  Roll call was completed and a quorum was present. 

Minutes Approval
The committee had an opportunity to review the minutes from the May 29 – 31, 2008 and June 24, 2008 meetings.
DECISION: The committee approved the May 29 – 31, 2008 and June 24, 2008 minutes with no additional changes.

Subcommittee Reports
The Appointment Process, Tax Return Preparation, and Customer Screening subcommittees provided a brief update on their current activities.  Each subcommittee submitted a draft of their recommendations and rationales to Dave Coffman.  Shortly thereafter, all recommendations and rationales were included in a working mock-up report for all members to review.   

Next Actions
Each member will review the mock-up and provide their comments and recommended changes to Dave Coffman.  Wayne reminded the committee to courtesy copy him on all e-mails.  Wayne hopes to have the report finalized by October and sent for printing in November.

Program Owner Comments
Peggy Sue thanked the subcommittees for their work.  She is excited to see the final product.  Peggy Sue announced that Field Assistance Director, Beth Tucker, has left Field Assistance to work directly for IRS Commissioner Shulman.  She is no longer the committee’s program owner.  The IRS has not announced a new director.         

Member Comments
Wayne provided a short report on some recent activities of the Joint Committee.  Wayne stated that the Joint Committee decided to allow new and returning members to run for committee chair positions.  Any members interested in a chair position should be prepared to stay an additional night in Washington DC, following the TAP annual business meeting.  Chair training will take place immediately after the annual business meeting. 

Wayne also noted that returning members will have an opportunity to select and serve on an issue committee of their choice in 2009.      

Wayne suggested that the committee consider cancelling the November committee meeting. 
DECISION: In October, the committee will decide whether a November conference call is needed.

Closing
Wayne thanked everyone for their participation.  Judi closed the meeting.