Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

EITC Issue Committee Proposal
Rousseau asked the participants for their comments on the proposal referred to us by the EITC Issue Committee. The proposal was referred to our Program Owner for her consideration and comments. Criel indicated that the proposal is very good but she is having a hard time understanding the language while Davidson feels it is out of our scope. Rousseau indicated that he has no problem in reviewing another committee’s proposal but suggested that if the topic of the referred proposal is not within our immediate scope (or an assigned topic), we should not spend much time on it.

Mosler finds this proposal is confusing. Criel volunteered to work on the proposal’s topic if the Program Owner deems it to be appropriate for our Committee.

VITA Survey
Rousseau asked that each of our members remind their respective Area Committee colleagues to complete the VITA surveys. Rousseau suggested inviting former TAP members to complete the Survey, too. Knispel will share it with former members.

The purpose of the Survey is to collect suggestions for our subcommittees which will formulate proposals on these suggestions.

Subcommittee Report-Out
Rousseau asked Subcommittee chairs to send a reminder of their meetings in advance.

Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint (TAB) – Collaboration Strategy
This subcommittee is awaiting the Survey’s responses to continue their work.

Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint (TAB) – Broader Offering of Services
Criel discussed the Subcommittee’s EXIT Survey that was distributed with the Agenda. This Survey will be given to people visiting VITA Sites and the responses to the Survey will help the VITA counselor (preparer) identify and counsel them on potential life changes that could affect their next year’s tax return.

Knispel asked Criel to write a cover letter to send to the Program Owner with the proposal.

2007 VITA Recommendations
Colvin indicated that Nan Ellen Fuller requested an extension until the end of the August to respond to the Committee’s 2007 recommendations. She added that Fuller had sent her a copy of a flyer that will be used to publicize VITA. Knispel will share this flyer with everyone and asked that comments and recommendations on it be sent to Colvin and to her. This is an opportunity for the Committee to provide input on the design and content of the publicity flyer.

Knispel informed members that Bryant and Hutchinson will participate in the Tax Wise Beta Testing on October 21, 2008 in Rome, GA. Rousseau asked these two members to report on the Project so that we can account for the Committee’s participation in the Committee’s Annual Report.

Mosler informed members that he met with new Commissioner Schulman and NTA Olson when he discussed the publicizing of the VITA and Free File Programs. He indicated to them that many low and moderate income taxpayers are using paid preparers because they are not aware of these free opportunities. The Commissioner seemed interested and urged our Committee to continue to work on this issue.

Public Participation
n/a

Closing
Rousseau thanked all participants.