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CITIZEN ADVOCACY PANEL (CAP) New York Metro Meeting Minutes Date: March 2, 2001 Time: 6:10-9:35 PM Location: 10 MetroTech Center, 625 Fulton Street, 6th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 Panel Members Attending
IRS Staff Attending:
Absentees:
Guests:
Public Attendees: None Opening of the Meeting Vice-Chairperson Maher opened the meeting at 6:10 PM and welcomed Brenda Luke, ITIN Coordinator for Customer Service, and Marisa Knispel, representing the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Presentation on the ITIN Program Ms. Luke and Ms. Knispel gave a presentation to the Panel, explaining the ITIN program and the outreach efforts being taken by the local office. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a temporary identification number issued by the IRS to an individual who does not have a Social Security Number to use for filing a tax return. Since many affected individuals in the area are not aware of this requirement, the local office is committed to outreach efforts in order to educate the community. Educational materials are distributed to churches and local community groups that have a large population of affected individuals. Presentations are also given at these sites. All customer service representatives have been trained in order to service those taxpayers needing assistance. The Taxpayer Advocate Office is also involved in the program. Ms. Luke requested that the Panel lend its support to the ITIN outreach activities. Chairperson Maher suggested that when a final report is made of these activities for this filing season, Ms. Luke share it with the Panel. The Panel can then look at endorsing the continuance and expansion of these activities. Review of February 9, 2001 Minutes The panel reviewed the February 9, 2001 minutes and accepted the minutes with amendments. 1040A Proposal Panel member Kahn reviewed his proposal to eliminate the Form 1040A. The proposal is attached and is an integral part of these minutes. The IRS currently offers three forms for individual filing: the 1040; 1040A; and the 1040EZ. The reasons offered for the elimination of the 1040A are simplification for the taxpayer and the tax-practitioner, and cost savings for the IRS. Panel member Kahn notes that all required line items appearing on the 1040A are on the 1040 with only a few additional line items on the Form 1040. The Panel members discussed the proposal and considered amending the Form 1040 to color code those items on the 1040A as an alternative to elimination. Panel member Mihovich stated that by using the 1040A, many taxpayers might not take advantage of additional credits and deductions they may be entitled to. Panel member Greenberg stated that the 1040A is used by many taxpayers and its elimination will serve to add to taxpayer burden and eliminate a useful alternative offered by the IRS. Panel member Aiken noted that the Panel has not received any complaints regarding the 1040A and its elimination has not been asked for by any taxpayer or group. Chairperson Maher called for a vote on the proposal and it was defeated by a vote of 5 to 4. Child Care Credit Endorsement Panel member Greenberg requested the topic be tabled until the next meeting. She is working with CAP analyst Hecht to prepare a new letter to the members of the House Committee on Ways and Means, clarifying the Panel's prior endorsement of H.R 206 (Child Care Tax Credit Reform Act of 2001). Marketing Committee Report Chairperson Maher presented the outreach plans for the upcoming year: The same flyer used for the Flushing meeting will be used for the upcoming Manhattan meeting and the staff will send out to local churches, community groups, and other targeted groups, with an emphasis on the Manhattan area. The next Town Hall meeting will be planned for Staten Island followed by one in the Bronx. Panel member Mihovich stated that efforts should be made to televise meetings as was done for the Brooklyn Town Hall Meeting. The Speak Up Campaign materials will be used once they are received (Acting DFO Cain expects the materials to be available next month). Self-mailers will be utilized again with a focus on the tax-practitioner community. Panel member Mihovich questioned the usefulness of the self-mailers considering that the panel only received 20 responses for the 2,000 sent out. Attendance at local events such as Brooklyn Day will be planned. Panel member Mihovich stated that the Committee should prepare a written plan with stated goals and objectives. Kiosk Update Acting DFO Cain reported that the Wage and Investment Division is making the Kiosk vendor problem a priority but that the reasons for the lack of payment to the vendor have not yet been ascertained and resolved. Recruitment Update Acting DFO Cain reported that Booz Allen has to date received nine applications from the NY area with six of those applications from individuals who applied during the first recruitment. The NY Daily News ad was run in two editions. Panel member Cintrón advised that she has been in contact with the editor of the newspaper, Noticias Del Mundo and they have agreed to publish a PSI. She will prepare the PSI and send to the editor. Video Project Update Vice-Chair Fandozzi reported that the National Office is working on the project and is currently seeking funding for its production. Panel member Richards, a schoolteacher, reported that she recently received an essay from her student that included a reference to a taxpayer experience with the IRS. The person she was writing about had temporarily lost her business because of taxes owed to the IRS. Panel member Richards noted that this shows that the perception of the IRS can begin at a very early stage in life. The essay is attached and is an integral part of these minutes. New Proposal-Teletin Numbers Panel member Richards reported that the Small Business Committee is aware of the backlog at the Brookhaven Service Center in processing requests for new Employer Identification Numbers within the four day timeframe. Joyce Marto, Chief Taxpayer Relations Branch, advises that additional staff has been assigned and the problem should be resolved shortly. The committee has also received a proposal from Panel member Richards regarding the assignment of Employer Identification Numbers by the State. Chairperson Maher requested the members to review the proposal for consideration at the next meeting. New Business Panel member Cintrón stated that the Panel's brochure needs to be revised and all literature needs to replace Brooklyn CAP with New York Metro CAP. Panel member Mihovich volunteered to work on a new pamphlet. Chairperson Maher advised that the IRS is holding the Nationwide Tax Forum and Exhibitions at several cities this year. He would like a CAP presence at these meetings and requested the members to review the scheduled dates for dates that they could attend. Adjournment Panel member Kahn made a motion to adjourn and Panel member Cintrón seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and complete. Edward Maher, Chairperson New York Metro Citizen Advocacy Panel |