Bond Michelle D From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Vickie Hull Saturday, July 21, 2018 9:29 AM Corbin Kenneth C Lemons Terry L; Evans Liz E; Steve Ryan; David Ransom; Vickie Hull Fwd: FW: Free File Follow Up. approve please and send or more likely we send. Ken, Thank you for your update concerning the role of Mr. Ventry in this matter. We are disappointed that Mr. Ventry has not chosen to, or not been asked to resign, which would seem more appropriate given his three articles. The second article in particular demonstrates the real goal of Mr. Ventry and his colleagues is to create an IRS Ready Return program, and demonstrates that the proponents of Ready Return seek to discredit the value of the Free File program in order to create a ‘need’ for Ready Return. The article also seeks to inflame partisan politics in Congress against IRS. Mr. Ventry has also been seeking Congressional staff and Member visits on this trip. It is black letter law that it is illegal for U.S. government funds to be used to lobby. I believe IRS may have a duty to prohibit reimbursement of Mr. Ventry’s travel expenses if his trip includes any such lobbying visits. I am pleased pleased to accept IRS’s invitation to attend and present on Wednesday. I will need AV equipment to project slides for the presentation. Also, an incorrect email was used for me (hugo@capnet.org). Please use this email for further communication. Regards, Tim From: Corbin Kenneth C [mailto:Kenneth.C.Corbin@irs.gov] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2018 10:58 AM To: Ryan, Stephen; Hugo@capnet.org Cc: Lemons Terry L; Evans Liz E Subject: Free File Follow Up 1 Good morning Tim and Steve, As you are aware, there have been some opinion articles published recently by the IRSAC chair, Dennis Ventry. These opinion pieces about the Free File program reflected what we believe is Mr. Ventry’s opinion and not that of the IRSAC, which is preparing recommendations to IRS on ways to improve the Free File program in the future. The IRSAC has a regularly scheduled working group session in Washington D.C. next week. While the IRSAC has had the opportunity to engage with the IRS about the Free File program in prior working sessions, we believe it would be beneficial for them to hear from you. We would like to invite you to attend the session on Wednesday, July 25 at 11:15 for one hour at our 1111 office, in the Commissioner’s Conference room #3313. This is a chance for you to provide industry information about Free File that the working group can consider as it contemplates program improvement opportunities. Also, the Commissioner has met directly with Mr. Ventry. The Commissioner explained the importance and role of the IRSAC chair position and the importance it plays in providing advice to the IRS, helping ensure the group has a shared and cohesive recommendation from all the participants. It was agreed to update The Hill article to remove the reference to the IRSAC (Mr. Ventry had taken this step prior to the meeting with the Commissioner) and not include that reference in any future articles (Mr. Ventry also took this step). Finally, the IRSAC Co-Chair – not Mr. Ventry -- will lead the future discussions and recommendations for topics related to Free-File. Mr. Ventry will recuse himself from participating or contributing to the topic of Free File. Please let me know if you will be able to attend. Your contact for the meeting on the 25th will be John Lipold. He can be reached that day via his cell (b) (6) . Internal Revenue Service Office Number (470) 639-3500 Fax Number 855-863-8342 ******************************************************************************************************************* This message is a PRIVATE communication. This message and all attachments are a private communication sent by a law firm and may be confidential or protected by privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the information contained in or attached to this message is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender of the delivery error by replying to this message, and then delete it from your system. Our Privacy Policy explains how we may use your personal information or data and any personal information or data provided or made available to us. Thank you. ******************************************************************************************************************* Please visit http://www.mwe.com/ for more information about our Firm. 2