Download:
pdf |
pdfAddendum to Attachment A:
Taxpayer Confirmation and Follow-up
Documentation
OMB No. 1545-1349
[DATE]
Dear Mr./Ms. [NAME],
Thank you for agreeing to participate in our IRS website research study. Here are details to
remind you when and where to appear for your session. During the session, we will ask you
to help us explore and evaluate the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) portion of the
IRS.gov website. The session should take about an hour and a half.
To thank you for your time, we will give you $150 cash for your participation.
DATE:
[DATE]
TIME:
[TIME]
LOCATION: Westat—5th Floor Conference Center Room H
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(301) 251-1500
Directions and a map are enclosed.
Please plan to arrive a few minutes before the above time to check-in with our project staff.
Please allow enough time for travel as we want to begin on time. If you are coming by car,
we will have a parking space reserved for you in the Westat Conference Center parking lot.
If you have any questions, please call me at the office toll-free at 1-800-937-8281, extension
2651, or on my cell phone at 240-620-1315 (this is a toll call if made from outside the DC
area). If something comes up and you cannot arrive at the appointed time, it is essential that
you call and let us know. It is important that we speak to all the people we’ve arranged
sessions with. Your impressions and opinions are central to the study!
We look forward to seeing you and thank you in advance for your feedback.
Sincerely,
Debra Stark
Study Recruiting Manager
OMB No. 1545-1349
IRS Task Order 11—Taxpayer Telephone Reminder Script
Hello, is this [Name]?
This is [NAME] from Westat, calling to remind you about the IRS website session
you agreed to participate in.
Your session will be held tomorrow, [DATE] on the 5th floor of Westat’s Conference
Center, 1600 Research Boulevard, Room 5H, Rockville, Maryland.
If you need additional directions to the facility, or find that you will not be able to
attend, please call Martha Popovic at 240.314.5897.
If you have any other questions, or want to know more about this study, please feel
free to contact Debra Stark during the workday at 240.453.261 (a toll call) or toll-free
at 1.800 WESTAT 1 ext. 2651 (1.800.937.8281 ext. 2651). At other times, you may
call her cell—240.620.1315.
We hope you will enjoy the session--please plan to arrive a few minutes early for
check-in. If you are arriving by car, there will be a space marked “IRS Study” in the
Conference Center parking lot. There will be a cash thank-you ($150) for your
feedback.
Thank you.
[NOTE: Recruiters will refer to the FAQs on the next page as needed during this
reminder call.]
OMB No. 1545-1349
IRS TO 11 Taxpayer Recruit
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Questions
What is the purpose of this study? What is this survey about?
The IRS is conducting this study to learn what it’s like for taxpayers when
they try to search for information on the IRS.gov website about the Earned
Income Tax Credit. [If needed: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) may
reduce federal taxes on earned wages for working families and low income
individuals.] We would like to know if you are still interested in helping us
test the IRS website and giving your feedback about how you think it works.
Who do you work for?
I work for Westat, a survey research firm in the Washington, DC area, and
we have been contracted by the IRS to conduct this study.
How will the study results be used? / What will you do with this
information?
The IRS will use the study results to help improve the IRS website, so more
people can find information about this tax refund program.
Will results be made available? / May I know the results of the survey?
The results will be available some months from now. We will see if the IRS
will be able to mail you a copy of the results. [COLLECT NAME & ADDRESS,
FILL OUT PROBLEM SHEET.]
12-17-08
1
OMB No. 1545-1349
FAQS for taxpayers
Privacy
How do I know you will keep this information private? / How will the
results be published?
We are required by law not to reveal any identifying information other than
to persons directly involved with the study. No information that would
permit the identification of any individual will be released or published.
Furthermore, Westat will not give any identifying information about you to
the IRS.
Will doing/not doing this study affect my taxes?
Because this study is not mandatory, your participation or non-participation
will not affect your taxes or your tax status. However, you represent a lot
of other people in situations similar to yours. Your participation is important
because you are actually speaking for them, as well as yourself.
Refusals
Do I have to do this? / Do I have to attend the session? / I don’t want
to do this.
It is not mandatory that you participate, but your input and opinions are very
important to the success of this study. You represent a lot of other people
in situations similar to yours, and you are speaking for them, as well as
yourself.
I think this whole business is stupid. The federal government could
better spend this money.
[INTERVIEWERS: Occasionally you will encounter argumentative
respondents. In spite of their seemingly hostile questions, they tend to be
interested in the study, but want to explain their feelings before consenting
to participate. Hear them out! As long as they keep talking, they have not
refused to participate. Do not argue. Simply make short, neutral comments
to let them know you are listening.]
12-17-08
2
OMB No. 1545-1349
FAQS for taxpayers
How long will this take? I'm too busy.
You should allow an hour and a half for the session.
Take me off your list. You cannot call me according to the “No Call”
law.
I’m not trying to sell you anything. I understand that you might think I work
for a telemarketing company, however, survey research telephone calls are
not prohibited or regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Our
aim is to encourage you to participate in our study, not to sell you anything.
The information you provide will be used exclusively for research purposes.
I need more information about the study before I'll participate or any
questions. Send me something in writing.
The study is for taxpayers who might use the IRS website to search for
information that tells them what EITC is and how to determine whether
they might be eligible to claim it on their tax return. All of your answers will
be kept private and participation is voluntary.
[IF RESPONDENT INSISTS ON SOMETHING IN WRITING]: We will
send you a letter which will explain the purpose of this study. May I verify
your name and address? Please allow one week for this letter to arrive. We
will need to re-schedule your session.
Selection of Respondents
How did you get my name? / How did you get my address? / How did
you get my phone number?
Your name was picked at random from a list of people in the Washington, DC
area who may have filed for the EITC or may have been eligible to file in
previous years.
12-17-08
3
OMB No. 1545-1349
FAQS for taxpayers
Why don’t you call someone else?
Your name was picked at random from a list of people in the Washington, DC
area who filed for the EITC or might have been eligible to file in previous
years. Please take a few moments to consider attending the session.
Legitimacy of the Survey
What is the authority/sponsor for this study?
The IRS has contracted with Westat to collect this information and answer
any questions you might have.
Who can I call at the IRS to verify this study?
You may contact Mary O’Brien in the Earned Income Tax Credit Office at
the IRS. She can be reached by email at Mary.J.O’[email protected] or by
phone at 202/622-9609. This is not a toll-free call.
How do I know the survey is legitimate? / How can I make sure this is
really a survey?
If you wish, you can call the recruiting manager at 1-800937-8281 ext 2651.
This is a toll-free call.
Does this survey have approval from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB)? / What is the OMB number?
Yes, the OMB number is 1545-1349.
12-17-08
4
OMB No. 1545-1349
FAQS for taxpayers
Study Content
What is the Earned Income Tax Credit?
The Earned Income Tax Credit, also known as the EITC or EIC, is a tax
credit for certain people who work and have earned income below roughly
$42,000. If you qualify for the credit, it can reduce the amount of tax you
owe or increase the size of your tax refund.
What kinds of questions will you ask me?
You are invited to participate in this session because you are a taxpayer who
might look for information about the Earned Income Credit [EIC] on the
Internet. We are having people come to out Rockville, Maryland office to
work with the website. I think you'll find the session interesting.
Can you help me with a problem I'm having with my taxes?
Westat has been hired by the IRS specifically to conduct this study. We
cannot represent the IRS in any other matters. I can give you a telephone
number at the IRS that you can call for assistance with your problem or to
find out more information. You can call the IRS toll free at 1-800-8296088.
12-17-08
5
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Addendum to Attachment A: |
| Author | Teresa Koenig |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 0000-00-00 |