January 29, 2008

REGION 5 ETA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LETTER 002-08

TO:      State Workforce System Administrators      

FROM:   Nicholas Lammers
             Nicholas Lammers
             Acting Regional Administrator

SUBJECT:  Quad-Annual Federal/State Tax Performance System (TPS) Review

1.  Purpose. To advise States of the schedule for the 2008 TPS Federal/State Team Reviews.

2.  References. None.

3.  Links.  This Letter is in the Region 5 website archive at: http://www.doleta.gov/regions/reg05/pages/LibraryIssuances.cfm.

4.  Background. TPS Coordinators/Reviewers conduct reviews of their States' tax functions annually.  Additionally, each year, State TPS reviewers are required to participate with Federal and TPS staff from other States as a team, to review a sample of TPS Acceptance Sample cases in three Region 5 States.  The objective of the Federal/State Team Review is to validate the original findings of the TPS reviewer. 

5.  Schedule. Funds have been designated for travel for TPS reviewers, which will enable all State TPS staff to participate in the Team Reviews.  All State reviewers’ travel expenses will be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Team Reviews will be conducted during one week in each State under review. The first 2008 Team Review will be conducted in Lincoln, NE during the week of May 5, 2008.  The second 2008 Team Review will be conducted in Chicago, IL during the week of July 14, 2008.  The final 2008 Team Review will be conducted in Detroit, MI during the week of August 18, 2008. 

The Attachment to this Letter is the review schedule that will apply in all States during the 2008 Federal/State TPS review.  The Team members should arrive in the city where the review will take place on the Monday of the week for the review.

6.  Team Review.  The TPS Coordinator/Reviewer of the host State will be responsible for coordinating the availability of the appropriate State Tax staff responsible for the functions being reviewed.  The Federal/State Team will review seven passing cases from the Acceptance Samples for each Tax function as well as all failing cases to determine the adequacy of the required documentation.  The Team members will present their findings to the State Agency Tax Chief and interested State staff at the end of the visit.

7. Hotel Accommodations.  A block of rooms has been secured for team members at the hotels listed below.  The block is listed under the US Department of Labor.  Each team member should call to reserve his/her room:

The Cornhusker, a Marriott Hotel
333 South 13^th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
866.706.7706

For the nights of May 5-8, 2008 the rate is $60.00 per night, plus 12.0 percent tax.  Parking is $6.00 per day.  The Cornhusker provides a complimentary Airport Shuttle.  The cut-off date for this room block is April 14, 2008. Please visit The Cornhusker hotel website for information on hotel amenities.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown
40 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.644.2222

For the nights of July 14-17, 2008 the rate is $199.00 per night, plus 15.4 percent tax.  Parking is $38.00 per day.  The cut-off date for this room block is June 18, 2008. Please visit the Homewood Suites hotel website to make hotel arrangements.

Omni Detroit Hotel River Place
1000 River Place Drive
Detroit, Michigan 48207
800.THE.OMNI (800.843.6664)

For the nights of August 18-21, 2008 the rate is $105.00 per night, plus 12.0 percent tax.  Parking is $18.00 per day.  The cut-off date for this room block is July 19, 2008. Please visit the Omni hotel website for information on hotel amenities.

8.  Action. State Workforce System Administrators are requested to share this Letter with UI Directors, Tax (Revenue) Managers & Tax Performance System (TPS) Coordinators/Reviewers. TPS staff should obtain out-of-State travel authorization from their State Agency in order to participate on the team.

9.  Contact.  Comments or questions concerning the 2008 TPS Review may be directed to Sandy Diaz on 312.596.5443. Comments or questions about the format of this Letter may be directed to Tom Coyne on 312.596.5435.

10.  Expiration Date. May 5, 2008.

11.  Attachment.  2008 TPS Review Schedule.

Attachment

2008 TPS Review Schedule