History of the Memphis Service Center : yesterday, today, and tomorrow, 1972-1992

80 Pages·1992·4.2 MB·English

by  Davis, Shelley L

$&

AS,
K t
J-fistory
ofthe
^Memphis
Service Qenter
YESTERDAY, TODAYAND TOMORROW
LIBRARY 1972-1992
ROOM
5030
APR 09
1996 ByShelley L. Davis
TREASURY
DEPARTMENT
IRS
HISTORICAL
STUDIES
Published as pun ofacontinuingseriesofhistorical studies to preserveand disseminate the
history ofthe Internal RevenueService m\^\ tax administration in the United States.
1)epartment oftheTreasury
Internal Revenue Service

Qontents
5 Foreword
7 Acknowledgments
9 A Service CenterComes
to Memphis
17 The Memphis Service Center
Opens Its Doors, 1972-1975
31 Years ofGrowth,
1976-1979
39 Preparing for the Future,
1980-1984
49 CopingWith the Service Center
Replacement System
57 A Return to Normalcy, 1986-1989
67 A Future ofChange, The 1990s
and Beyond
73 Appendix: Directors ofthe
Memphis Service Center
74 Index

The Memphis Service Center has
been an integral part ofthe Memphis
community and a significant part of
the IRS taxadministration organi-
zation for20years.
The first processingoftax returns
began onJanuary- 3, 1972 with a staff
of558 employees. Since that begin-
ning, manychanges have occurred
and the pace ofchange continues to
accelerate. In the firstyearofoper-
ation, the Memphis Service Center
pro-cessed almost six million returns
from three statesand added the
processing ofbusiness returns in
July 1972. Today the Center DirectorRichardMarshreviewsadraftcopyofthe
processes 18 million returns from MemphisServiceCenterhistorywithJeanette
six states. Ruddellic-hohasservedassecretarytoeachofthe
When the Memphis Service fourdirectorsoftheCentermrrthepast20years.
Center began operating it quickly
established a well deserved
reputation as an effective center
and continues to live up to that
reputation. Now this proud
reputation is upheld by 4,500
dedicated seasonal and permanent
employees who continue to produce
a quality product.
Over the years, the Memphis
Service Center has been a pioneer
for the IRS. In 1984 and 1985 we
piloted the replacement ofsen ice
center computer equipment and we
were a leader in surviving the 1985
filing season. Employee Plan
Processing moved to Memphis in
1989 and the national responsibility
for those handbooks was transferred
here in 1991.
In 1992, Electronic Filing
expanded to Memphis and we are
the pilot for the Integrated
Collection System computer
We
operation. are also the pilot for
Tax System Modernization
projects that relate to increasing
file access such as on-line entity
data and returns transaction data.
There have been many changes
and the future will hold even more
dramatic change.
As we celebrate our 20th
anniversary, we stand on the
threshold ofa new era, with plans
underway for a new facility slated to
open in 1994. We look forward to
continued growth and excellence.
Employees ofMemphis Service
Center can be proud oftheir
organization, theirexpertise, and
theircontribution to the overall
success ofthe Internal Revenue
Service mission.
Richard Marsh
Director,
Memphis Service Centei
^Acknowledgments
This history ofthe Memphis Service To compile this history I was able
Center is the first in the IRS to speak with each ofthe four direc-
Historical Studies series to docu- tors and several assistant directors.
ment the activities ofa service cen- Many thanks are due to Claude
ter. This is an important record as Kyle, James Hallman, Ray Keenan,
the IRS History and Archival and Dick Marsh for their detailed
Services Program begins to trace the and candid remarks about their
evolution ofautomated tax process- experiences at the helm ofthe
ingefforts over the past several Memphis Service Center. Hank
decades. In fact, it was the 20th Philcox offered many insights into
anniversary ofthe Memphis Service his experiences at Memphis as well
Center that inspired the idea to as a perspective on the future from
prepare this history. his current position ofChief
Because the history ofthe Information Officer for the IRS.
Memphis Service Center encom- Additional thanks are due to the
passes just over 20 years, many of followingemployees who discussed
the original employees ofthe theirexperiences at the Center with
Center are still hard at work pro- me: Lois Armstrong, Juanelle Briggs,
cessing tax returns through the Anna DeRosa, Pat Donnelly, Mark
pipeline. The recollections and Dorfman, Evelyn Eason, Barbara
observations ofthese employees Fant, Dorothy Hall, Judy Harper,
were ofinestimable value in Tom Harthun, Janet Hayes, Bob
preparing this history. Holton, Linda Jordan, Gloria
Special thanks are due to several Lanoux, Lynda Lyons, Jean Massey,
key individuals at the Memphis Buddie McGlaun, Thelma Mcllvain,
Service Center who helped turn the Gail McKinney, Christean Outlaw.
idea to write a history into this docu- Brenda Palm, Darrell Riffe, Paul
ment. Public Affairs OfficerJeanne Sandell, Helen Sharp, George
Palmerwas the first to contact this Taylor, Lupe Thrash, Dottie Walsh,
office with a request for assistance in Donna Wess, Susan Wilkinson, and
preparing this history. After receiv- Bobbie Wilson.
ing the endorsement ofService
Center Director Richard Marsh and ^
Assistant DirectorJohn Stocker,
work began in earnest. Secretary to
the DirectorJeanettc Ruddell was of Shelley L. Davis
vast assistance in locating docu- IRS Historian
ments, photos, and setting up inter-
views with employees ofthe ("enter.