State and Federal Tax Law Changes Grassroots Mobilize for
Transcription
State and Federal Tax Law Changes Grassroots Mobilize for
Volume XXXV Number 5 December 2010 Annual Meeting and Super Seminar Highlights State and Federal Tax Law Changes Grassroots Mobilize for Advocacy July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 1 BY REDGEAR TECHNOLOGIES Your toughest tax returns just got easier... O N B OT H YO U A N D YO U R WA L L E T HAVE YOU FINALLY REACHED YOUR LIMIT? BEFORE YOU RENEW...LOOK AT TAXWORKS Tired of your overpriced software generating letters from the Give TAXWORKS a test drive before you renew. Easy-to-use IRS to your clients? Maybe it’s time to look into TAXWORKS®, features save you time, our prices will save you $1,000s. A few a full-feature tax preparation software. 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Give Us a Call: 800.230.2322 VISIT OUR BOOTH AT YOUR LOCAL STATE CPA SEMINAR 2 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent ASK HOW YOU CAN SAVE UP TO 35% ON NEW DESKTOP OR LAPTOP COMPUTERS WHEN YOU PURCHASE TAXWORKS. California Enrolled Agent TABLE of CONTENTS July/August 2011 • VOLUME XXXV • NUMBER 1 The Society President’s Message......................................3-4 EVP Perspectives................................................5 Legislative President’s Message State Budget Includes Controversial Tax Law Changes ..........................................6-7 Grassroots Mobilize for Advocacy...............8 Federal Tax Law Changes.......................10-11 I stand here today on the shoulders of those who came before me with my vision fixed on the future and with gratitude to our past. Because of the dedication and effort of those who served before me, the future of the California Association of Enrolled Agents is bright. The torch I now carry is the shining light for the world to see our profession, professionals, and organization. Features We are witnessing a passing of a torch similar to when the Olympic torch is passed from athlete to athlete until it reaches the host nation for each opening of the games. The newly elected Directors and Officers of CSEA have also reached out their hands and accepted the symbolic torch from those who served before them. The torch is now in our hands. We have become the torchbearers for CSEA. CSEA 2012-2013 Call for Candidates ................................................ 23 Techniques to Promote EA Recognition................................................ 24 Exceptional Contributions Recognized at Awards Ceremony . .......... 25 Valuable New Member Benefits Unveiled......................................26-27 New Members.................................................. 28 Education Foundation Auction................. 28 Member Classifieds........................................ 29 Election to Aggregate Rental Real Estate......................................................... 13 If You Were the Judge.................................... 13 A Super Thank You...........................................15 Super Seminar Pictorial..........................16-17 Many Winners at CSEA’s 35th Annual Meeting..............................18-19 Annual Meeting Pictorial....................... 20-21 Members We all know the power and significance of numbers. As tax professionals, we work with them every day. Last month during our Annual Meeting General Session, we talked about a number that is very important to CSEA, and that number is 4,222. This represents some 3,000 EAs who are CSEA Members and some 1,222 others who are Associates, Affiliates and staff. I’d like to mention another number: 7,000. This is the number of Enrolled Agents in California who are not CSEA Members. I feel that it is our responsibility as torchbearers to reach out our hands to these 7,000 individuals. Education 2011-2012 CSEA Events Calendar................8 Federal Representation Workshop........... 12 Tax Practice Management Workshop...... 14 digiTAX................................................................ 30 continued on p. 4 EDITOR’S NOTE: Beginning with the January/February 2011 edition, the California Enrolled Agent adopted a new publication schedule. Readers can expect to receive six issues per year in the following months: February, April, June, August, October and December. California Enrolled Agent will continue to provide readers with important news and information impacting the tax industry and their professional Society. Editorial staff will continue to provide the high standard of service readers have come to expect from California Enrolled Agent since 1978. California Enrolled Agent (ISSN 1086-5012) is published bi-monthly for $9.00 per year (included in membership dues) by the California Society of Enrolled Agents, Inc. Offices are located at 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, California 95827-2513. Periodical Postage Rates Paid at Sacramento, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to California Enrolled Agent, 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, CA 95827-2513. 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, CA 95827-2513 Telephone: 916/366-6646, Fax: 916/366-6674 Toll Free: 800/777-2732 Email: [email protected], Website: www.csea.org Subscription rate: $75.00 per year Your comments and suggestions are invited. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Contents ©2011 all rights reserved. Reproduction rights granted with credit, on condition that tear sheets of usage are sent to the above address with the exception of those items listing specific copyright information. We SpEAk Tax, Super Seminar, C-STAR and The Tax Boat are registered service marks of the California Society of Enrolled Agents. Unauthorized use forbidden. Contributions to the EA Promotion or Major Media Marketing funds (as may be referenced herein) are not deductible as charitable contributions but may be deductible as business expenses. Contributions to the CSEA Legislative Action or Political Action funds are not deductible. Contributions to the CSEA Education Foundation are deductible as charitable contributions. Editor/Publisher Scarlett D. Vanyi, CAE Managing Editor Jana Perinchief Contributing Editor Cary M. Steward California Enrolled Agent is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. (Adapted from a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a committee of the ABA and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.) While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented herein, the California Society of Enrolled Agents and its staff do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations. Statements of fact and opinion as made are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the Officers or Members of the California Society of Enrolled Agents. CSEA is an Affiliate of the National Association of Enrolled Agents. Magazine Layout Kate Cook Design July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 3 The Society continued from p. 3 Some years ago we set a goal that 90 percent of all Enrolled Agents in California would become Members of CSEA. We aren’t there yet; we aren’t even close. Is this number attainable? I believe that it is and that this is the torch that we must carry, the goal we must attain. There are other numbers that are important to our future, and here are a few: there are 112 community colleges and 23 state universities in California that educate the tax professionals of the future. We must carry our torch, our message, to these institutions to ensure that they educate future Enrolled Agents. There are currently about 43,000 California Registered Tax Preparers (CRTPs). Our message to them must be to join CSEA. We must offer our helping hand to those who want to obtain an Enrolled Agent license. These are just a few of the opportunities that lie ahead of us this year. Are we ready to meet these challenges, seize these opportunities and carry this torch? I know that we are. I would like to conclude with a few words from the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, and Fortius. These three Latin words translate to swifter, higher, and stronger. They are the goals of great athletes, and I feel they are also the goals of this great organization. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of achieving these goals. And I want to offer 4,222 thank yous - one for every Member, Associate, Affiliate and staff person of our great organization. I want to offer a very special thank you to the Nominating Committee as I am sure that without their blessing, neither I nor the other Officers elected last month would be standing here now prepared to accept the responsibilities of our positions. And finally I want to thank these same newly elected Officers for putting aside their personal ambitions to concentrate their time and efforts toward the benefit of CSEA and the remaining 4,222. I know that I speak for all of them when I say that we are excited and committed to carrying forward with the good work that has been done by all of those individuals who served in the past and that we accept the torch that has been passed from their hands to ours. From all of us, thank you 4,222 times! 4 Jean Nelsen, EA, CSEA President July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent PAID ADVERTISEMENT The Society EVP Perspectives An Attitude of Gratitude By Scarlett D. Vanyi, CAE A s summer comes to a close and several key Society events now appear in the rear view mirror, as your EVP, I find myself reflecting on the Society’s accomplishments over the past few months with a sense of completion, pride and relief, but even more than any of these, with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The rigors of the last few months included two Super Seminars, two sets of board and committee meetings and the Society’s Annual Meeting, all within a seven-week timeframe. Anyone who has attended or participated in these events can attest that each is a major production, each plays an extremely important role for the Society and each requires masterful teamwork among Members and staff to be successful. And successful they were! Super Seminars boasted strong attendance at each location, received positive evaluations as the premier educational forum for tax professionals, saw the launch of new badge scanning technology and featured IRS Office of Professional Responsibility Director Karen Hawkins as a keynote speaker. Not only were Super Seminars a success programmatically, but as the Society’s primary revenue source, they also significantly boosted the bottom line, which is certainly something to celebrate in a challenging economy. Staff and Members worked tirelessly to plan logistics, assemble materials for attendees, greet participants at registration, scan them into classes, introduce speakers and carry out a myriad of other tasks to make Supers happen as they did. It would simply be impossible to offer a program like Supers without this kind of support. And Annual Meeting Program Chair Jamie Gibson, EA led the volunteer efforts of many who contributed to the success of the 2011 Annual Meeting hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Chapter this year in Pasadena. The May Board and committee meetings saw the completion of the 2010-2011 governance year, and with that the Board and committees focused on wrapping up some projects and passing along others to the next leaders. Just weeks later, the Society bid farewell to outgoing President Kim Kastl, EA and welcomed a new Board led by incoming President Jean Nelsen, EA at the first Board and committees meetings of the 2011-2012 governance year. Likewise, the Society welcomed new committees led by a talented, passionate and motivated group of chairs and vice chairs. Education Chair Margy Dunn, EA is focused on elevating the Society’s education programs to the next level and expanding offerings online. Membership Chair Sandy Danioth-Jones, EA is coordinating a statewide membership drive and working to increase membership by 10 percent this year. Legislative Chair Gary Anspach, EA is leading the fight to defend the profession while supporting sound tax policy such as federalstate conformity at the State Capitol and among numerous regulatory agencies. Public Information & Awareness Chair Kathy Rocha, EA is leading the charge to make sure the Enrolled Agent designation is recognized and respected across the state and the nation. Meanwhile, Political Action Committee Chair Xavier Martinez, EA is working to ensure CSEA remains a visible force on the political landscape by raising funds to contribute to political candidates the Society supports. Ethics & Professional Conduct Chair Tom Johnston, EA is leading the charge to maintain high professional standards and resolve client complaints before they elevate to a legal or administrative agency. Finance & Budget Chair Mark Seid, EA is keeping Society finances in order, while Audit Chair Pamela Blair, EA oversees the annual organizational audit. Bylaws Committee Chair Jerry Satterberg, EA is monitoring Society bylaws and ensuring Chapter bylaws remain parallel. Finally, Nominating Chair Kim Kastl, EA is charged with the very important task of leading a committee to interview and nominate the Society’s next leaders. I am truly grateful for the drive and talent of so many Members who are willing to take a leadership role in working on behalf of the Society and their profession. Their efforts are the very foundation of the organization. CSEA would not be the fantastic organization it is without them. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve the organization as your chief staff. And finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the amazing team at the CSEA office who work hard day after day to provide excellent service to the tax community. So while most of us think of Thanksgiving as a time of thanks, I’m here to say that gratitude knows no season at CSEA. Scarlett D. Vanyi, CAE is the Executive Vice President of California Society of Enrolled Agents. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Organizational Behavior & Leadership from the University of San Francisco and recently received designation as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives. Ms. Vanyi has more than 16 years of experience in the nonprofit association and legislative advocacy arenas and has expertise across a wide array of nonprofit management disciplines including organizational governance, strategic planning, membership development, internal and external communications and marketing, event and meeting management, governmental relations, operations and program development, budget and finance, and human resource management. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 5 Legislative State Budget Includes Controversial Tax Law Changes By Chris Micheli A fter adopting nearly $10 billion in budget reductions (both one-time and ongoing) in March of this year, as well as a number of tax law changes, the California Legislature adopted its second budget to complete work on the 2011-12 spending plan that governs the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2011. This budget was done prior to the start of the fiscal year, one of a handful of times this feat has been accomplished in the last two decades. It included several “majority vote” tax law changes to generate revenues, as well as “updated assumptions” concerning revenues to be expected by the state during the course of the fiscal year. Revenue provisions in the budget: • Increase vehicle registration fees by $12 to defray costs at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which allows $300 million in Vehicle License Fees (VLF) to be dedicated to local public safety realignment. • Increase use tax compliance by requiring collection of the existing tax by online retailers, as specified, and assumes $200 million in additional revenues from this new requirement. • Adopt a State Responsibility Area Fee of $150 per parcel to cover some costs of state fire suppression on privately-owned lands and reduces General Fund support for Cal-Fire by $50 million and replaces the amount with this fee revenue. Within a few weeks of adoption, the opponents of the use tax collection bill, as well as the new firefighting fee, filed a referendum with the Secretary of State’s Office to attempt to overturn these two new laws. If a half million valid signatures are obtained before mid-October, then these two laws will be held in abeyance until June 2012, when they will be voted upon by the statewide electorate. The newly-adopted state budget accord also includes these updated revenue assumptions: • Increases current-year revenue estimates by $1.2 billion to reflect higher revenues already received since the May Budget Revision estimates. • Assumes current revenue trends continue and generate $4 billion above the revenue estimates in the Governor’s May Revision for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The following is a brief summary of the major budget trailer bills making revenue and tax law changes: SB 89 (Committee on Budget & Fiscal Review), Chapter 35 This budget trailer bill redirects the majority of the VLF that is currently deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA) for DMV administrative costs to the Local Revenue Fund 2011 and increases vehicle registration fees of $12 per vehicle to backfill the redirected funds. Following are the provisions of the bill: Section 1. Eliminates the requirement that the administrative portion of VLF revenues currently used to support DMV and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) be transferred from the Motor Vehicle License Fee Account to the MVA. Limits the amount of VLF revenue that can be used to support DMV to $25 million, adjusted annually for inflation. Transfers the VLF revenues that are not used for DMV or FTB support to the Local Revenue Fund 2011. Section 2. Increases the base vehicle registration fee by $9 (from $34 to $43) for all vehicles with registration expiring on or after July 1, 2011, regardless of whether a renewal application notification specifying a different amount was mailed to the registered owner prior to July 1, 2011. Section 3. Appropriates $1,000 from the MVA to the DMV for administrative costs. Section 4. States that the act addresses the fiscal emergency declared and reaffirmed by the Governor by proclamation on January 20, 2011. Section 5. States that the act is a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill within the meaning of Proposition 25, to take effect immediately. ABx1 28 (Blumenfield), Chapter 7 This bill, commonly referred to as the “Amazon Tax” bill, enacts three new criteria for establishing “nexus” for out-ofstate retailers to collect the use tax on purchases made by California residents, including “affiliate” nexus, “controlled corporation” nexus, and “long-arm” nexus. While the budget committee estimated that this bill will result in $200 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year if there is full compliance with no behavioral changes by out-of-state retailers that do not currently collect use tax, the bill has already resulted in Amazon and Overstock terminating their relationships with their affiliates in a move to avoid tax collection. Moreover, Amazon has filed a referendum to overturn this new law. continued on p. 7 6 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Legislative continued from p. 6 Proponents of this legislation argue that the bill will close the current “loophole” in California tax law which has allowed out-of-state companies to avoid collecting California sales and use tax. Out-of-state online retailers designed their business model to avoid collecting sales tax, they argue, and stated that, “This puts our Main Street businesses, which play by the rules, at a competitive disadvantage. It’s not fair to hurt California businesses who are struggling to keep their doors open.” Proponents of this bill also argue that it will generate revenue for the state and will level the playing field for California businesses. Opponents of this measure claim it will negatively impact thousands of taxpaying individuals because Amazon and Overstock will end their advertising relationships with more than 10,000 Californians participating in their associates/ affiliates program if this measure takes effect. This is similar to what Amazon did previously by ending its relationship with associates in the other states that enacted these types of measures, including Rhode Island, North Carolina and Colorado. Opponents also argue that non-California website companies and organizations would become the ultimate beneficiaries of this bill because the out-of-state retailers would simply switch to using their websites to access the California market and avoid the state’s use tax laws. This would place California-based websites at a competitive disadvantage. Following are the provisions of the bill: Section 1. Nexus Statute Changes as set forth below: The long-arm nexus redefines a “retailer engaged in business in this state” as any retailer that has substantial nexus with this state for purposes of the commerce clause of the United States Constitution and any retailer upon whom federal law permits this state to impose a use tax collection duty. It deletes two provisions: 1) The exclusion from the term “retailer engaged in business in this state” related to the taking of orders from customers in this state through a computer telecommunications network located in the state, and 2) The currently inoperative provision related to retailers soliciting orders for tangible personal property by mail if the solicitations are substantial and recurring and if the retailer benefits from certain activities occurring in the state. The affiliate nexus specifically: 1. Expands the definition of a retailer engaged in business in this state to include any retailer entering into agreements under which a person in this state, for a commission or other consideration, directly or indirectly refers potential purchasers, whether by an Internet-based link or an Internet website, or otherwise, to the retailer, provided the total cumulative sales price from all sales by the retailer to purchasers in this state that are referred pursuant to these agreements is in excess of $500,000 within the preceding 12 months, except as specified. 2. Provides that an agreement under which a retailer engages a person in this state to place an advertisement on an Internet website, operated by that person, or operated by another person in this state, is not an agreement targeted by this bill unless the person entering the agreement with the retailer also directly or indirectly solicits potential customers in this state through use of flyers, newsletter, telephone calls, electronic mail, blogs, microblogs, social networking sites, or other means of direct or indirect solicitation specifically targeted at potential customers in this state. 3. Specifies that a retailer entering specified agreements to purchase advertising is not a retailer engaged in business in this state. The controlled-corporation nexus expands the definition of “retailer engaged in business in this state” to mean any retailer engaged in business in this state as a retailer that is a member of a commonly controlled group, as defined under the Corporation Tax Law, and a member of a combined reporting group, as defined, that includes another member of the retailer’s commonly controlled group that, pursuant to an agreement with or in cooperation with the retailer, performs services in this state in connection with tangible personal property to be sold by the retailer. Section 2. Severability clause in case one or more provisions are found to be unconstitutional. Section 3. Appropriates $1,000 from the General Fund to the Board of Equalization for its administrative operations. Section 4. This act addresses the fiscal emergency declared and reaffirmed by the Governor by proclamation on January 20, 2011. Section 5. Proposition 25 boilerplate language to tie this measure to the budget bill. Chris Micheli is an attorney and legislative advocate for the Sacramento-based governmental relations firm of Aprea & Micheli, Inc. His practice focuses on state and local tax issues. He can be reached at 916/448-3075 or [email protected]. PAID ADVERTISEMENT July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 7 Legislative Grassroots Mobilize for Advocacy By Gary Anspach, EA W ith the invaluable support of Chapter Legislative Chairs, Chapter Presidents, CSEA Directors and dozens of local Chapter Members, the CSEA Legislative Affairs Committee led a major expansion of “grassroots” legislative advocacy efforts over the past year. A significant number of visits to legislators’ offices in their local districts resulted in relationship building between EAs and their legislators, which has strengthened our presence as our voice has become increasingly more powerful and effective. Many Chapter and state leaders attended the second annual online Legislative Workshop in July. Attendees were provided with tools and training to assist them in planning and executing legislative visits in legislators’ local district offices. Last year’s theme of “Tools and Training” has been upgraded to “More Tools and Better Training.” The workshop addressed: • Scheduling and attending legislative visits in local districts • Creating an agenda for visits • Legislative packets with information on Enrolled Agents, CSEA legislative position statements and current legislative issues • Form to document visits • Alternate participation vehicles for those unable to make visits The workshop was designed to ensure that CSEA Members attending visits with their legislators would have the knowledge, perspective and strategies to confidently and proudly represent CSEA and the EA profession. Leaders pointed out the importance of offering CSEA and oneself as a resource on tax related issues. The group also identified ways to begin and continue building relationships with legislators. The Legislative Committee encourages all Members to take advantage of the opportunity to represent their profession by visiting their legislator in their local or state Capitol office. Members who cannot attend visits can make calls, write letters and send emails in support of the profession. Those who have participated in grassroots advocacy activities are always amazed at its power. Chapters are organizing visits in the local districts again this year and hope many Members will participate. Gary Anspach, EA is Chair of the CSEA Legislative Affairs Committee, and a partner in Anspach Financial Group. He has owned a tax practice since 1979, providing tax and related services to individuals, business, estates and fiduciaries. He specializes in business planning and complex tax issues, and can be reached at [email protected]. 2011-2012 CSEA Events Calendar August 22, 23, 29 Federal Representation Workshop Laguna Niguel, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Sacramento, CA August 25, 26 Tax Practice Management Workshop (TPMW) Sacramento, CA September 23 State Tax Agencies Liaison Meeting Sacramento, CA September 23-25 CSEA Board and Committee Meetings Sacramento, CA 8 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent January 6, 2012 Jim Stern Legislative Day Sacramento, CA May 14, 2012 TaxTech – Las Vegas Bally’s Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV May 15 – 17, 2012 30th Annual Super Seminar – Las Vegas Bally’s Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV May 31 – June 2, 2012 30th Annual Super Seminar – Reno Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, NV Legislative July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 9 Legislative Federal Tax Law Changes By Mysti Champion-Freyenberger Setting the scene for the 2011 tax season and beyond Tax laws and regulations took center stage in Washington D.C. last year, bringing typically mundane industry jargon like conversion rules and payroll taxes to the forefront of the American consciousness. However, even though the spotlight shone brightly on the tax world, many are still in the dark when it comes to the latest changes that were put in place. Tax planning is a year-round venture and even though the 2010 filing season is behind us, it’s important for all tax and accounting professionals and those interested in staying on top their personal finances to have a strong understanding of the implications of these recent changes. To help, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the major new statutes and changes for this year. We also provide a glimpse into the evolving role of the accounting profession in today’s digital economy and take a look at the issues on the horizon. A closer look at the 2010 Tax Relief Act At the center of much of the contention on Capitol Hill last year, the 2010 Tax Relief Act finally passed in mid-December. The main crux of the bill is the extension of Bush-era tax cuts for another two years. The legislation also included provisions for estate tax relief, outlined a temporary fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) issue and provided incentives for businesses to invest in equipment. The Tax Relief Act impacts individuals, businesses and estates alike. The details of the act, broken down by category, are provided below. Personal tax rates The Tax Relief Act extended the Bush-era tax cuts for the years 2011 and 2012. Instead of rising to pre-2001 levels of 15 percent, 28 percent, 31 percent, 36 percent and 39.6 percent, income tax rates will hold steady at 10 percent, 15 percent, 25 percent, 28 percent, 33 percent and 35 percent, respectively. However, while the rates will remain the same, the corresponding brackets have risen slightly to account for inflation. Capital gains tax and qualified dividends Long-term capital gains will continue to be taxed at either 0 percent or 15 percent through 2012. In addition, qualified dividends paid to individuals will be taxed at the same 0 percent or 15 percent rate. Had the bill not passed, the 0 percent rate and 15 percent rate for capital gains, which represent historic lows, would have risen to 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Moreover, dividends would have been taxed at basic rates instead of the preferred 0 percent or 15 percent rate. Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) The big elephant in the room, the AMT was the subject of significant debate and angst in Congress. Originally intended as a means to go after wealthy individuals who used deductions and loopholes to avoid paying taxes, the AMT is now essentially a second federal income tax for those making more than a pre-established threshold. However, the threshold has remained steady and inflation has not been taken into account, meaning millions of new people become subject to the AMT every year. The Tax Relief Act included a “patch” that provides temporary relief and set the threshold slightly higher than in 2010, at $47,450 for individuals and $74,450 for couples. Unfortunately, the “patch” expires at the end of 2011, meaning the debate is not over; it’s just on hold. Educational credits and deductions The Tax Relief Act extends the refundable American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 through 2012. Those enrolled in college can also choose to take advantage of the reinstated tuition and fees deduction through 2011, though doing so will forfeit the American Opportunity Credit. Furthermore, the deduction for student loan interest has been extended for two more years. However, in 2012 the deduction will revert to previous law in which student loan interest is only deductable for the first 60 months of repayment. Children and dependents The Tax Relief Act extends both the Child Tax Credit and the Dependent and Child Care Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit allows for up to $1,000 in partially refundable tax credits for children under the age of 17. Without the extension, the credit amount was going to revert back to the previous maximum of $500. The Dependent and Child Care Tax Credit holds steady at $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children. Roth IRA conversions The income limit for conversions has been permanently removed, meaning all taxpayers may still convert ordinary IRAs into Roth IRAs. However, you can no longer defer conversion income to later years if you convert to a Roth IRA. continued on p. 11 10 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Legislative continued from p. 10 Energy tax credits As part of the Tax Relief Act, credits for energy-efficient home improvements have been extended, although at lesser amounts. The credit has shrunk to a maximum of $500 per taxpayer per lifetime, meaning anyone who already took advantage of the previous credit is excluded. Builders are likely to ask for the program to expand again in order to jump-start the sluggish housing market. Employee payroll taxes The Social Security portion of payroll taxes for employees has been reduced 2 percent to 4.2 percent. This reduction is only for 2011 and the employer portion of Social Security remains at 6.2 percent. The self-employed also received a reduced rate, dropping from 12.4 percent to 10.4 percent. Estate and gift taxes The rules surrounding estates, gifts and trusts have basically been rewritten for 2011 and 2012. There is now a new and unified estate tax and gift tax. The top rate is 35 percent and the legislation allows for one exemption of $5 million per individual for estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes. The annual exclusion for tax-free gifts remains $13,000, and givers can make an unlimited number of gifts so long as they are to different individuals. The Act also offers widows and widowers the ability to receive unused portions of their spouse’s estate tax exemption. New rules in a new landscape It’s imperative that tax professionals have absolute clarity of the rules and regulations that impact them and their customers from the outside. However, it is equally important that these professionals understand the changing landscape within the profession as well. To that end, Ajilon Finance (a part of Accounting Principals) conducted an informal survey in which we polled who they rely on to prepare their personal tax returns. Alarmingly, though not surprisingly, more than 70 percent of respondents said they filed their personal taxes themselves using software, without the help of a professional. Only 21 percent of respondents rely on a CPA or accountant and even fewer (7 percent) use a tax preparation company. The remaining 2 percent call on friends or family members for help. The results of our poll speak to the increasing prominence of tax preparation software. No longer is software limited to 1040EZ filing. Instead, programs geared towards more complex personal, small businesses and commercial needs are being developed and refined, with new releases every year. Faced with increasingly capable software solutions and a diminishing customer base, now is the time for tax professionals to demonstrate the tremendous value they offer to customers, a value that extends well beyond the transactional cost of filing taxes. Software can help customers populate forms during tax time, but it is up to the tax professional to play a consultative role for customers in April and throughout the year. The relationships with customers must transcend the traditional function of tax preparation. Instead, the relationship must be built on communication, trust and a willingness to offer advice whenever needed. Central to maintaining and augmenting a company’s customer base is having the right talent in place. Thus, it’s more important than ever to have experienced professionals who can not only get the job done, but can answer the tough questions and provide impactful advice. The “right” professionals establish trust and long-term partnerships with their customers, rendering the prospect of turning to software solutions moot. What’s next? The uncertainty that characterized the 2011 tax season up until the very last month of 2010 is likely to reappear as we approach the upcoming presidential election. At that time, many of the provisions of the 2010 Tax Relief Act will expire, setting the stage for a new round of debate and doubt. Tax rates on both pay and investments are set to spike just in time for the campaign ads to launch. The issue of the AMT will once again divide politicians and the general public. Small businesses and the self-employed will hope for further reduction in Social Security taxes while advocates of the elderly will argue that the well is already running dry. And companies in industries like housing and construction will lobby for rebate programs to be extended in the hopes of improving their sagging sales. In the middle of all this debate will lie the accounting and finance professionals who must make sense of it all. And they must do so while being faced with increased pressure from software solutions. Add it up, and it’s a huge challenge. Sacramento Managing Director Mysti ChampionFreyenberger joined Ajilon and Accounting Principals in May of 2009. Her significant professional experience has helped drive company performance and results during economic challenges and industry down-turns. She has been recognized for a variety of awards and has successfully led an enterprise-wide initiative in developing diversity awareness. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Sacramento State University. About Ajilon Finance Ajilon Finance, a part of Accounting Principals, is a leader in specialized financial staffing and recruitment. Ajilon places premier accounting, financial and bookkeeping professionals in temporary and direct-hire positions. Please visit ajilonfinance.com for more information. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 11 Features CSEA-IRS Federal Representation Workshop 2011: The Basics of IRS Compliance Processes and Representation SEMINAR DETAILS LOCATIONS*/DATES/TIME This all-day workshop has been expanded to four convenient locations… Registration: 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Seminar: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA: August 22 CARSON, CA: (LA area): August 23 OAKLAND, CA: August 29 SACRAMENTO, CA: August 29 nd IRS Office, Oceanside/Riverside Room, 2 floor, 24000 Avila Road, Laguna Niguel, CA Carson Center, Community Hall A, 801 East Carson Street, Carson, CA Elihu M. Harris State Building, Room 1, Second Floor 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA Representing clients before the IRS is one of the most challenging and important roles an Enrolled Agent performs. CSEA and the IRS are once again partnering to bring you a workshop that focuses specifically on how to best represent your clients through a better understanding of IRS compliance processes and procedures as they relate to examinations, collections, appeals, and offers in compromise. In addition, the IRS will share new developments at the Service, and CSEA will share the practitioner perspective. WHO SHOULD ATTEND: All tax practitioners – this is your opportunity to learn the basics about IRS procedures regarding compliance processes and representation. YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN: Examination Process & Procedures Collection Process & Procedures Appeals Process & Procedures Collection Appeals Program & Collection Due Process Offers in Compromise What’s New at the IRS 12 Much July/August 2011 | And More! California Enrolled Agent Franchise Tax Board, Town Center, Gerald Goldberg Auditorium, 9646 Butterfield Way, Sacramento, CA *locations subject to change COST $105/Members; $125/non-Members CPE OFFERED IRS, CSEA/NAEA, CTEC # 1001-CE-6838, and California Board of Accountancy: 8 federal hours. State Bar of California MCLE: 7 hours. TO REGISTER SPACE IS LIMITED AT ALL FOUR LOCATIONS SO REGISTER TODAY! 3200 Ramos Circle Sacramento, CA 95827-2513 800/777-2732 phone 916/366-6674 fax www.csea.org Features Election to Aggregate Rental Real Estate By Joe Calderaro, EA T he passive loss rules impose restrictions on the allowance of passive activity losses and credits in the case of individuals and certain other taxpayers. Generally, losses from passive activities can only offset income from other passive activities and cannot offset non-passive income. A real estate professional may treat rental real estate activities as non-passive if the taxpayer materially participates in the rental activities. This material participation requirement applies separately to each rental activity unless the taxpayer made a timely election to group all rentals as a single activity. To qualify as a real estate professional the taxpayer must spend more than 50 percent of his/her time in real estate activities and that time must exceed 750 hours. A real estate professional may file a written election to group all rental real estate activities as one activity. The taxpayer may file the election in any year and it will bind all future years from that point. In order to make a valid election regulations require a taxpayer to file a written statement and attach it to an original return. This election could not be made retroactively or made on an amended return. If a taxpayer owned four or five rentals and failed to elect to group the rental activities, he would have had to materially participate in each rental activity in order to claim his rental losses as non-passive. This is virtually impossible and has quickly become an area often reviewed by IRS tax examiners. During an initial exam interview IRS agents may question the taxpayer as to whether a timely election to group was made. Revenue agents are instructed to review a copy of the tax return that included the election along with the prior and subsequent tax returns for consistency. They may also review any passive income and losses on Form 8582. Special procedures are contained in IRS Revenue Procedure 2011-34 that have changed these rules and provide relief for late elections. These late election procedures are in lieu of requesting a private letter ruling. In order to be eligible for this special relief certain requirements must be met: (1) The taxpayer failed to make a timely election. (2) The taxpayer filed consistently as if an election to aggregate the activities was in place. (3) The taxpayer timely filed each return that would have been affected by a timely election. (4) Reasonable cause exists for the late election. The taxpayer must attach a statement indicating that the above criteria are met under penalties of perjury. This statement must be attached to an amended return for the most recent tax year and mailed to the IRS service center where the taxpayer will file the current tax return. At the top of the document the following must appear: “Filed Pursuant to Rev Proc 2011-34.” This revenue procedure became effective upon publication in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. Joe Calderaro, EA, has more than 40 years of experience providing technical and procedural assistance to personnel in the examination, collection and taxpayer service and quality review functions with the IRS. Now as CSEA’s tax resource specialist, he provides technical support to CSEA Members through answering tax related questions by email at [email protected]. If You were the Judge Case - A tax preparer operated a tax preparation business from her home. During the years 2001 to 2004 she filed tax returns for her clients which generated fraudulent refunds. She not only forged the taxpayers’ signatures, but upon mailing the returns, she directed the IRS to send refund checks to her address and then deposited them into various bank accounts for which she had control. What penalty do you believe was imposed on the practitioner for her misdeeds? The tax preparer was: A. B. C. Sentenced to 46 months in prison and ordered to pay $827,582 in restitution. Sentenced to 24 months in prison and fined $10,000. Given probation and ordered never to prepare returns again. See page 28 for answer July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 13 TAX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS THAT WORK F O R YO U R B U S IN E S S Receive up to 21 hours of CPE including 1 hour of Ethics! CSEA IS PROUD TO PRESENT ITS ANNUAL TAX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP (TPMW) WHO SHOULD ATTEND Anyone in the tax profession wishing to: Start a practice August 25 - 26, 2011, Sacramento, CA Tax Practice Management is changing. There Expand their practice is a greater emphasis on TPMW provides this expertise through: Writing a business plan technology and how it can improve and Hiring and training employees increase your bottom line. With the Ethics BENEFITS OF ATTENDING current changing economic and political Marketing Excellent networking opportunities climate, promoting your practice is a Office procedures Supportive learning environment necessity. Time management Directly apply new skills to the work place marketplace your practice must have a Sell their practice To succeed in today’s Whether you’ve been in practice for range of expertise including: SPEAKERS Under the leadership and guidance of Penny van der Meer, EA, and Barbara Technology Strategic decision making process years, or are just starting out, you will required to start your business return home armed with real world Effectively to be intellectually stimulating and opportunities to maximize potential your practice meet your firm’s changing thought-provoking, as well as providing Sharpen and expand your practice and practical and economical options for the management knowledge to elevate TMPW is the answer to all of your tax your practice to a new level practice management questions! resolution of common tax practice management issues. leverage 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, CA 95827-2513 growth examples and practical tools that will help Willingham, EA, this Workshop promises Tel 800/777-2732 challenging demands. Fax 916/366-6674 S PA CE I S LIM IT ED ! TO FIND O UT M O R E D ETAI L S & TO REG I STE R VI SIT W W W .CS EA.O R G 14 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Attending Features A Super Thank You! CSEA wishes to thank all the volunteers who helped make the 2011 Super Seminars a huge success. Some new procedures were put in place for the 2011 Supers, including a new badge scanning procedure that automated attendance tracking. CSEA volunteers took on this challenge and mastered it, helping to eliminate the need for attendees to pick up, complete and turn in daily attendance sheets. Volunteers also served in many other capacities, such as putting together registration and education packets, staffing the registration and CSEA booths, acting as door and meeting room monitors, typing attendee comments from evaluation forms, and introducing speakers. Volunteers truly make Supers work! And not only did they help make the 2011 Super Seminars successful, they also had an opportunity to meet new people and catch up with long-time friends. The following individuals served as part of the volunteer corps: Joanne Anderson, EA Anne Arms, EA Allen D. Bates, EA Richard L. Bayne, EA Gretchen Beck, EA Steven Berlin, MST Patricia Brents, EA Bayford Butler, EA Glendola Chafin, EA Kenneth Chafin Paul Cheatham, EA Pamela Crouch, EA Sandy Danioth-Jones, EA Merry C. Davis, EA, CFP® Margy Dunn, EA Jill Dykes, EA Connie Edwards, EA Antonia Enriquez, EA Patty Evans, EA Hale Farley, EA, CFP® Colby Ferrell Connie Ferrell, EA Matt Ferrell Tim Flavin, EA Russell Fox, EA Robert Gardner, EA Cathy Gibson Jamie Gibson, EA Susan Growney, EA Alma Guenther, EA Rose Hablitzel, EA Douglas Hall, EA Peggy Hall, EA Debbie Harris, EA, CPA Mechele Hibbs Debra Hill Lisa Horner, EA Patti Kappen, EA Kim Kastl, EA Michael Keith, EA Karen Kersey, EA Joyce Knight, EA Mary Beth LaMunyon-Jones Christine Link Peggy Ligori, EA Jennifer MacMillan, EA Ginger Meek, EA Benita Myers, EA Lisa Newton, EA Bill Nunn Diane Ogren, EA Mary Philippsen, EA Doug Pickford, EA Marie Pratt, EA Patty Pringle, EA Nikki Ralls, EA Judi Randall, EA Mickey Reedy, EA Kathy Rocha, EA James Rodd, EA Franklin Ruedel, EA Jerry Satterberg, EA Sherri Scarrott, EA Robert Seymour, EA Dave Shaw, EA Gerald Smith, EA Judi Snell, EA Jette Stevens John Stevens, EA Andy Stamatelatos, EA Ragnar Storm-Larsen, EA Cindy Szerlip, EA, CFP® Doug Thorburn, EA, CFP® Cherry Turner, EA Susan A. Wallace Ron Watts, EA Donald Wulf, EA, CFP® Ellen Wulf, EA And Supers would not be the fantastic educational program that it is without the contributions of the world-class faculty as follows: Frank R. Acuña, Attorney at Law C. Dale Boushley, EA, CFP® Roy Braatz Karen Brosi, EA, CFP® Karen L. Hawkins, Director, OPR Cameron Hess, Esq., CPA Claudia Hill, EA, MBA Kevin C. Huston, EA, MBA Kim Kastl, EA Sharon Kreider, EA, CPA Robert E. McKenzie, Esq., EA Vicki L. Mulak, EA, CFP® Mark F. Seid, EA, CPA, TCP The California Enrolled Agent truly apologizes if any volunteers were omitted from this article. So many people are involved in making this event a success, it is possible that someone was missed. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 15 2011 Super Seminars Past President Dave Shaw, EA and Susan Growney, EA take refreshment and tour the exhibits at Reno Super Seminar. Staff member Ashley Soy, right, assists a Member with CSEA’s Facebook account. Margy Dunn, EA responds to a humorous comment from the audience during a Super session. Karen Hawkins, Director of OPR, took time to speak with Supers attendees after her presentation. Longtime Supers volunteer Diane Ogren, EA staffed the registration booth at both Las Vegas and Reno Super Seminars. Margy Dunn, EA and Jennifer MacMillan, EA attended the Karen Hawkins lunch session. 16 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Benita Myers, EA utilized CSEA’s new scanning procedure to help attendees get in and out of sessions smoothly. CSEA President Jean Nelsen, left, OPR Director Karen Hawkins, center, and CSEA Immediate Past President Kim Kastl make the most of a photo opportunity. Jamie Gibson, EA, 2011 Annual Meeting Chair, visited both Super Seminars to promote the 35th Annual Meeting. The Taxpayer Advocate Service booth fielded attendee questions. Attendees received excellent customer service from Supers Exhibitors. The CSEA booth was a big attraction for Members and guests. Sharon Kreider, EA, CPA provided answers to “Weird Real Estate Questions.” Exhibitors were available to answer Member practice management questions. Frank Acuña engaged students in his crowded classroom at Reno Super Seminar. Franklin Ruedel, EA, right, volunteered in addition to attending class sessions at Reno Supers. CSEA staff Ashley Soy and Lisa Kelly facilitated Member requests. CSEA Las Vegas Supers staff, from left to right: Debi Nogle, Lisa Kelly, Ashley Soy, and Laurie Cole. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 17 Features Many Winners at CSEA’s 35th Annual Meeting H eld June 20-24 at the Pasadena Hilton, CSEA’s 35th Annual Meeting was coupled with quality continuing education, Society meetings and many entertaining social activities. Whether attending the Town Hall Meeting, the Grand Banquet Celebration Dinner, bowling a strike or sinking the most putts, everyone won big! In addition to the many individual achievements, proceeds from the Jim Reed Memorial Golf Tournament, silent auction and Member Dinner DVDs were donated to the CSEA Education Foundation. CSEA congratulates the following individuals for their accomplishments during this year’s Jim Reed Memorial Golf Tournament on June 22 at the Brookside Golf Club: Cap Porterfield, EA - Longest Drive and Winning Foursome John Nocifore, EA - Closest to the Pin and Winning Foursome Jamie Gibson, EA - Winning Foursome Andrew Gibson - Winning Foursome Andy Stamatelatos, EA - Top Team Support - Most Putts Sunk Ron Watts, EA - Presidential Tour Guide to Pasadena CSEA also congratulates the following individuals for their achievements during this year’s Bowling Tournament held on June 22 at Southern California’s classiest alley – 300 Pasadena: David Shaw, EA - Fastest Ball Raven Deerwater, EA (a.k.a. “Ethel”) - Most Improved Game (over 90 percent improvement from game one to game two) Connie Ferrell, EA - Most Strikes Kathy Gibson - Highest Average Frame and Most Spares Many people contributed their time and effort to making CSEA’s 35th Annual Meeting a huge success. Members and staff organized and publicized meetings, speakers created and delivered interesting and valuable education, and sponsors donated resources for events and activities. CSEA would like to particularly acknowledge Annual Meeting Program Chair Jamie Gibson, EA of San Gabriel Valley Chapter for his efforts in promoting the event, drafting volunteers, creating and presenting an incredibly entertaining program during the Member Dinner, and organizing memorable social events. CSEA gratefully acknowledges the following individuals for presenting education sessions for attendees: Alma Guenther, EA Margaret Kehoe, EA Lee Martinson Mary Philippsen, EA Yon Regan Andy Rogers, EA Doug Thorburn, EA, CFP® David White CSEA gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors who helped make the Golf Tournament a success: Kim Kastl, EA Jean Nelsen, EA William Reilly, EA David Shaw, EA Kittie Vicars, EA Central Coast Chapter Far Northern Chapter San Gabriel Valley Chapter Andrew Gibson - the only Turkey of the Day (three strikes in a row) continued on p. 19 18 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Features continued from p. 18 CSEA gratefully recognizes the following volunteers for their valuable service during the Annual Meeting: Joe Barnes, EA Don Brunner, EA Paul Cheatham, EA Alice Clarno, EA, ATA Kathleen Corcoran, EA Shirleen Damaske Margy Dunn, EA Russell Fox, EA Jack Freeman Andrew Gibson Kathy Gibson Marcia Gibson Kevin Green Mike Habib, EA Jeanne Houston, EA Kim Kastl, EA Barbara Klein, EA Jennifer MacMillan, EA Jean Nelsen, EA Doug Pickford, EA Franklin Ruedel, EA Dean Schulz Judy Snell, EA Andrew Stamatelatos, EA Melinda Thompson, EA Sherrill Trovato, EA Allan Tudzin Ron White, EA The California Enrolled Agent truly apologizes if any volunteers were omitted from this article. So many people are involved in making this event a success, it is possible that someone was missed. As a part of its promotional activities for the 2011 CSEA Annual Meeting, host Chapter San Gabriel Valley coordinated a movie trivia contest and published results in seven previous issues of California Enrolled Agent. Congratulations Howard K. McCoy, EA Our seventh Scavenger Hunt Winner Len Deighton wrote the novel The Ipcress File that the movie of the same name was based on, and it was his hands you see in the movie breaking two eggs at once. Congratulations to all Scavenger Hunt Winners: Howard K. McCoy, EA, March/April Lewis Hurwitz, EA, January/February Lisa Gonzalez, EA, November Franklin Ruedel, EA, October Joni Terens, EA, September Don J. Gundry, EA, August All winners will receive a copy of Fred Willard’s book, Magnificent Movie Trivia. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 19 CSEA's 35th Annual Meeting CSEA Members discuss online education priorities at this year’s Town Hall during the 2011 Annual Meeting. There were many opportunities for both business and pleasure at the Board of Directors Meeting and the General Session. 20 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Participants were transported to the stylish bowling alley, 300 Pasadena, where they lunched and vied for prizes. Grand Banquet activities included the swearing in of the new Board of Directors and Officers, as well as sharing an elegant dinner together. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 21 Members Big Valley – Central CA - East Bay - Mission - North Bay – Sacramento Valley - Solano Napa CSEA Chapters – IRS -- .. … … .. --- - "Stimulate, Stabilize, -.-. --- -.. . and Succeed” Learn how to maximize IRS resources to increase your value to your clients and earn up to 7 CPE Federal Credits. Let Subject Matter Experts from IRS and CSEA clarify issues and hot topics of importance to you and your tax practice. Get the latest including: Update on Audits using Electronic Accounting Software: What is really required to be provided? RDP: Registered Domestic Partners: How difficult is this going to get? Audit & Collections: Rumors & Reality? Email us the rumors you have heard! CID: Criminal Investigation Money, Lies and Taxes - do they match? FBAR - Foreign Bank & Financial Accounts: Not as foreign as you think! Monday 19-Sep-11 Hilton Garden Inn - Emeryville 1800 Powell St Emeryville, CA 94608 Phone: (510) 658-9300 Fax: (510) 547-8166 Wednesday 21-Sep-11 Ramada Inn – University 324 E Shaw Avenue. Fresno, CA 93710 Phone: (559) 224-4040 Fax: (559) 222-4017 Thursday 22-Sep-11 Hilton Sacramento Arden West 2200 Harvard St Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone: (916) 922-4700 Fax: (916) 922-8418 Sign up for this date at: Sign up for this date at: Sign up for this date at: For more information contact: North Bay – Dot Clarke, EA (415) 883-1933 [email protected] To pay by check, fill out the form below and mail to: Barbara Sullivan EA , North Bay CSEA 17 Harcourt St Ste D San Rafael, CA 94901 For more information contact: Central California – Vickie Strohl, EA (559) 432-1251 [email protected] To pay by check, fill out the form below and mail to: CCCEA 1319 W Bullard Ave. #4 Fresno, CA 93711 For more information contact: Big Valley – Connie Ferrell, EA (209) 532-4056 [email protected] To pay by check, fill out the form below and mail to: Big Valley, CSEA P.O. Box 850 Soulsbyville, CA 95372-0850 www.123signup.com/event?id=cfqmp www.123signup.com/event?id=cfymy www.123signup.com/event?id=cftcv REGISTRATION FORM Payment: (Includes Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Refreshments) Please complete a separate form for each participant. Name: Company: Address: City: Phone: ( ): *Email Address: . State: .Zip Code: . Fax*: ( ) * Fax # or Email Address is required for registration confirmation. How did you hear about the event? For CPE Credits please provide the following: EA#__________ CPA# _________ BAR# CTEC# ________________ Other Registration 7 AM / Workshop 8 AM to 4 PM FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.COM! Search “townhallmeeting” 22 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent . . . . . . Early Bird - $125 After Sept 9, 2011 - $150 CREDIT CARD PAYMENT IS PREFERRED Or use Your ATM Card with VISA/MasterCard logo through secure online payment processing at x . . . x x . . www.123signup.com/event?id=cfqmp for 19-Sep-11 in Emeryville www.123signup.com/event?id=cfymy for 21-Sept-11 in Fresno www.123signup.com/event?id=cftcv for 22-Sept-11 in Sacramento USE THIS FORM ONLY IF PAYING BY CHECK Registration & Check are enclosed Check only is enclosed (Registration faxed or entered online) TOTAL ENCLOSED $ __ ___________ Members To all CSEA Members, Associates, and Affiliates: Each year, the CSEA Nominating Committee requests your assistance in identifying Members of our Society who are proven or who are willing to become dedicated leaders at the state level. The benefits we provide to the Members and the strength of our organization begin and end with great leaders. Officers lead our Society and experience great satisfaction while they meet, represent and focus on the needs of more than 4,200 Members, Associates, and Affiliates, in addition to oversight of the $1.7 million CSEA budget. To meet the unique challenges of our profession, we need leaders who will represent Enrolled Agents as they lead us into the future. While compiling your list, please remember self-nominations are encouraged. The positions are President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. You can find the job description for these positions on our website – www. csea.org – in the Members’ area (you must login first) under the “Members Area” drop down list, and then “Governance”. We encourage you to offer comments regarding the candidates and any suggestions that you feel will be helpful to the Committee. Please email your list to Debi Nogle at [email protected] by September 12, 2011. If you have any questions, you may contact any one of the following Committee members: Name: Phone: Email: Kim Kastl, EA, Chair 510/537-2122 [email protected] Paul Cheatham, EA 909/944-0446 [email protected] Sandy Danioth-Jones, EA 415/453-6235 [email protected] Steven Leibold, EA 619/294-4286 [email protected] Kathy Rocha, EA 209/667-7012 [email protected] Thank you in advance for your participation in this critically important process. Sincerely yours, Kim Kastl, EA Chair, Nominating Committee July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 23 Members Techniques to Promote EA Recognition By Peggy Hall, EA I n June of 2011, I was very much honored by being presented the first ever Pubic Information and Awareness (PIA) Award in Pasadena, CA. This award recognizes a volunteer who has made significant contributions in the area of Public Information and Awareness and in promoting the Enrolled Agent designation and profession. So how can I advance the meaning of this award? I want to encourage all of you! Sadly, I recently visited a longtime Member of CSEA who never attends our meetings. He told me that being an EA is not relevant to his work; his work stands on its own merits. He showed me his letterhead which doesn’t include the words “Enrolled Agent” or “EA.” Are there other EAs who feel the same way? Of course! How can YOU help to promote public awareness of Enrolled Agents? You may not be conscious of the impact of all the little things you do. When you introduce yourself, always include the words “Enrolled Agent.” We often want to take a shortcut and describe what we do rather than say we are an EA, because we get tired of hearing the question, “What is an EA?” Do not take that shortcut! Rather, use this opportunity to explain that Enrolled Agents have the highest standards in all of their work, whether preparing tax returns, representing clients, doing their books or providing other adjunct services. Explain that EAs are trusted advisors because our clients know we care about them, and we advocate for them whenever possible. Explain that EAs network with one another to make sure we get our questions answered before we prepare their returns, and we use our combined leverage to lobby our state and federal legislators as well as the IRS to defend the rights of our clients. Ultimately, this is what our Public Information and Awareness campaign is about – public recognition of our professionalism and the high standards we hold ourselves to. Please use the words “Enrolled Agent” whenever you introduce yourselves, answer the phone, or create advertising. It does not cost any money, and it will increase the number of people who understand what an Enrolled Agent does! There are also other ways you can promote public awareness. Some Chapters recently purchased a “Booth in a Box.” This is a professional looking portable booth you can use whenever you have an opportunity to exhibit at public events. It contains brochures and information about the Enrolled Agent profession. There are many opportunities to 24 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent use the Booth in a Box. Search out places, starting with any clubs you belong to. Ask them if you can be the speaker one night. You can get some of your fellow EAs to go with you to speak, or they can speak instead of you. We developed a “Speaker’s Bureau” at the East Bay Chapter and a speaker’s development group, which grooms people to speak. The goal is to have a group of people ready to speak when the opportunity arises. Go to job fairs and college career days. Students are anxious to know about career paths they can follow, and few of them know about the Enrolled Agent career. High schools also have career days that provide an opportunity to educate students about the Enrolled Agent profession. At the other end of the spectrum, seek out forums to introduce the Enrolled Agent profession as a second career. Many of you entered the profession that way. Both CSEA and NAEA write press releases. CSEA has provided Chapter Presidents a list of local media sources and contact information. Use the list to send out press releases, or develop your own list of local newspapers and contact people. Personalize a press release and send it on. It is helpful to call the media contact before sending press releases to establish a relationship. Another way to get some publicity is to write articles about yourself and/or other Members of your local Chapter and submit the articles to the local newspaper. Enrolled Agents do great things in their communities. Telling about what we do is a great way to introduce ourselves and our career. If you have been getting the Enrolled Agent name publicized in some other ways, please share your ideas with CSEA Communications Coordinator Jana Perinchief at [email protected]. EDITOR’S NOTE: The next issue of California Enrolled Agent will feature more information about what the CSEA PIA Committee is doing to promote Enrolled Agents. Peggy Hall, EA served as President of the East Bay Chapter from 2008-2010. She is currently Chair of the East Bay Chapter Membership Committee and Co-Chair of the East Bay Chapter PIA Committee. Members Exceptional Contributions Recognized at Awards Ceremony By Jana Perinchief T he CSEA 35th Annual Meeting Grand Banquet at the Hilton Pasadena featured this year’s annual awards ceremony, an opportunity to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in supporting CSEA or its Chapters. The hours of dedication and service provided by the award recipients are the foundation for the Society’s ongoing success. CSEA is indebted to each of them for their efforts. Below is a list of 2011 award recipients in the order of presentation. President’s Award honors an individual, a group of individuals or an organization for assistance in advancing the goals of the Society. Recipient: The Honorable Mimi Walters, California State Senator, for outstanding leadership in authoring SB 1244 to simplify taxpayer reporting requirements thereby easing administration of the California tax code. Professional Associate Service Award recognizes Professional Associate contributions that significantly enhance or improve the status of Enrolled Agents or CSEA. Recipient: Timothy H. Elkins. Enrolled Agent of the Year Award recognizes Member contributions that significantly enhance or improve the status of Enrolled Agents or CSEA. Recipient: Gary Anspach, EA. Public Information & Awareness Award recognizes a volunteer who has made significant contributions in the area of Public Information & Awareness and in promoting the Enrolled Agent designation and profession. This award will be given to the individual who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has made the most significant contribution in the areas of PIA awareness through but not limited to, public or media appearances, public awareness administration or campaigns, creative use of technology in the promotion of the Enrolled Agent designation and the use of social media. PIA efforts on a local and state wide level qualify the individual for this award. Recipient: Peggy Hall, EA. Chapter of the Year Award recognizes the Chapter that has made significant progress toward achieving the objectives of the Mission of the Society. Recipient: South Bay Chapter. Thomas P. Hess Award recognizes exceptional contributions toward the fulfillment of CSEA’s educational goals. Recipient: Joanne Anderson, EA. Distinguished Service Award provides special recognition for Members who, through lengthy volunteer involvement, have made significant contributions to the enhancement of the reputation, recognition or success of the California Society of Enrolled Agents. Recipient: Vicki L. Mulak, EA, CFP®. Top Left: Timothy H. Elkins of South Bay Chapter is shown accepting the 2011 Professional Associate Service Award. Top Center: Gary Anspach, EA of North Bay Chapter proudly displays his 2011 Enrolled Agent of the Year Award. Top Right: Peggy Hall, EA of East Bay Chapter received the first ever Public Information & Awareness Award. Bottom Left: The 2011 Chapter of the Year Award was accepted by South Bay Chapter Members George Van Buren, EA, Andy Stamatelatos, EA and Greg Cash, EA. Bottom Center: Joanne Anderson, EA of East Bay Chapter received the 2011 Thomas P. Hess Award. Bottom Right: Vicki Mulak, EA, CFP® of Orange County Chapter was presented the 2011 Distinguished Service Award by Robert Gardner, EA, left, and Sandy Danioth-Jones, EA, right. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 25 Members Valuable New Member Benefits Unveiled C SEA prides itself on offering group discount insurance programs that ease the expenses of its Members. The Society is pleased to announce the addition of three new programs: Disability Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, and Term Life Insurance. These programs are offered and serviced through Association Insurance & Pension Services, Inc. (AI&PS), CA License: 0549259. Long Term Disability and Long Term Care Insurance both provide special pricing concessions for Members and their families. The Disability Insurance program: • provides potential tax-free income when disability occurs due to accident or illness, • can pay benefits to age 65, depending on the benefit period you select, • is offered at a Corporation premium discount, and • cannot be cancelled by Carrier as long as premiums are paid. Illness and accidents are on the rise in America, causing more workers to miss work and lose income. Following are five questions workers should ask to better understand how prepared they are should the unthinkable happen – a loss of income due to an accident or illness: 1. What are my “necessary” monthly living expenses that would continue if my income stopped (e.g., rent or mortgage, utilities, food, medical insurance, etc.)? 2. Would my personal savings pay for my “necessary” monthly expenses and for how long? Would my savings cover my “out of pocket” medical expenses (deductibles and co-pays)? 3. Does my employer have a sick pay plan or long-term disability program or both? When would it start? How much would it pay me and for how long? 4. What other sources of income might be available to help me pay for my expenses and for how long? 5. Could I afford my medical COBRA premium, and what would happen to the contributions to my retirement plan? The Long Term Care (LTC) program allows Members to select from a variety of plans personalized to meet their needs. The carriers associated with the program offer great flexibility, affordability and a choice of features. Having LTC coverage can help secure not only one’s future, but also the futures of loved ones. The discount is extended to family members including spouses, partners, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, and children (including adopted and fostered). Long term care covers care we may need either at home or in a facility when, because of our physical inabilities or our mental capacities, we are no longer able to care for ourselves independently. It may be our inability to bathe or dress caused by a stroke or our inability to function mentally due to a cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s disease. The sobering fact is that we may find ourselves dependent upon others as a result of accident or illness. There are a variety of places this care may be provided – at home, adult day care centers, residential care facilities, and skilled nursing homes. Unfortunately, Medicare will cover only a limited number of days, and then only in a skilled nursing facility, followed by a hospital stay. Medi-Cal can provide care but only after assets and income is spent down to qualified limits. And Medicare-supplement policies generally provide no coverage for custodial care. The cost of this care can be staggering. According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, the average private room in a nursing home cost more than $66,000 a year in 2003. At an average of $18 an hour, 24-hour home care can cost much more. And, if inflation occurs at a five percent annual rate, that cost could be as much as $175,000 annually 20 years from now. Long Term Care insurance is designed to help pay the staggering potential cost of long term care. Policies are written to reimburse your care whether it is provided in a nursing home, residential care facility, adult day care centers or even at home. These types of policies can be designed to meet specific requirements, from the amount of daily or monthly benefit one wishes to insure, to the maximum time or amount one wishes to insure, and usually include provisions that allow benefits to increase annually to keep pace with inflation. continued on p. 27 26 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Members continued from p. 26 According to a major insurer, fewer than 10 percent of U.S. adults over age 45 are covered by long term care policies, but that number is on the rise as many in the current 45-55 year age bracket are experiencing firsthand the financial and emotional crisis that develops when their parents encounter the need for long term care. The LTC insurance offered through this program is underwritten by A++ rated carrier A.M. Best & Co. These plans provide up to $500 in daily benefits, offer special premium discounts to CSEA Members and spouses, and in certain cases, provide special asset protection when qualifying for Medi-Cal benefits. What if you were out of the picture? Term Life Insurance is ideal for a temporary insurance need and can be customized for your specific situation. Term Life Insurance is flexible and it is renewable for life. In many cases plans can be customized to a client’s specific needs. They can also be converted to a single life policy and in many cases without further medical exams. For more information, please contact the marketing representatives for these programs as follows: Northern California David W. White & Associates 800/548-2671 x2664 [email protected] The Term Life insurance options include plans that protect assets against a short-term business debt. Other options include: • a 10-year plan ideal for a young family because it remains affordable through critical growth years, • a 15-year plan that covers long-term debts and obligations, • A 20-year plan that provides for even longer-range financial needs such as college costs, and • A 30-year plan whose proceeds can cover debt obligations such as a 30-year mortgage. Southern California Jerry Kouzmanoff 800/653-8003 [email protected] PAID ADVERTISEMENT A Newsletter For Your Clients TAX NEWS & TIPS – Since 1981 – Dave Gorsich, EA Picture Your Masthead on this Newsletter! Tell us how YOUR newsletter should look! • � CLIENT ORIENTED • First Person Language • Easy To Read • Timely Tax Topics � INCREASE YOUR INCOME • • More Consultations • More Referrals • Build Your Image “My clients love it! But more important every issue generates new business for me!” R. E. - La Mesa, CA “Finally, a newsletter my clients can read and understand. An excellent practice builder it pays for itself!” G. A. - San Marcos, CA INFORMATION / SAMPLES: Full Year Subscription - 3 ISSUES Mid-Year (June), Fall (September) & Year-End (December) PERSONALIZED with your CUSTOM masthead or NON-PERSONALIZED – Cost Effective for Small Practices. Personalized Newsletters: (Full Year) 100 Clients - $2.28 $0.76 per newsletter 300 Clients - $1.35 $0.45 per newsletter 500 Clients - $1.15 $0.38 per newsletter TAX NEWS & TIPS 7827 Convoy Court, #403 • San Diego, CA 92111 • 800-368-8477 • Fax (858) 278-9327 • Additional Information At: www.taxnewsandtips.com July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 27 Members Welcome New Members, Associates, and Affiliates Welcome to the following people who joined CSEA between May 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011 Members William H. Neusteter, EA (South Bay) Lorraine Braun (Reno, NV) Biaggio Arcuria, EA (North Bay) Richard Lee Novac, EA (South Bay) Gina Brown (Far Northern) Noreen Barry, EA (Sacramento Valley) Cheryl Rusting, EA (North Bay) Elaine Casselle (Elko, NV) Tim Baze, EA (South Bay) Matthew Stevens, EA (South Bay) Jacqueline DiSalvo (Mission) Mary S. Caldwell, EA (Central California) Lina Van Scherrenburg, EA (Mission) Claudia Duran (Los Angeles) Jennifer A. Collins-Swayne, EA (Sacramento Valley) David A. Ward, EA (Orange County) Patricia D. Hall (Golden Gate) Tricia F. Gerard, EA (Sacramento Valley) Professional Affiliates Nina Mauricio (East Bay) Peter J. Globe, EA (Orange County) Hugh Hoskins, CPA (Inland Empire) Elizabeth Mestrich (East Bay) Irma Lozano (San Gabriel Valley) Eugeneah Kim, EA (Mission) Eduardo Neri (Big Valley) S. R. Lockwood, EA (Orange County) Professional Associates Barbara Pettingell (Palomar) Elizabeth Marie Lystrup, EA (Sacramento Valley) Christina Andrade (Mission) Maria Reyes (Sacramento Valley) David Lewis Murphy, EA (South Bay) Wanda Bourgeois-Phillips (Sacramento Valley) If You were the Judge — Correct Answer answer – A 46 months in prison and ordered to pay $827,582 in restitution. 28 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Donate to CSEA Education Foundation Auction One great way to support the CSEA Education Foundation is by making a donation to the annual Online Auction, which takes place between October 1 and November 30. Some examples of previous items donated are a handmade quilt, hot air balloon ride, gift baskets, seminars, books, vacation packages, a wine tasting party, ski packages, wine, gift certificates, hotel stays and event tickets. Be creative and create your own package or gift basket. For more information, go to www.cseaeducationfoundation.org and click on the Donations link, or call the CSEA office at 800/777-2732 or 916/366-6646. Donations can also be mailed to the Education Foundation at 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, CA 95827-2513. Members Member Classified Ads Member classified ads can be posted directly on the CSEA website at www.csea.org/resources-classified.asp. TAX PRACTICE FOR SALE Retiring EA with approximately 700 clients desires experienced EA/CPA to buy growing year-round tax practice. Renewable lease, great location in the City of Campbell, Santa Clara County, CA. Seller will assist during transition. Contact Jon at 408/377-9703. EXPERIENCED EA SEEKING POSITION EA with 20 years’ experience in private practice is looking for a position in the Stockton/Sacramento area. Please contact Mitchell Friedman at 209/227-8777. TAX PRACTICE SOUGHT Looking to buy practice in Southern California or partner up with someone. I have 20 years of tax and IRS negotiation experience, and specialize in tax and small business. Interested parties contact Rick Salter at 760/917-2618 or by email at [email protected]. Members, Associates, and Affiliates of CSEA and Members of NAEA may advertise in this section; rates are $1 per line (or partial line) per issue, minimum $5. Ads for Help Wanted or Position Wanted are run at no cost in issues cover-dated November/December through March/April (5 line maximum). A line consists of 38 characters. The deadline for classified ads is the first of the month two months prior to the cover date (e.g., the deadline for the November/December issue is September 1). Email ads to [email protected] with the subject line CSEA CLASSIFIEDS or mail with check to CSEA, 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, CA 95827-2513. Advertisements in this section are limited to employment, equipment, or practices for sale or purchase, office rental or shares, or other non-commercial Member messages. Advertisements for services, products, or educational events must run as display advertising; contact CSEA for rates. Each submitted advertisement is accepted at CSEA’s sole discretion. PAID ADVERTISEMENT July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 29 September 2011 digiTAX Webinar October 2011 digiTAX Webinar Registered Domestic Partner Taxation - A Primer Ethical Issues in Tax Preparation Wednesday, September 7 from 11:00 AM – 12:40 PM, PDT Cost: CPE Offered: Target Audience: Learning Level: $75/Members; $115/Non-Members IRS/NAEA/CSEA, CTEC 100-CE-6839: 2 Federal Hours EAs, CPAs, CFPs and anyone wishing to learn the “A-Z” of RDP personal tax returns. Intermediate Session Description: In this comprehensive session, we will cover all aspects of RDP and legal same sex married couple taxation, from its beginnings with the FTB, to its current sorry state of affairs with the IRS. Participants should leave the session with the confidence and ability to help clients affected by the new filing requirements. Learning Objectives: • The history, both CA and IRS, of RDP taxation, and its pertinence to filing the return. • Defining community property - and the undefined issues we still face as practitioners. • The impact of DOMA on the positions you may need to take. • Preparing the RDP returns, using real life examples. • Troubleshooting the many loose ends each return will present. • Amend back years, or not? How to advise the client. • A complete community property spreadsheet and how to teach the client to use it. • New developments • Q and A Speaker: Cynthia Leachmoore, EA, has been preparing taxes since 1994. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and teaches sole proprietor and choices of entity classes for the IRS. Cynthia lectures and writes about registered domestic partner taxation, and is an active advocate for Publication 555 reform. She shares a practice with her husband in Santa Cruz County. Wednesday, October 5 from 11:00 AM – 12:40 PM, PDT Cost: CPE Offered: $75/Members; $115/Non-Members IRS/NAEA/CSEA, CTEC 100-CE-6865: 2 Federal Hours Target Audience: Learning Level: EAs, Unenrolled Preparers Basic Session Description: Ethical Issues in Tax Preparation is designed for tax preparers and practitioners alike, covering many common problems and issues that can arise when working in the world of tax preparation and limited practice before the IRS. Students will gain a greater understanding of the new preparer regulations and long-standing industry requirements and responsibilities such as: due diligence, conflicting interests, standards with respect to tax returns and documents, written advice, safeguarding client data/use & disclosure regulations, and the numerous preparer penalties and sanctions for failure to follow the rules. Students will also be given a number of “real world” ethical dilemmas to analyze, which will help them stay in compliance as situations arise in their tax practices. Learning Objectives: • Gain in-depth understanding of the new federal return preparer provisions as well as the latest information from CTEC for tax professionals • Acquire or enhance their knowledge of Circular 230 duties and restrictions, including due diligence, conflicting interests, and standards for tax returns and documents • Analyze real-world examples that arise in the context of tax preparation and IRS audit representation (limited practice) Speaker: Jennifer MacMillan has been an Enrolled Agent since 1994 and owns a practice in Santa Barbara, California, specializing in individual income tax preparation and tax representation services. Ms. MacMillan has been a panelist on “The Today Show” (with Matt Lauer, Jean Chatzky and Ann Curry), “Tax Talk Today” (IRS’ live monthly webcast for practitioners) and teaches on a variety of subjects for CSEA, NAEA, and Spidell Publishing, Inc. Additionally, she has been a contributing author for the EA Journal, California Enrolled Agent , and CCH’s Tax Practice and Procedure. A Past President of CSEA, Jennifer is active in various leadership roles at CSEA and NAEA. 30 July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent Premier Agency Inc. DBA Placer Insurance Agency. July/August 2011 | California Enrolled Agent 31 “Instructors are smart, entertaining, and they know their material. By far the best value!” Choose Spidell’s Fall Federal and California Tax Update Seminar. It only takes a day to be ready for tax season! Trust your update to the California company that has specialized in tax — especially California tax — for over 35 years! — Kevin M. Young, MBA, EA Sacramento Call toll free (800) 277-2257 to register for Spidell’s Fall Federal and California Tax Update Seminar and save $15! Also, mention CSEA and we’ll send you a special bonus gift when you register by August 31! Day Date City Venue Day Date City Venue Monday Nov. 14 Modesto DoubleTree Modesto Monday Dec. 19 Oakland Hilton Oakland Airport Tuesday Nov. 15 Concord Hilton Concord Monday Dec. 19 Burbank Pickwick Gardens Tuesday Nov. 15 Bakersfield DoubleTree Bakersfield Tuesday Jan. 3 Costa Mesa Hilton Costa Mesa Wednesday Nov. 16 San Rafael Embassy Suites San Rafael Wednesday Jan. 4 Stockton Hilton Stockton Wednesday Nov. 16 San Luis Obispo Alex Madonna Expo Center Thursday Jan. 5 Berkeley DoubleTree Berkeley Marina Thursday Nov. 17 Oxnard Residence Inn River Ridge Friday Jan. 6 Valencia Hyatt Regency Valencia Friday Nov. 18 Escondido California Center for the Arts Friday Jan. 6 Milpitas Embassy Suites Milpitas Friday Nov. 18 Burbank Pickwick Gardens Monday Jan. 9 Del Mar Hilton Del Mar Monday Nov. 21 City of Industry Pacific Palms Conference Resort Monday Jan. 9 Sacramento DoubleTree Sacramento New location Monday Nov. 28 Sacramento DoubleTree Sacramento New location Tuesday Jan. 10 So. San Francisco So. San Francisco Conference Center Tuesday Nov. 29 So. San Francisco So. San Francisco Conference Center Tuesday Jan. 10 Pasadena Hilton Pasadena Thursday Dec. 1 Fresno Radisson Fresno Wednesday Jan. 11 Culver City DoubleTree L.A. Westside - Formerly Radisson Monday Dec. 5 Monterey Embassy Suites Monterey Bay Thursday Jan. 12 Santa Rosa Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa Monday Dec. 5 Cathedral City Doral Desert Princess Resort Friday Jan. 13 Westlake Village Hyatt Westlake Plaza Tuesday Dec. 6 Rohnert Park DoubleTree Sonoma Friday Jan. 13 Long Beach Long Beach Marriott Wednesday Dec. 7 Ontario DoubleTree Ontario New location Monday Jan. 16 San Ramon San Ramon Marriott Thurdsay Dec. 8 San Diego Scottish Rite Event Center Monday Jan. 16 Sacramento Radisson Sacramento New location Monday Dec. 12 Torrance Torrance Marriott Tuesday Jan. 17 Anaheim Hilton Anaheim Monday Dec. 12 Santa Barbara Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort Wednesday Jan. 18 Woodland Hills Warner Center Marriott Tuesday Dec. 13 Culver City DoubleTree L.A. Westside - Formerly Radisson Thursday Jan. 19 Burbank Pickwick Gardens Wednesday Dec. 14 Woodland Hills Warner Center Marriott Friday Jan. 20 San Jose DoubleTree San Jose Thursday Dec. 15 Anaheim Anaheim Mariott Monday Jan. 23 San Diego Scottish Rite Event Center Friday Dec. 16 San Jose DoubleTree San Jose Tuesday Jan. 24 Riverside Riverside Convention Center Seminar includes free parking, continental breakfast and lunch Pricing before November 1: $209 Pricing after November 1: $224 Spidell Publishing, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web Site: www. nasba.org. This seminar is designed to meet the requirements for 8 hours of continuing education for the California Board of Accountancy. Basic Level. Field of Study: Taxes. Delivery method: Group Live. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints or refunds, contact Spidell Publishing at (714) 776-7850. There are no prerequisites or advanced preparation required. This seminar is designed to meet the requirements for 4 hours of California and 4 hours of federal continuing education for tax preparers; 8 hours for CPAs, PAs, EAs, and CFPs; and 6.75 hours for attorneys. Experienced ... Trusted ... Connected! 32 July/August 2011 Tel: (714) 776-7850 | www.caltax.com | California Enrolled Agent
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