Dear Elizabeth,

It’s been an extremely busy week at the Society, and I’m happy to report that our 2015 season is in full swing!

We held our Annual State Tax Conference in Framingham on Tuesday which, in response to your comments from the previous year, was offered in a new format - running current sessions to allow for more course options.

I enjoyed the opportunity to see so many members and learn from true experts. I found each session fascinating but given today’s difficult budget situation, I was struck by the relevance of the luncheon keynote presentation by Harley Duncan. His analysis of state revenue growth, potential tax legislation and the politics behind it all was a good reminder of the impacts each of these variables has on our working lives and the profession as a whole. If you attended, tell us what you thought of the conference by taking this short survey.

Also this week, we held networking events at Boston’s Bastille Kitchen and in Worcester at VIA Italian Table. It was great to have so many members throughout the state expanding their networks and taking steps to make 2015 their best professional year yet!

While the next few months will be busy for many of you during tax season, our staff will be planning our exciting spring and summer programs. If you have any feedback for events you’d like to see, please let us know.

Have a great weekend.

Eileen P. McAnneny, Esq.
President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
• Phone Scams Continue to be a Serious Threat for 2015 Filing Season
• Phishing Remains on the IRS “Dirty Dozen” List of Tax Scams for the 2015 Filing Season
• Free File Launches; Helps Taxpayers with New Health Care Law
• IRS Starts 2015 Tax Season

DOR Update
• Individual Mandate Penalties for Tax Year 2015

Experts Suggest $1 Billion More in Taxes for FY16
Economists and DOR officials testified that state tax revenues will continue to see modest growth in fiscal year 2016, netting the state an additional $1 billion in tax revenues.

CPE:

Cashing in on New Regulations: New Tangible Property Regulations InfoShare
So popular, we added another date and location!
There is a good deal of confusion about the new Tangible Property Regulations (TPRs.) Many commercial property owners and their financial advisors are unclear about the rules of compliance and the potential benefit to property owners. This discussion will focus on those conditions that justify expense elections (IRS 1.263) and disposition elections (IRS 1.168) including unit of property as a measure of materiality, the conditions that dictate capitalization and a review of Safe Harbor and De Minimus opportunities. Finally, we will discuss the immediate action steps that are necessary to be in compliance.

Register for one of the following sessions:

Wednesday, January 28 in Braintree

Wednesday, February 4 in Woburn

NETWORKING:

Upcoming Committee Meetings
• Federal Taxation (1/27)
• Accounting & Auditing (1/28)

South Shore Breakfast Forum (1/29)
Join MSCPA member Jason Goloboy, CPA of Kevin P. Martin & Associates for a state tax update.

Photos: Women in Great Places: An Evening of Networking in Law and Finance
Over 90 women attended Wednesday’s joint networking event with the Women’s Bar Association at Bastille Kitchen in Boston. Special thanks to our event sponsors: ADP, ProVisors and U.S. Wealth Management.

MEMBERSHIP:

Are You "On Board"?
Do you currently serve on a board of directors (either nonprofit or corporate) or do you aspire to serve on a board in the future? Please complete this very brief survey to help us  learn more about our memberships’ board service. Your feedback will help us determine if we should organize educational and networking events to help MSCPA members “get on board.”

Apply Online for an MSCPA Ed Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships are available for both undergrad and grad students and can be used at the discretion of the individual. The deadline for receipt of materials is April 1, and awards will be presented at the MSCPA Annual Meeting and Recognition Reception on May 14 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. The application is available online and requires little time to complete.

Financial Assistance for CPA Exam Candidates
Are you a Massachusetts resident who is planning to sit for the exam between May 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016?  Each year the Society holds a lottery to provide $400 to 10 exam candidates who do not receive employer assistance for fees.

Temporary Job Postings
Looking for temporary work? Employers post temporary and seasonal job opportunities on our website almost daily. Browse to find the right position, or post your temporary position for free. 

NEWS & EVENTS:

What You Need to Know for This Tax Season
Get all the information on the top issues tax practitioners need to know for the 2015 filing season.

Using Thought Leadership Marketing to Build Your Practice
Share your in-house experts' knowledge to raise your firm's profile in the public eye.

7 Reasons Why Your Profile Does Not Get Views
25 million LinkedIn profiles are viewed every day - a large number, but is your profile one of them? Here are seven reasons for low profile views, low inquiries and slow business growth.