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Dear Elizabeth,

When I first emailed you earlier this month, just after I was named interim President/CEO, I encouraged you to make the most of your membership. I have spent the last month meeting with members and trying to learn as much as possible about how the Society can better serve you. And, for me, this is particularly new and exciting.

Here is what I’ve learned so far. First, we have made considerable progress in recent months. As you may know, the Society unveiled its first legislative agenda, putting forth several bills on behalf of our members for the 2015/2016 legislative session. The agenda was formed with comments and suggestions from you, raising the profession’s profile on Beacon Hill. We also launched On-Demand CPE, offering immediate online access to a host of hot topics. This option is a way for busy CPAs to quickly earn CPE credit, making it possible for you to stay informed during tax season.

To connect you with your peers across the state, we’ve also added new dates to our popular Sip & Socialize events, which are coming to Boston and Worcester in May. Once busy season is over, I encourage you to come out and network with fellow CPAs and lawyers.

Second, although we have made commendable progress, there is much, much more that needs to be done. We are all part of something larger—a profession whose history is deep and rich and whose future is as dependent on us as we are on those who have come before us. Earlier this week, Society leaders met with candidates for our next President/CEO who share this vision and are eager to step up our efforts to bring the Society – and especially you, our members – new-found success.

As we enter March (which hopefully brings more sunshine than snow), I invite you to take advantage of the new opportunities available to MSCPA members, and I ask you to share your ideas with us for other ways we can help you realize your goals. 

Beth Lyons, CAE
Interim President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
• IRS Releases Guidance on “Cadillac” Tax
• IRS Won’t Penalize Taxpayers with Wrong Insurance Info
• Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Members Selected

DOR Updates
• Mid-February Tax Collections Up $101 Million
• DOR To Provide Additional Layers of Scrutiny to Address Fraud Concerns
• Sales/Use Tax on Sale and Installation of a Ski Lift 

Majority of Taxpayers with Obamacare Need to Pay Back Portion
H&R Block finds taxpayers who received health insurance tax subsidies needed to repay an average of $530, decreasing their tax refund on average by 17%.

Rodrigues, Kaufman Reappointed Chairs of Revenue Committee
Senator Michael Rodrigues and Representative Jay Kaufman have been reappointed to serve as Chairs of the Joint Committee on Revenue. The Committee is charged with considering all bills relative to taxation and measures to influence state revenues. Rodrigues has served as the Senate Chair since 2012 and Kaufman has served as House Chair since 2009.

CPE:

Save the Date!
• June 2, 2015 – Accounting & Auditing Conference –  Waltham
• June 3, 2015 – Alternative Investments InfoShare – Boston
• June 12, 2015 – Government Accounting & Auditing Conference – Framingham

Our committees are busy putting the final touches on the agendas; stay tuned for full program details and registration!

NETWORKING:

Young Professional After Tax Season Bash (4/23)
Think spring! Celebrate the end of tax season at the MSCPA's Annual Young Professional After Tax Season Bash on Thursday, April 23 at the Atlantic Beer Garden. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and two complimentary drink tickets. Pre-register by Friday, April 18 to enter to win tickets to the Young Professional Red Sox Event on August 20!

MEMBERSHIP:

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.

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 a $400 to 10 exam candidates who do not receive employer assistance for fees.

VIDEO: NECN Interview with MSCPA Member
NECN interviewed MSCPA member Norman Posner on the top mistakes taxpayers make. To join the MSCPA's tax season media list and receive similar opportunities, email Elizabeth Emanuelson.

Speaking Opportunity: MIT Graduate School
The MIT student council is holding a tax filing tips information session for graduate students on March 10 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. They are looking for CPAs to volunteer as panelists to present general tax filing tips and the most common problems faced by graduate students. A 30-minute networking session will follow the panel to give students the opportunity to ask specific questions in a one-on-one structure. Please email Kara Kieran to learn more.

NEWS & EVENTS:

The Secret Tax Lives of the Rich and Famous
Singers, actors and professional athletes get in complicated money situations that confuse even advisers with CPAs and law degrees. Here’s why: the costs of doing show business.

Survey: Americans Get Low Grade on Income Tax Knowledge
The average U.S. adult scored 51% on a personal finance quiz related to federal income taxes, according to NerdWallet. 

Seven Habits of Organized People
We all know that one friend or coworker who is super organized. Instead of hating that person, why not figure out how they do it?