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Dear Elizabeth,

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to serve as interim CEO for the next few months. As you know, Eileen McAnneny recently left to assume a new position as CEO for the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. The search for our next President and CEO is underway, and I will continue to update you as we move forward in the process.

As I step into this role with nearly 40 years at the Society, I am acutely aware of the opportunities and challenges facing our members, the profession we support and the communities we serve. I am particularly excited about this opportunity because I believe the Society can offer a unified voice for the profession in Massachusetts, serve as a champion to the great work being done by our members and be your local professional home.

The Society remains strong and vibrant, and our staff is planning for a busy spring and summer. Over the next few months, Society staff will guest post in this space, giving you an inside look at what we're doing. Also, this month we will introduce four new member benefits that will help you and your firms grow. Now is a great time to be a member, and I look forward to working for and with you in the coming months!

Beth Lyons, CAE
Interim President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
• IRS Launches Directory of Tax Return Preparers
• Facts About Making Shared Responsibility Payments
• Health Care Law - What’s New for Individuals & Families
• Filing Fake Documents to Hide Income
• Abusive Tax Shelters Again on the IRS “Dirty Dozen” List
• Falsifying Income to Claim Tax Credits
• Excessive Claims for Fuel Tax Credits

DOR Update
• January Revenue Collections Total $2.58 Billion

MA Senate Launches Series of Statewide Forums
The MA Senate kicked off a series of statewide forums in Western MA on Wednesday. These forums present a great opportunity for our members to share their ideas for the session, including the Society’s legislative priorities. If you’re interested in attending, let us know! We’ll join you!

Gov. Baker Address Budget Gap, Tax Amnesty
Governor Charlie Baker announced Tuesday a plan to close the estimated $768 million budget gap with roughly $500 million in spending cuts, savings through eligibility re-determinations within the state’s Medicaid program, and $250 million in new revenues. Baker’s plan will divert $131 million in proceeds from the capital gains tax from the state’s stabilization fund and a corporate tax amnesty program.

CPE:

Our Top Webinars
• Finance Basics for Accounting Professionals (2/7)

• Ethics and Our Profession - Our Role as Stewards (2/11)

• Guide to Email, Record Retention, Destruction (2/12)

Want more webinars? Click here to view the full list. 

NETWORKING:

Upcoming Committee Meeting
• Governmental Accounting & Auditing (2/13)

MEMBERSHIP:

Students: Apply Online for an MSCPA 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 a $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:

Join our Tax Season Media List
Throughout tax season, reporters looking to interview CPAs for tax stories contact the MSCPA. You could be featured in prominent publications such as Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Business Journal and more! To join our tax season media list, contact Elizabeth Emanuelson, eemanuelson@mscpaonline.org.

Women Face Unique Retirement Challenges
Although it is improving, there is an economic cost to being a woman that reverberates into retirement. It results from multiple long-term socioeconomic conditions.

How to Become the Most Interesting Accountant in 6 Steps
Accountants are not boring—but sometimes they need a little help in putting the right foot forward.

CPAs List Top 10 Tax Mistakes
CPAs in Minnesota were recently surveyed about the most outrageous tax deductions clients have tried to take on their tax returns. The answers included everything from pets and weddings to cars impounded by police.

If You Want Millennial Employees, Then Build a Millennial Office
Today's workers have their own ways of working—and they expect their accounting offices to match them.