Far Northern California
Chapter of Enrolled Agents
November 2013
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with their family and friends. Stay safe if you venture out on the Black Friday weekend. It is sure to be a mob!!
It was great to see so many of you at our Gear Up tax seminar this month. We had two great speakers this year and had about as much fun as one could have at a two day seminar. Deb Black was the grand prize winner of the vendor drawing and it just happened to be her birthday. She went away with a certificate for a free 2014 two day seminar!!!
The annual dinner at Cattlemans was fabulous as usual and our guest of honor was Patricia Kappen, EA who is the President of CSEA this year. President Kappen presented awards to Rose Hablitzel, EA and Ardis Smith, EA for their tireless contributions to FNCC, CSEA and NAEA. They are truly extraordinary members!!!
Thank you Rose and Ardis.
Sincerely, Michele Williams, EA
Board Meetings and Roundtable Schedules
Dec 04, 2013 - Board Meeting: 9:30am Rose Hablitzel’s Office 208 Elm St., Red Bluff
Redding Roundtable: 12:00pm Lulu’s Restaurant 2230 Pine St, Rdg Subject Office in Home
Dec 05, 2013 - Chico Roundtable: 8:00am Cozy Diner 1695 Mangrove Ave, Chico
Subject: Trust Fund Recovery
Jan 01, 2013 - Redding Roundtable: - No Roundtable
Jan 02, 2013 - Chico Roundtable: 8:00am Cozy Diner 1695 Mangrove Ave, Chico
Subject: Obama Care
Feb 05, 2013 - Redding Roundtable: 12:00pm Lulu’s Restaurant 2230 Pine St, Rdg
Feb 06, 2013 - Chico Roundtable: 8:00am Cozy Diner 1695 Mangrove Ave., Chico
Upcoming CONTINUING
EDUCATION SCHEDULE
****Note: You MUST give your PTIN number when registering or you will NOT receive your CE Certificate.
Cal Fed Last Chance Update »
January 08, 2014
Back by popular demand....This is your last chance! Important planning for 2014!
Gear Up speaker Abe Carnow, presents this course for the busy tax professional that needs to know the essentials of important changes from the previous year, including recent tax law changes, court cases and IRS rulings. The federal government continues to be very active with regard to changes in the tax law and this has a major impact on preparing California tax returns. In addition, California will have several of its own.
Total CPE hours include 4 hours Federal Tax Update and 5 hours California Tax Update.
The Seminar will be held at the Holiday Inn, 1900 Hilltop Dr., Redding, Lunch is included. Seminar hours are 8am to 5pm, Early Bird registration postmark by 12/10/13, Members $190 / Non Members $205, Regular registrations between 12/11/13 until 01/02/14, Members $210 / Non Members $225, after 1/02/14, $275 for everyone. Register online at FNCC.org or contact 530-605-0144 for more information. Flyers have been mailed.
Renewal season is underway for enrolled agents
with SSNs ending in 4, 5, or 6
IRS will be sending reminders via email to people with preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs) who have listed an EA credential on their PTIN account and whose SSNs end in these numbers.
The emails will begin tomorrow and will contain the text in the first attachment. The second attachment is the letter that will be placed in their PTIN account secure mailbox.
Additionally, the Detroit Office of Enrollment recently implemented a new toll-free number. The number is 855-472-5540 and is open from 7:30 to 5:00 Eastern Standard Time. (The number on IRS.gov will be updated shortly.)
Please cascade to your organization's members.
Marc Zine, IRS Stakeholder Liaison
SEE STUDENTS WANTED NOW
Part II now in progress
Increase your earning potential! Become an Enrolled Agent. Regulations continue to increase for tax preparers. Be prepared and take the plunge! Do it today!
Dates: Part 2 – in progress (Tuesdays)
Times: 6pm to 9pm
Location: Rose Hablitzel’s office: 208 Elm St., Red Bluff.
Tuition costs: Parts 1 & 2 $400.00 each, Part 3 $300.00 Material costs: $428.00 + shipping & tax
Students can also sign up for online courses at NAEA’s website. Class details contact Rose Hablitzel @ 530-527-8225 or email .
Do you know someone who would like to become an Enrolled Agent?
NAEA, CSEA and FNCC all have Scholarship funds set aside to financially help cover a portion of the education costs for those wishing to become an Enrolled Agent. Check out the following websites and telephone numbers for more information or copy the following links to access Scholarship applications: FNCC: 530-547-4474 Contact William Reilly, EA
NAEA.Org: 202-822-6232
http://www.naea.org/NR/rdonlyres/800C71BF-8AD5-4858-B508-C89C508CD5D9/0/2008_SEE_Scholarship_Application.doc
CSEA.Org: 800-777-2732
http://www.csea.org/Portals/0/S-1%20Final%20non-EAs..pdf
CSEA Education Foundation
The primary purpose of the Foundation is to foster, improve and provide access to tax related information and services available to the general public through education programs and scholarships aimed at increasing the knowledge of current Enrolled Agents and potential EA candidates. There are two types of scholarships available. 1) California residents not currently or previously licensed as EAs are eligible to apply for a scholarship for tuition, including registration fees and books, for courses in the field of taxation, finance, or accounting, particularly courses specifically designed for Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) preparation. 2) Current California EAs who wish to broaden their knowledge in the field of taxation are eligible to apply for a scholarship for appropriate courses. Scholarships are NOT awarded for courses necessary to maintain Continuing Professional Education hour requirements, but are specifically intended for courses that expand the field of knowledge and expertise. Examples of appropriate courses include Tax Court, NTPI, C Star, etc. More information and Scholarship applications can be found at www.cseaeducationfoundation.org. Scholarship Awards and Foundation operating expenses are funded through the generosity of the Members of the California Society of Enrolled Agents and by sponsors, donors, and bidders of the Foundation’s annual Auction. Contributions to the CSEA Education Foundation are deductible for tax purposes.
Donations of cash and merchandise can be made year round. For more information contact CSEA at 800-777-2732 or 916-366-6646.
CSEA/NAEA POLITICAL ACTION COMMTTEE:
(pictured right, Senator Ted Gaines, Rose Hablitzel, EA, center and William Reilly, EA, left)
The PAC has contributed too many legislators such as Senator Ted Gaines, (Redding Area), who are either on tax or budget committees. These legislators know what Enrolled Agents do and are interested in working with us. We are spending our budgeted amount and are in need to generate more funds to keep this action going. We are developing great relationships with these legislators that are in turn working with us on relevant and significant concerns of Enrolled Agents. Please donate and give generously to the NAEA PAC. Your dollars are working for you! Any contributions over $50 will receive a lapel pin from the NAEA PAC. Please make your contributions out to "NAEA PAC". Or, you may contribute to CSEA’s PAC for any amount and receive a CSEA pin. All members are encouraged to contribute since the PAC works for all Enrolled Agents and their Affiliates! Contact Rose Hablitzel, EA for further questions: 530-527-8225.
In The News:
NAEA is asking you to look for your EA card and to determine whether you are "in cycle," which is a term of art meaning that you need to renew your license to practice. Please do not confuse renewing a PTIN -- which each EA must do annually -- with renewing your license to practice, which each EA generally must do every three years.
Those in renewal cycle may renew by going to pay.gov and entering 8554 in the search engine.
Two things to keep in mind:
1. Do NOT use the Form 8554EP, which is for enrolled retirement plan agents.
2. All EAs with SSNs terminating in 4, 5, or 6 must renew between now and January 31, 2014.
If you are a new EA, look at item 2 above twice. While EAs renew every three years, an EA's first renewal cycle generally will be MUCH shorter than three years.
Thanks for your membership in NAEA and for helping us Power America's Tax Experts!®
Another New Member Discount! OfficeMax Partner Advantage
NAEA has just teamed up with OfficeMax® to introduce the OfficeMax Partner AdvantageSM Program. As a member of NAEA, you will enjoy substantial savings from 31% to 88% off of the manufacturers' list price on your most frequently purchased items. You will also receive discounts on certain OfficeMax Print and Document services. Start saving today on office supplies, furniture, technology and printing services.
Online: www.officemaxworkplace.com
Username: 344881reguser890
Password: V3rtir0113r
Phone: 800.636.2377
NAEA: Sample Engagement Letters and More
In addition to the great resources to promote the EA profession and your business, the Tools for Members section of the NAEA website has plenty of documents to aid your practice, including that oh-so-important engagement letter. Here is what you'll find under Sample Documents and Letters (you must first log into the site to access this page):
· Fee Agreement Engagement Letter
· Audit Engagement Letter
· Collections Engagement Letter
· Privacy Policy Engagement Letter
· Disclosure and Waiver of Potential Related-Party Conflict of Interest
· Mandatory Internal Revenue Code 7216 Disclosure and Consent
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Check out our live commercials now airing on fncc’s website! They will run January through April 2014 promoting the “Enrolled Agent” profession.
Would you like your name advertised as an Enrolled Agent in your area? Let us know and we will list your name, address, phone number and specialty on your chapter’s website. Contact Karol Read, CRTP at .
M
EMBERSHIP Benefits
NAEA and CSEA are YOUR advocates in Congress and your personal representative in all facets of your profession! Below are some of the numerous benefits that NAEA/CSEA and your local chapter offer our members.
►discounts on tax/education materials ►discounted seminar fees (savings up to $75)
►discounted Quickfinder or Tax Book(s) ►discounted 2 hours of Ethics including lunch
►member to member mentoring & networking ►CSEA magazine / EA Journal
►redesigned website with the ►safe harbor disclosures/disclaimer sample
latest E Tools on CSEA’s website letters & much more on the website
►FREE CE at monthly roundtables ►extensive representation/liaison federal & State
►NAEA $65 membership discount for a ►reduced annual member dinner
Our Organization:
Michele Williams, EA President 221-7960 Fax 221-5736
Rex Cerro, Vice President 527-8225 Fax 527-1006
Sandra Lamberson, EA Secretary and Newsletter 547-4474 Fax 547-3004
Mary Ann Beguin, EA Treasurer 242-6278 Fax 242-6935
William Reilly, EA Director, Redding Area 547-4474 Fax 547-3004
Tracie Hannick, EA Director, Chico Area 893-0859 Fax 893-2643
Ardis Smith, EA State Director 824-1040 Fax 824-0594
Rose Hablitzel, EA Immediate Past President 527-8225 Fax 527-1006
Karol Read PIA Redding/Chico & Website 894-4041 Fax 894-5622
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