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From the President
HOLD ‘EM or FOLD ‘EM
By Rodney J. Couts, EA, President
I bid bon voyage today to a very dear friend. For the last sixteen years, we have walked our dogs, solved the worlds problems and enjoyed the gorgeous sunsets of our coastal community together.
Although an octogenarian, she has a sound mind, strong body and an incredible intellect, my friend made the decision to move back to the East Coast to be closer to her children and grandchildren while she can do so on her terms. She is moving into assisted living, although at present there is no need. She is planning ahead, recognizing that someday there may be limitations. I admire her courage. Facetime will hopefully bridge our divide!
The teaching moment here is that we all face limitations, including in our tax practices. Our Herculean souls wish to do everything we can for our clients, and sometimes that just isn’t the right thing to do. We must recognize that we all have a line in the sand that we must not cross, but more importantly have the courage to not cross it.
Earlier this week I spoke with Patrick Martin, president of the Taxation Section of the Bar of California. Our conversation revolved around the issue of knowing when we need to punt to the next level of expertise, but when doing so it being in a collaborative environment. We also talked about the need to understand each other’s perspective, and how we can turn that understanding into an advantage for both of us.
I get calls almost daily from clients and prospective clients seeking my counsel on a variety of issues, some being more complex than others. I’ve learned to recognize that when I’m getting in over my head, I need to pause, regroup, and think of the alternative. I used to believe it was a failure to think this way, but no longer.
If I’m asked a question by my client where my knowledge level isn’t complete, I ask myself “Am I really doing this client a favor?” Our job is to be always doing what’s best for our client. I urge you to plant this thought into everything you do with your clients.
CSTC offers hundreds of CE credit hours annually on both the state and chapter level. Our goal is to make every tax professional we can as complete a tax professional as possible. We accomplish this mission through a network of fifteen local chapters, Society live-course offerings and online education. When we take advantage of educational offerings, we can narrow the knowledge gap, more importantly gain a better ability to recognize when the situation requires us to punt.
By participating in the terrific membership interaction within CSTC, we also learn who can fill the void when we need to make that decision. I made two referrals yesterday and I trust I’ve made the right decision because I know these people from being a part of my local North San Diego County chapter.
As for my friend, I’m am going to miss her. But I will be forever thankful that our relationship has given me a lifetime lesson I will never forget.
Welcome New CSTC Members!
Please help us in joining our newest CSTC Members!
Rayna Barber
Sacramento Chapter
Karen Bennett
East County San Diego Chapter
Michael Cherrington
Sacramento Chapter
Travis Deane
San Diego Chapter
Suaima Figueroa
San Francisco Bay Chapter
Norma Foerder
San Francisco Bay Chapter
Jeffrey Halbert
North County San Diego Chapter
Danielle Huang
Orange County Chapter
Emily Jones
San Francisco Bay Chapter
Susan Ketterer
San Francisco Bay Chapter
Rochens Lin
San Jose Chapter
Madonna Peterson
Sacramento Chapter
Margarita Rodriguez
San Francisco Bay Chapter
Malcolm Toms
San Diego Chapter
Carol Yee
Sacramento Chapter
July Chapter Events
July 9, 2018
CSTC Board of Directors Meeting
Virtual Meeting
July 10, 2018
East County San Diego Chapter
Topic: Electronic Workpapers
1 Federal Update Hour
East County San Diego Chapter
Topic: Death and Taxes
2 Federal Law Hours
July 11, 2018
San Francisco Bay Chapter
Topic: Reverse Mortgages, Installment Sales, and Other Oddities--The Crazy Real Estate Tax Questions Our Clients Bring Us!
2 Federal Law Hours
Orange County Chapter
Topic: New Tax Law on Corporations and S Corporations
2 Federal Law Hours
Temecula Valley Chapter
Topic: IRS Correspondence
2 Federal Law Hours
July 12, 2018
San Gabriel Valley Chapter
Topic: Foreign Taxes
2 Federal Update Hours
North County San Diego Chapter
Topic: Now That The Client Has Died, What is Your Responsibility?
1 Federal Law Hour, 1 California Hour
July 18, 2018
Inland Empire Chapter
Topic: Shannon's Hall of Tax Curiosities
2 Federal Law Hours
July 19, 2018
San Diego Chapter
Topic: 1031 Exchanges
2 Federal Law Hours
July 24, 2018
Orange County South Chapter
Topic: Business Tax Law Changes Under the TCJA of 2017
2 Federal Update Hours
July 25, 2018
Greater Long Beach Chapter
Topic and Hours TBA
Register Now For The 2018 Fall Tax and Accounting Forum!
Topic: Partnerships and LLC's
Date: Friday & Saturday, Septemebr 21-22, 2018
Location: The Grand, 4101 E. Willow Street, Long Beach, CA 90815
Schedule Coming Soon!
Fees: Early Bird (Until Aug. 1) After Aug. 1
Members $199 $225
Staff $219 $250
Non-Members $249 $285
Join the California Society of Tax Consultants!
Click here to fill out an online application.
CSTC advances professionalism within the tax industry by:
- Providing quality education
- Creating networking opportunities
- Advocating professional standards
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