CSTC's 2019 SUMMER TAX SYMPOSIUM

June 9-12, 2019
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Las Vegas, NV

Celebrating the 33rd Annual Symposium

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has transformed the landscape for tax professionals. Keeping up with the vast changes resulting from the new tax act can be daunting. The 2019 CSTC Summer Symposium will help to unravel the mysteries surrounding the adoption of the TCJA, help you to understand its impact on your practice, and better prepare you for addressing the needs of your valued clients. 

The CSTC Summer Symposium offers 72 CE hours of educational programming covering a broad range of topics that address the needs of most tax professionals, including CTEC preparers, Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys. Subject matters to be covered include best practices, Section 199(a),  California taxation, rental properties, representation, trusts and estates, ethics and more. 

We know you have choices when it comes to education. There’s the discount route, or you can choose the effective route. By attending the CSTC Summer Symposium, you not only expand your knowledge of tax, you also meet tax professionals from across the state who may someday be the answer to a difficult situation you encounter.

We look forward to helping your career when we see you at the 2019 CSTC Summer Symposium.


Quick Links


2019 Exhibitors / Sponsors



Exhibitors:

 
 
 

 

WANT TO EXHIBIT/SPONSOR AT THE 2019 SUMMER SYMPOSIUM? CLICK HERE!


Summer-Symposium Schedule-at-a-Glance

 

Sunday, June 9, 2019

3pm Registration Opens; Exhibitor Set-up
5:20pm-6pm Welcome Reception for First Time Attendees
6pm-9pm Welcome Dinner
This event is family friendly.
(Included with full registration. Guest registration is $40)
 

Monday, June 10, 2019

6:30am-5pm Registration and Exhibits
7:30am-9:00am Session 1: IRS Keynote Presentation and Breakfast
Scott Irick Deputy Director, Examination, Small Business/Self-Employed
9:15am-10:05am Breakout Sessions (all sessions will continue after the break):
  Session 2: 199A - Qualified Business Income Deduction
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
  Session 3: 1031 Exchanges and Their New Counterpart - Opportunity Zones
Ruth Godfrey, EA
  Session 4: Reporting K-1's for Tax
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 5: Toilets, Tenants & Trash: Capital Gains Tax Reduction Strategies
Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
10:05am-10:20am   Break with Exhibitors
10:20am-12:00pm Breakout Sessions (continued from before the break):
  Session 2 Continued: 199A - Qualified Business Income Deduction
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
  Session 3 Continued: 1031 Exchanges and Their New Counterpart - Opportunity Zones
Ruth Godfrey, EA
  Session 4 Continued: Reporting K-1's for Tax
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 5 Continued: Toilets, Tenants & Trash: Capital Gains Tax Reduction Strategies
Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
12:00pm-1:20pm Lunch on own
1:20pm-3:00pm  Breakout Sessions:
  Session 6: California Old School Differences
Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI Fellow
  Session 7: Advanced Schedule C Audits
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
  Session 8: The Sharing Economy
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 9: How to Serve Immigrant Mixed-Status Families
Antonio Martinez, EA
3:00pm-3:20pm Break with Exhibitors
3:20pm-5:00pm Session 10: Cryptocurrency, the IRS, and You
John Miller, EA
  Session 11: Marijuana Taxation in California
William Rogers, MBA, CFP, EA
  Session 12: Dependency in Depth
Shannon Hall, EA
  Session 13: Tax Issues for US Citizens Abroad
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
5:00pm-6:00pm Reception with Exhibitors
6:00pm Evening on Own
 

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

6:30am-5pm  Registration and Exhibits
7:30am-9:00am Session 14: California Keynote Presentation and Breakfast
Susan Maples, CPA, California Tax Payer Rights Advocate
9:00am-9:15am Break
9:15am-10:05am   Breakout Sessions (all sessions will continue after the break):
  Session 15: Appealing Decisions - Audit, OIC, Tax Court, Bankruptcy Court, Federal District Court
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
  Session 16: Everything S-Corp!
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 17: Baby, Oh Baby!
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 18: Engagement Letters
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
10:05am-10:20am Break with Exhibitors
10:20am-12:00pm Breakout Sessions (continued from before the break):
  Session 15 Continued: Appealing Decisions - Audit, OIC, Tax Court, Bankruptcy Court, Federal District Court
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
  Session 16 Continued: Everything S-Corp!
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 17 Continued: Baby, Oh Baby!
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 18 Continued: Engagement Letters
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
12:00pm-1:20 pm Lunch on own
1:20pm-3:00 pm Breakout Sessions:
  Session 19: Passive Activity Loss Limitations
Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI Fellow
  Session 20: What's my Character?
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
  Session 21: Domestic Tax Issues for Non-Resident Aliens
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
  Session 22: The Art and Science of Divorce Taxation in 2019
Armand D'Alo, EA, CFP, CDFA and Robbin D'Alo, EA, CLA, CDFA
3:00pm-3:20pm Break with Exhibitors
3:20pm-5:00pm Session 23: California: Do You see What I CA?
Shannon Hall, EA
  Session 24: Correcting Depreciation - Form 3115 Line-by-Line
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 25: Resident vs Nonresident Taxation Differences
Antonio Martinez, EA
  Session 26: Choice Of Entity. LLC, INC, LP, GP, SP - How To Choose?
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
5:30pm-6:30pm  **BONUS IRS SESSION ADDED!**
Data Security, Data Breach and the Aftermath – How tax professionals experience data theft and how to respond
Marc Zine, Senior Stakeholder Liaison and Katie Williams, Senior Stakeholder Liaison
 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

6:30am-5pm Registration and Exhibits
7:30am-9:00am  Session 27: Best Practices - Compliance and Documentation Presentation and Breakfast
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
Class to continue after the break
9:00am-9:15am  Break
9:15am-10:05am Session 27 Continued: Best Practices - Compliance and Documentation Presentation and Breakfast
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
10:05am-10:20am Break with Exhibitors
10:20am-12:00pm Breakout Sessions:
  Session 28: Compensatory Stock & LLC Benefits (Options RSU's, ESPP, Etc)
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 29: Fresh Starts - Installment Agreement, OIC, Tax Lien Relief, Bankruptcy, Innocent Spouse, Injured Spouse
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
  Session 30: How to Read a Trust
Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
  Session 31: Tax Penalties & Abatement
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
12:00pm-1:20pm Lunch on Own
1:20pm-3:00pm Session 32: Stump the Tax Experts
3:00pm-3:20pm Break
3:20pm-5:00pm Session 33: Ethics - What Would You Do?
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
5:15pm Grand Prize Drawing

 


Registration Information and Fees

Category Price
Members $575
Staff of Members $600
Non-Members $675
Sunday Social Event Guest Tickets $40


Registration fees include: Educational sessions and materials, Daily Breakfasts, Sunday Evening Social & Buffet, Refreshment Breaks and Exhibitor Reception.

Cancellation policy: Registration cancellations will be accepted in writing until May 15, 2019. A $100 administrative fee will apply to the refund. No refunds will be given if cancellation notice is received after 5:00 p.m. on May 15, 2019, or for no-show registrants. 

  


 

Book Your Room!

Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
3000 Paradise Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 732-5111

Located adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center and just one block from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino) offers the finest amenities and spacious rooms. Enjoy the world's largest race & sports book, dine at the world-famous Benihana, and experience legendary performers like nowhere else. In addition, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino features a Las Vegas Monorail stop onsite for easy access to the rest of the excitement on the Las Vegas Strip.

Daily Rate: $69.00 plus taxes and fees
**The group rate is only available during the dates of the Summer Symposium (June 9-13, 2019). If you wish to stay at the hotel before or after those dates, the room rate will be $99. If staying pre or post conference dates, the rate shown will be an average of the two rates **

A daily Resort Fee of  $33.99 plus tax will be OPTIONAL upon check in.
Resort fee includes:

  • WiFi Internet Access for Three Devices Throughout the Resort (excluding the convention center)
  • Local Calls
  • Access to the Fitness Center for Two Adults per Day
  • In-Room Safe

Guarantee/Deposit: All reservations require a credit card deposit of one night room and tax at the time of booking.


No-Show/Cancellation:  All reservations must be cancelled 3 days prior to the arrival date to receive the deposit refund. 

Click to following link to make your reservation online: https://book.passkey.com/go/STAX9R

You can also call 1-800-635-7711 to make your reservation.

Promo Code: STAX9R

Check-In Time: 3:00 PM
Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM

Cutoff date to book your hotel is May 17, 2019


Session Descriptions

Monday, June 10, 2019

Session 1: IRS Keynote Presentation
Presenter: Scott Irick Deputy Director, Examination, Small Business/Self-Employed
Scott Irick, Deputy Director of the IRS SBSE Examination Division, will provide update attendees on the most important IRS programs affecting tax professionals this year, including:
(1) 2019 filing season wrap-up including the most recent statistics TCJA implementation update
(2) Taxpayer service update including online and digital tools on the horizon for taxpayers and tax professionals
(3) Enforcement update including prominent programs such as International Tax, Abusive Tax Shelters, Criminal Tax, Return Preparers and Digital Economy Taxation Efforts
(4) Security Summit briefing on scams, tax fraud and identity theft prevention and ghost preparers
(5) Comments on modernizing IRS infrastructure to assure the protection of taxpayer data
(6) Workforce – Updates on Hiring, Staffing, Recruitment, Attrition and Adequate Resources.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
1 Federal Update Hour


Session 2: 199A - Qualified Business Income Deduction
Presenter: Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
Course will cover the basic in's and out's of applying Section 199A, the Qualified Business Income Deduction: How is this deduction figured when taxpayers are below/over threshold; What is the interplay with wages, fixed assets, and taxable income; What businesses are considered specified service trade or businesses (SSTBs); When we could/should aggregate; What do we do when there is a loss. We will work through lots of examples and discuss the latest guidance from the IRS.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Identifying activities eligible for a 199A deduction.

#2: How to calculate the deduction and limitations.

#3: How and when to use aggregation rules, and how to compute the carryovers.


Session 3: 1031 Exchanges and Their New Counterpart - Opportunity Zones
Presenter: Ruth Godfrey, EA
Get access to a 1031 Worksheet which will make your life so much easier! Refresh your knowledge of 1031 exchanges and find out what the TCJA did to them. Also learn about a new investment opportunity - Opportunity Zones. Exchanges are getting popular again - make sure you are able to guide your clients in doing them correctly. Learn what else is now available for those investors who want to defer their capital gains and be a "do-gooder" at the same time.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
1 Federal Law Hour
2 Federal Update Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Easy 1031 worksheet

#2: Confidence that they can do a 1031 correctly!

#3: Explore the advantages of the new Opportunity Zones.


Session 4: Reporting K-1's for Tax
Presenter: Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
This course is a deep dive on reporting all types of K1's on Form 1040: S-Corp, LLC/Partnership, and Trusts & Estates. Very helpful for the 1040 preparer who may not be familiar with business taxes but also offers a great refresher course and review of many tax and compliance aspects of reporting K1's from pass-through entities on an individual's Form 1040 and reporting a K-1 on another business entity's tax return. We'll cover the important new QBI component of TCJA for calculating the applicable 20% federal deduction for income flowing to your clients' taxes from form K-1. Learn or review many aspects of taxes related to K-1 income such as basis, at risk, passive/active, and the new business loss limitation. Other issues covered include self-employed health insurance, Section 754 Step Up, Section 179 separately stated items, mid-year buy/sell, guaranteed payments, self-employment tax, reasonable compensation, expense reimbursement plans, PTP's, and more.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Attendees will learn the latest tax updates from TCJA business tax changes and the 20% QBI deduction for reporting K1's on individual tax returns. We will also cover reporting K1's on other business tax returns for entity's that are partners in other businesses. 

#2: Raise the level of advice you offer your client related to the tax aspects of their K-1 income or loss and related tax deductions.

#3: Increase your understanding of your client's investment and involvement in a pass-through business entity by learning tax compliance matters for the individual receiving the K1.


Session 5: Toilets, Tenants & Trash: Capital Gains Tax Reduction Strategies
Presenter: Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
It happens every tax season. Your clients are at the end of their appointment and they ask, “Oh by the way...” This course examines the tax impacts upon elder clients (and others) who wish to unlock the equity in their investment properties without getting killed in capital gains taxes. Among the tax topics we will investigate will be some of the ways to sell investment real estate and how to minimize or avoid capital gains taxes, from a planning and a reporting perspective.
Knowledge Level: Overview
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Enhanced understanding of capital gains tax upon sale or exchange of investment real estate.

#2: Overview discussion of 8+ methods to defer, reduce, or eliminate capital gains taxes. 

#3: Developing a consultation practice for clients considering sales or exchanges.


Session 6: California Old School Differences
Presenter: Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI Fellow
With the new tax reform, a ton of new California differences were created but all the old ones are still with us. In this class, we will be reviewing all the old California differences that we have been dealing with for years, some you may know and some may come as a surprise. We will go over individual differences and the joys of the 540NR.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 California Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Identify differences in the tax law for California versus Federal

#2: Determine how to report those differences on the California return.

#3: To plan accordingly around those differences to the benefit of your client


Session 7: Advanced Schedule C Audits
Presenter: LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
The objective of this course is to explain, identify & demonstrate the techniques utilized by the IRS Examination Division specifically related to "Schedule C' Audits. Practitioner defense and representation procedures will be demonstrated & discussed. Additionally, visual & functional worksheets will be utilized to enhance the course objectives. Practitioner demeanor and ethical positions will be a significant part of the course presentation.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: How to adequately prepare for a Schedule C Audit/Examination

#2: How to provide and apply the appropriate legal & administrative cites that pertain specifically to a Schedule C Audit situation 

#3: How to interact with a Schedule C Audit client as well as how to interact with an IRS or State Auditor/Examiner


Session 8: The Sharing Economy
Presenter: Karen Joyner, EA
Airbnb, Uber, Ebay, Bitcoin. These are just a few of the new business models popular with Millennials that are a part of the “Sharing Economy”. Learn how to properly report all these “new” economies on a tax return, including how to determine if they qualify for the 20% QBI deduction. In this class you will learn how to:
1. Properly report these “new” economies on a tax return
2. Determine whether these new businesses qualify for the 20% QBI deduction
3. Advise clients regarding classification of workers, including the new California Dynamex decision
4. Properly report Cryptocurrency transactions
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Properly report these “new” economies on a tax return

#2: Determine whether these new businesses qualify for the 20% QBI deduction 

#3: Advise clients regarding classification of workers, including the new California Dynamex decision and properly report Cryptocurrency transactions


Session 9: How to Serve Immigrant Mixed-Status Families
Presenter: Antonio Martinez, EA
Nationally, more than 16.7 million people have at least one undocumented family member living with them. These households may also have DACA recipients, American citizens, and legal residents all under the same roof. This seminar will discuss how the new Tax Cuts & Jobs Act applies to these mixed-status immigrant families.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Attendees will understand the purpose of the ITIN and who qualifies.

#2: Attendees will learn what credits mixed-status immigrant families qualify for. 

#3: Attendees will learn how the TCJA has impacted immigrant families.


Session 10: Cryptocurrency, the IRS, and You
Presenter: John Miller, EA
This topic will examine modern digital currency. What Is it? When and how is it taxed? Are there any reporting requirements for foreign accounts? Do you know how much the IRS is spending and what actions they are taking to investigate cryptocurrency transactions? Indications are that it is shaping up to be a growing market that, despite its pros and cons, is likely here for the long haul. You will discover the proper way to service your client who has cryptocurrency such as bitcoin.
Knowledge Level: Basic
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: You will learn what cryptocurrency is and the terms used by those who invest in it so that you can understand the different types of activities and events associated with it. 

#2: Develop an understanding of the tax treatment under IRS guidelines for different cryptocurrency transactions and events, and the potential for taxpayer audits if not reported properly. 

#3: Become familiar with the resources available to help a preparer determine the amount of tax that is due for taxpayers involved with cryptocurrency.


Session 11: Marijuana Taxation in California
Presenter: William Rogers, MBA, CFP, EA
On January 1, 2018 California became the ninth state in the U.S. to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. With over 40 million people living in California, this state is home to the largest legal market for marijuana in the country. The purpose of this course is to provide practitioners with a basic understanding of the unique tax implications and reporting requirements of deal “cannabis based” businesses. In this course, you will learn:
•The challenges in dealing with a cash intensive businesses
•What is IRC 280E?
•Form 8300 reporting requirements
•Learn about the sales, excise, and cultivation taxes applicable in California
Knowledge Level: Basic
1 Federal Law Hour
1 California Hour

Learning Objectives:

#1: An understanding of IRC 280E

#2: The challenges of dealing with cash intensive businesses 

#3: Learn about the new sales, excise, and cultivation taxes applicable in California


Session 12: Dependency in Depth
Presenter: Shannon Hall, EA
Ever find yourself confused by the seemingly simple rules for dependency? Determining whether a client is entitled to claim a dependent can feel like cracking Sherlock Holmes’ trickiest case. Put on your gumshoes as we uncover clues to the mysteries of dependency issues like Head of Household filing status, dependent-related tax benefits including the new family tax credit, issues for foster parents, and many more! The game is afoot!
Knowledge Level: Basic
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: An in-depth review of the basic rules for claiming dependents

#2: An exploration of Head of Household filing status, including new due diligence requirements 

#3: Discussion of unique dependency situations and their potential tax impact


Session 13: Tax Issues for US Citizens Abroad
Presenter: Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
Our clients live, travel and work abroad – and they invest off-shore. This course will focus on the taxation of foreign earned income, how to benefit from income exclusions, exemptions and credits, and avoid the wrath of a government that seeks to zealously prosecute tax avoidance schemes. Non-compliance comes at a steep price – let’s make sure our clients report their foreign income and financial assets.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Attendees will understand that US citizens living outside of the US have filing requirements comparable to citizens and residents living in the US but that certain taxpayers may claim the foreign earned income and housing exclusions to minimize their federal tax liability.

#2: They will learn to correctly calculate the housing exclusion for employer-provided housing and the housing deduction for self-employed taxpayers, as well as use the foreign tax credit to mitigate the effects of double taxation. 

#3: At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to advise US taxpayers of tax and reporting regulations that apply specifically to those living abroad, including foreign account and foreign assets reporting.


Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Session 14: California Taxpayer Advocate
Presenter: Susan Maples, CPA, California Tax Payer Rights Advocate
In this session your California Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate will explain Taxpayer Advocate Services available to you as a tax professional. She will also cover how to communicate and connect with the Franchise Tax Board when you receive a notice of tax return change, under normal circumstances, as well as what to do when the normal channels for account resolution are not working. She will also share some upcoming changes at FTB and on-line services including the website, ftb.ca.gov. 
Knowledge Level: Basic
1 California Hour

Learning Objectives:

#1 Learn when and how to utilize Taxpayer Advocate Services.

#2 Acquire tips on “Connecting with Us.”

#3 Understand changes and potential changes at FTB that may affect you.


Session 15: Appealing Decisions - Audit, OIC, Tax Court, Bankruptcy Court, Federal District Court
Presenter: Gary Quackenbush, Esq
We have all had the experience of being disappointed by the outcome an audit, the decision made during an offer in compromise, or issues that come up during a collection case. The good news is that for nearly every action or decision made by the IRS, there is a way to appeal the decision to a higher level. This class will help you understand the appeal process for everything from audits, to offers in compromise, and collection cases. Some of the appeal processes that we will discover will be related to collection due process appeals, equivalent hearings, tax court, bankruptcy court, and Federal District Court.
Knowledge Level: Basic / Intermediate
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: This class will help you understand the appeal process for everything from audits, to offers in compromise, and collection cases. Some of the appeal processes that we will discover will be related to collection due process appeals, equivalent hearings, tax court, bankruptcy court, and Federal District Court.

#2: Want to learn how to appeal an audit decision that didn't go your way? This is the class for you. Ever wanted to prepare a case for a Tax Court trial? No matter your professional designation, you can either assist in the preparation or be a witness at trial. This class will help you understand how important the tax professional's role is in Tax Court cases.

#3: Want to learn how bankruptcy court might be the perfect forum to deal with the IRS over a complicated audit or assessment? This class will help you understand the process and when or when not to turn to bankruptcy court for assistance.


Session 16: Everything S-Corp!
Presenter: Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
This course covers S-Corporation tax preparation with an emphasis on TCJA general business tax changes plus QBI requirements for the reporting S-Corp entity. Learn or refresh your understanding of many specific S-Corp tax matters such as shareholder health insurance, reasonable compensation for shareholders, office in the home, self-rental, expense reimbursement plans, retirement plans, automobile expense, bonus depreciation vs Section 179 expense, and more. Review entity issues for S-Corps, out of state corps, LLC's filing as S-Corps, eligible shareholders, and S-Election troubleshooting. Other helpful content includes shareholder loans, converting a sole proprietorship to an S-Corp, balance sheets, allocations between shareholders, shareholders buying or selling their interests, S-Corp conversions from C-Corp, cash vs accrual, passive/active, basis, and at risk plus how to answer all the fed & Cal questions.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Attendees will learn the latest S-Corp tax updates from TCJA business tax changes and the QBI deduction. Also, increase your skills in tax planning for S-Corps and maximizing the tax savings of S-Corps. 

#2: Learn or refresh your knowledge of key S-Corp entity and shareholder compliance matters.

#3: Review valuable worksheets, examples, court cases, and trouble-shooting remedies for your S-Corp clients.


Session 17: Baby, Oh Baby
Presenter: Karen Joyner, EA
From birth to college graduation, the cost of raising a child is astronomical, but so are the possible tax benefits! Follow a child from birth through preschool, the Little League years, working in Mom and Dad’s business, college, paying off student loans, all the while looking for tax-saving opportunities.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Fully understand the tax rules to be certain maximum tax benefits are received by parents

#2: Maximize education credits by knowing when to tax scholarships

#3: Understand how the TCJA affects families


Session 18: Engagement Letters
Presenter: LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
Engagement Letters are critical regarding the definition and objective of a tax representation and/or tax preparation or consultation engagement. Technically, the engagement letter is defined as and considered as a "legal agreement" between the practitioner and the taxpayer. Therefore, the goal and objective of the presentation is to define the scope and purpose of the engagement letter as well as how to properly utilize and design the engagement concerning various tax matters. Additionally, since an "engagement" involves taxpayer interaction, this course will also include a detailed review of "Client/Taxpayer Interview" techniques to facilitate a tax engagement.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
3 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives: 

#1: How to draft and develop an effective engagement letter pertaining to various tax matters.

#2: How to utilize efficient and effective engagement letters to promote ethical and competent representation of taxpayers and clients. 

#3: How to effectively and adequately interview taxpayers and clients; and how to utilize the results of an effective interview of a taxpayer to develop and/or modify a legally effective engagement letter.


Session 19: Passive Activity Loss Limitations
Presenter: Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI Fellow
Passive Activity Loss (PAL) Limits are something we deal with on a regular basis but do you understand how the Form 8582 actually works? What constitutes a passive or non-passive activity? How do you calculate a current allowable passive loss and how do you determine the carryover? We will answer these questions in addition to going through the flow of the Form 8582 so you have a better understanding of a complex topic.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: How you determine whether an activity is passive or non-passive

#2: How to calculate how much of the loss is currently deductible.

#3: How to determine how much of the loss is carried forward


Session 20: What's my Character?
Presenter: Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
The course will cover how to correctly report partnership distributions and sales of partnership interests; when they are taxable, when they are not, and their character. The sale of a partnership interest is always a capital gain or loss, right? Not so fast, there may be ordinary income triggered by "hot assets". Learn to recognize and quantify ordinary income in a sale.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Recognize when a partnership distribution is taxable.

#2: Recognize and calculate ordinary income triggered by the sale of a partnership interest. 

#3: Correctly calculate the gain on the sale of a partnership interest.


Session 21: Domestic Tax Issues for Non-Resident Aliens
Presenter: Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
This course will provide the practitioner seeking to keep pace with a shrinking world economy with the tools necessary to serve a diverse clientele. Topics will include the determination of residency for federal tax purposes, dual-status issues, tax treatment of income and expenses for non-resident aliens, available elections and tax credits, administrative issues, and departure filing requirements.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Students will be able to determine a non-resident alien’s US filing requirements and learn to make appropriate entries on Form 1040-NR.

#2: They will learn how to establish residency under the green card and substantial presence tests, as well as recognize and correctly report effectively connected income.

#3: And they will be able to address issues specific to the non-resident alien, including community property reporting, estate and gift tax rules, and state non-conformity.


Session 22: The Art and Science of Divorce Taxation In 2019
Presenter: Armand D'Alo, EA, CFP, CDFA, Robbin D'Alo, EA, CLA, CDFA
This class will use live case studies to illustrate how legal advice turned into tax nightmares for a couple. Mistakes are commonly found in Marital Settlement Agreements. That gives you, the tax professional, an opportunity head off, or correct matters before the consequences are beyond repair. Like all changes, TCJA compounded divorce matters. It also opened new avenues to explore with couples in divorce. Alimony may no longer be deductible to the payer, complicating support agreements for couples in divorce. But this challenge offers tax professionals an opportunity to build creative solutions that provide tax-advantaged outcomes. We will explore business interests, real estate, and other asset interests in divorce. Participants will learn about F-A-C-C-T (what divorce is really all about) and how that impacts your position as the professional. We will also look at conflicts of interest and how your position may be protected or compromised when it is your client going through the divorce.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate / Overview
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives: 

#1: Learn how to recognize and correct errors in marital settlement agreements. Help legal counsel to avoid problems in crafting agreements.

#2: Gain insight into options for planning out divorce from a financial perspective. This includes ways to create tax advantages for couples that they may not have considered.

#3: Learn about liability exposure for professionals of clients that divorce and how to reduce the risks.


Session 23: California: Do You See What I CA?
Presenter: Shannon Hall, EA
California has always been known for being non-conformist, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act gave us plenty of opportunities to prove it! We’ll explore the new expanded Schedule CA using a case-study tax return to highlight the differences between Federal and California taxes, as well as how and where to report them.
Knowledge Level: Basic
2 California Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Examine changes to Schedule CA

#2: Explore differences in itemized deductions 

#3: Hands-on application of changes using case-study


Session 24: Correcting Depreciation - Form 3115 Line-by-Line
Presenter: Karen Joyner, EA
Ever had a client who was not depreciating their rental? Or one who was depreciating the land? Form 3115 is the way you must make depreciation corrections. We will dissect this complex form line-by-line and discuss some amazing shortcuts to help you complete this 8-page form in mere minutes!
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Know when a client should file Form 3115

#2: Learn to properly prepare a Form 3115 for depreciation corrections

#3: Become familiar with shortcuts that will reduce the time need to prepare Form 3115


Session 25: Resident vs Nonresident Taxation Differences
Presenter: Antonio Martinez, EA
Because residents and nonresident aliens are taxed differently, it's important to understand the difference. You're considered a nonresident alien for any period that you're neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien for tax purposes. You're considered a resident alien for a calendar year if you meet the green card test or the substantial presence test for the year. This seminar will discuss the difference between resident and nonresident aliens and help you choose the right status for your client.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Attendees will learn how to distinguish between a resident and nonresident alien.

#2: Attendees will understand the substantial presence test. 

#3: Attendees will be able to identify exempt nonimmigrant nonresident visa holder


Session 26: Choice of Entity. LLC, INC, LP, GP, SP - How to Choose?
Presenter: Gary Quackenbush, Esq
How many times have you heard this story: "I got laid off from my job after 15 years of hard work. Instead of throwing my hands in the air or curling up into the fetal position, I decided to start my own business. It's been over a year now and I'm not sure what to do about my taxes. "This situation is what I call being "accidentally self-employed." Once the client asks you for assistance, you quickly realize they have made no estimated tax payments, no provision for tax identification number, no thought of liability protection, and perhaps are not properly handling the taxation of their workers. Wow! Sound familiar? Either way, we can all benefit from understanding the ins and outs of small business types. This class will provide a comprehensive overview of the various types of businesses, how they are formed, how they are governed, and how they are taxed. Your role as a tax professional will become obvious as we work together with a PowerPoint presentation and handout materials.
Knowledge Level: Basic / Intermediate
1 Federal Law Hour
1 California Hour

Learning Objectives:

#1: This class will provide a comprehensive overview of the various types of businesses, how they are formed, how they are governed, and how they are taxed. Your role as a tax professional will become obvious as we work together with a PowerPoint presentation and handout materials. 

#2: You will benefit from understanding the ins and outs of small business types.

#3: You will become a more valuable resource for your clients.


BONUS IRS SESSION ADDED!

Data Security, Data Breach and the Aftermath – How tax professionals experience data theft and how to respond
Presenters: Marc Zine, IRS Stakeholder Liaison and Katie Williams, Senior Stakeholder Liaison
It is almost impossible to be in the return preparation business and not collect or hold personally identifying information — names and addresses, Social Security numbers, etc., about your clients and employees. If this information is lost or stolen, it could put these individuals at risk for identity theft.  However, not all compromises of personal information result in identity theft.  The type of personal information compromised can significantly affect the degree of potential damage. In this seminar, you will increase your understanding identity and data theft scams, and the impact on you and your clients.  The learning objectives of this presentation are to increase awareness about data loss thefts, where information ends up if lost or stolen, how to protect taxpayer information and actions to take when compromised.
Knowledge Level: Basic
Hours: 1 Federal Tax Law Hour

Learning Objectives:

#1: Identify IRS resources for tax professionals

#2: Determine how your IRS Stakeholder Liaison can answer questions, provide resources and resolve issues

#3: Recognize and react to data breaches

#4: Compare IRS identity verification letters

#5: Review data protection strategies


Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Session 27: Best Practices: Compliance and Documentation
Presenter: Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM

Presented by a practitioner with more than 3 decades of experience, this course will discuss the need for and the format of effective engagement letters designed to put the practitioner-client relationship on solid footing from the outset. Additional tools, practical suggestions, and time-tested solutions will be offered to reduce malpractice exposure.
Knowledge Level: Basic
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Attendees will discover the importance of using engagement agreements.

#2: They will be provided with sample clauses used by successful practitioners so that they may create and adapt documents for use in their own practices.

#3: Students will also receive guidance how to disengage clients in a professional manner, as well as mitigate potential problems through the use of conflict waivers, disclosure authorizations, and IRC § 7216 consents.


Session 28: Compensatory Stock & LLC Benefits (Options, RSU's, ESPP, Etc)
Presenter: Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
This "stock options" course covers the many tax aspects of employee stock benefits, employee LLC equity benefits, and other equity benefits including employee stock options, RSU's RSA's, ESPP, equity shares of an LLC, etc. Generally intended as employee compensation these benefits may also be earned by independent contractors and other business associates. Learn and review step by step rules and tax issues for each type of benefit as it is earned, awarded, exercised, sold, or transferred due to death or divorce. Detailed examples will show the related contracts, awards, paystubs, W2's, Form 1099-B, Form 3921 and 3922 and employer-provided spreadsheets for each type of transaction. Also, tax planning for these benefits, 83b elections, awards to non-employees, tax issues for former employees, AMT issues and more.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Learn or review step by step rules for reporting employee stock options, employee LLC equity benefits, RSU's, RSA's, and ESPP on Form 1040. Understand the life cycle of these valuable employee benefits from award to sale. 

#2: Review comprehensive examples for each type of award and review the applicable tax forms: Form 1099-B, W-2, paystub, Form 3921, Form 3922, employer-provided spreadsheets and AMT Forms 6251 and 8801 that relate to each example.

#3: Understand tax planning strategies: long term capital gains, minimizing AMT, 83b Elections, and more related to stock and LLC benefits and other tax compliance matters such as employee separation from service and transfers of benefits due to death or divorce.


Session 29: Fresh Starts - Installment Agreement, OIC, Tax Lien Relief, Bankruptcy, Innocent Spouse, Injured Spouse
Presenter: Gary Quackenbush, Esq
In 2012 when the Fresh Start Initiative started to impact the tax problem solving world, many practitioners struggled to determine how the Fresh Start Initiative would impact the installment agreement program, the offer in compromise program, availability of tax lien relief, and innocent and injured spouse relief programs. This class will explore fresh starts that have been enhanced by the Fresh Start Initiative as well as other fresh start opportunities such as bankruptcy. This class will provide updated material and real life examples of fresh starts that are available to taxpayers.
Knowledge Level: Basic / Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: You will learn that it's not just the Fresh Start Initiative that provides tax relief for individuals and businesses.

#2: You will learn all the options available for tax relief available to businesses and individuals.

#3: Your tax resolution toolbox will be more complete.


Session 30: How to Read a Trust
Presenter: Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
Tax professionals are called upon to answer questions by clients, trustees, and beneficiaries; to advise regarding subtrust funding; to attribute items to principal and income; and to report trust income and pass through taxation. But how do you do it unless you know how to read a trust? In this class, we will learn who is legally entitled to trust information (and who you should never speak with). We will learn to identify trustees and how to determine what is principal and what is income. Most important, we will dig deeply into the concept of “distributable net income” and how it flows through Form 1041 and Schedule K-1.
Knowledge Level: Basic
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Understand trust structures and the essential elements to create a trust, including settlors/grantors, trustees, and beneficiaries and the persons legally entitled to trust and tax information. 

#2: Identify principal and income under the trust, state law, federal law, and generally accepted accounting principles and when each of these sources apply.

#3: Determine whether a trust is “simple” or “complex” and learn how to determine and correctly report “distributable net income” and expenses of administration, among other items.


Session 31: Tax Penalties & Abatement
Presenter: LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
Tax penalties were invoked and designed by the United States Treasury Department and delegated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in an effort to enhance "voluntary compliance". However, to properly address relief or abatement of tax penalties, practitioners should be aware of the mandatory administrative procedures and legal applications regarding this issue. Thus, the objective of this course is to discuss the tax penalty assessment process and procedures. Then the goal is to instruct the practitioner regarding how to employ and develop appropriate "penalty abatement" procedures that are effective and legally acceptable.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
2 Federal Law Hours

Learning Objectives:

#1: Understanding the penalty assessment system and additionally understanding the penalty abatement process.

#2: Developing an understanding of the use of the Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) with respect to requesting abatement of penalties.

#3: Demonstrate the proper method to prepare, document and ultimately defend a penalty abatement matter.


Session 32: Tax Experts Panel
This is a special question and answer session with our unique panel of Tax Experts that includes many of our terrific speakers who have agreed to let us test their tax knowledge! Do you have a burning question that is driving you crazy because you cannot find the answer on your own? Did you learn something in one of your classes that needs further explanation for you to understand the tax concept?  Questions will be collected during the Symposium.
Knowledge Level: General
2 Hours Federal Tax Law


Session 33: Ethics - What Would You Do?
Presenter: Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
What would you do when faced with an ethical situation? The class will be an interactive review of real life situations experienced by various tax preparers. Attendees will receive a description of a situation that took place in their office. They will be asked to evaluate if this situation presents an ethical question/Circular 230 situation. What are the possible options to address the situation while keeping our practice and our wits intact? (Warning: this might be fun!)
Knowledge Level: Basic
2 Ethics Hours

Learning Objectives: 

#1: Learn to identify an ethical situation when it arises

#2: How to apply Circular 230 to real situations

#3: Best practices to follow when dealing with questionable circumstances.


About the Presenters

Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law

Frank R. Acuña is a founding partner of ACUÑA ❖ REGLI. He is a California State Bar certified estate planning, trust, and probate law specialist. His practice includes estate planning; inheritance litigation; business succession planning; special needs trusts; and farm, ranch, and vineyard succession planning. Mr. Acuña has taught tax seminars for the National Tax Practice Institute, the California Society of Enrolled Agents, the California Society of Tax Consultants, a number of state and local chapters of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts. Mr. Acuña also is a featured speaker for the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, the National Guardianship Association, and the California Public Administrators, Public Conservators, and Public Guardians. He advises tax, fiduciary, and real estate professionals throughout the State of California.

LG Brooks, EA, CTRS

LG Brooks is an Enrolled Agent and is the former Senior Consultant of The Tax Practice, Inc., located in Dallas Texas. However, LG is now the Senior Tax Resolution Consultant with Lawler & Witkowski, CPAs and EAs which is headquartered in Buffalo, NY. LG has been in the field of taxation for more than 25 years and has been in practice full time since 1990. LG’s areas of practice include Tax Representation and Pre-Tax-Court Litigation Support Services. LG continues to provide tax presentations for numerous tax and accounting societies and has made presentations at several Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Annual Tax Forums. LG received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bishop College at Dallas, Texas in 1977 and is a Fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI). He is currently a faculty member of the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI) and he is extremely proud and honored to be an Enrolled Agent.

Armand D'Alo, EA, CFP, CDFA

Armand is an Enrolled Agent (EA), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). He graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in Finance and Family Counseling. He received his CFP designation in 1986 from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, CO. He has been in professional practice since 1983 and has focused on divorce issues for over 20 years. He works in a private tax and consulting practice with his wife, Robbin. They have been married for 40 years, and they are the parents of four children with five grandchildren. Armand is the author of, “The Jump of Your Life: Successfully Navigating the Free-Fall of Divorce and Other Life Traumas.” He has taught classes through CCH, CPELink online, at BYU, BYU Education Week, UC Irvine, professional conferences and private groups on the topics of financial planning, taxation, specific divorce tax issues as well as family and financial dynamics in divorce. He has presented course material to the IACP (International Association of Collaborative Professionals) and CPCal (Collaborative Professionals of California). He is trained in mediation through the National Center for Conflict Resolution (NCRC), with Forrest Mosten and through Pepperdine Law School’s program for mediating litigated cases and with the Family Resolution Institute in San Diego. He is a trained educator with the Gottman Institute. He writes for the oaktreemediation.com blog as well as tax articles for his company newsletter.

Ruth Godfrey, EA

Ruth H. Godfrey, Hardy Tax & Business Services, Inc. has been an Enrolled Agent since 1984. She owned her own tax practice from 1981-2002, formed a partnership in 2001 and then incorporated in 2005. She has been a member of the Inland Empire Chapter of CSTC since 1981, and has served CSTC as President of her Chapter and the Society. She is currently Parliamentarian for the Society, Chairman of the Curriculum Provider Standards Committee for CTEC, and Secretary-Treasurer for the National Society of Accountants (NSA). Her college major in Psychology has helped her with the counseling needed to guide her clients. She finds real estate one of her favorite areas of tax preparation. She prepares approximately 300 individual, business, trust and 990 returns annually. Some actually correctly!

Shannon Hall, EA

Shannon Hall spent three years studying classical theatre at an acting conservatory, so it was only a matter of time before she got into the tax business. She has been a member of CSTC since she began preparing taxes all the way back in 2012, though her tax career truly began many years before when, as a child, she would play with the tax forms in the library. Shannon has prepared taxes at respected places like her kitchen table and H&R Block, where she served as an instructor and office manager before moving in with some laid back CPAs in Signal Hill, CA. More than anything, Shannon hopes to make tax education engaging and fun and strives to make taxes less taxing. Shannon is a proud member of the Greater Long Beach Chapter of CSTC and is happy to serve on the Board of Directors.

Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM

Monica Haven, E.A., J.D. has a Masters in Taxation (LL.M.); she is an alum and former faculty member of the National Tax Practice Institute, a recognized speaker on the professional circuit, a sought-after guest lecturer on college campuses and at community organizations. She welcomes every opportunity to share her experience and expertise in the classroom even as she maintains her Southern California tax practice and serves her loyal clientele nationwide. Monica’s students have said, she’s a “fantastic speaker” who can take “hard subjects and put them into concepts or analogies that are easy to understand.” For additional information, published articles and extensive, useful tax information, please head for Monica’s website at www.mhaven.net.

 

Scott Irick Deputy Director, Examination, Small Business/Self-Employed

Scott Irick is the Deputy Director, Examination in the SB/SE Division where he is responsible for providing executive leadership, shared responsibility and direction in the design, development, and delivery of Examination programs and policies that support comprehensive tax administration programs designed to enhance taxpayer compliance. Prior to this position, Scott served as the Director, Examination Headquarters.
 
Scott previously served as Director, Field and Campus Policy, and Director, Examination Quality and Technical Support in the SB/SE Division, as well as Director, Filing and Payment Compliance, and Field Director, Compliance Services (Andover) in the W&I Division.

Karen Joyner, EA

Karen Joyner, EA started preparing taxes in 1988, opening her own practice in 1993, and earning her Enrolled Agents license in May 1995. She has served in many local chapters of many professional organizations, including serving as President of the San Diego East County Chapter of CSTC, chairperson for CSTC fall workshops and Running Start, and CSTC society chair for Summer Symposium for several years. She also served as director and on the education committee for the CSEA San Diego chapter. She enjoys teaching others and finding the best approach to get clients the best possible tax outcome. She enjoys the challenge of representing clients before the IRS, Franchise Tax Board, and CTFA (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration) with their collection or audit needs. Karen practices in Coronado, California and can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]. In addition, Karen works with Brass Tax Presentations and Lisa Ihm, EA in offering Stocking Your Tax Toolbox and Tax Update in the fall throughout California. Brass Tax has an Enrolled Agent exam training course in the summer for tax professionals who want to obtain this valuable credential, so that they can fully serve the needs of their clients. Please check out the website at www.BrassTax.com.

Susan Maples, CPA, California Tax Payer Rights Advocate

Susan Maples is the Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate for the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and is responsible to ensure taxpayers’ rights are protected. As the Advocate her responsibilities include the coordination and resolution of taxpayer complaints and problems; and education and outreach efforts to taxpayers and tax practitioners. She has been with the FTB for 20+ years working in both Sacramento and the Southern California field offices. She started as an auditor and has experience with personal income tax and corporate tax law. Susan has worked closely with the practitioner community in her previous role as the Tax Practitioner Liaison to FTB and presented a variety of topics with the Education and Outreach program. She also worked as a Public Affairs spokesperson. Susan earned her Certified Public Accountant license while with the FTB.

 

Antonio Martinez, EA

Antonio Martinez is the VP of Business Development for the Latino Tax Professionals Association (LTPA). In 2004 Tony earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. Tony majored in Engineering and was involved in various leadership and volunteer roles. Upon graduation, Tony joined the LTPA with a goal of building a national brand. As VP of Business Development, Tony has led the exponential growth of the organization and organized various events throughout the country. In 2014 Antonio became an Enrolled Agent with the goal of representing immigrant taxpayers before the IRS.


John Miller, EA

John G Miller EA is President and CEO of the firm, Accounting for TAX, located in San Mateo, CA and has been in the tax business for over 22 years. He holds a BS in accounting from Colorado State University and previously served 12 years as a faculty instructor for the San Mateo Community College District. During those years he was an instructor for courses in accounting, taxation, real estate, retirement, and investing. He is a member of the National Society of Accountants and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Society of Tax Consultants, San Francisco Chapter. Mr. Miller is known by those who attend his presentations to have the unique ability to explain complex topics in simple, understandable terms.


Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI fellow

Eugene started doing taxes 23 years ago at H and R Block. After 8 years at Block, he formed Tax Matters Inc. in San Francisco with 2 partners, a business that they sold in 2014. He then moved to Sonora CA and opened ERO Tax in 2015. He passed the EA exam in 2001 and has been a speaker for over 15 years.

Gary Quackenbush, Esq

Gary Quackenbush operates his Financial Solutions law practice, GQ LAW, out of the Rancho Bernardo area in San Diego, California. Since 1988 his emphasis has been tax and financial problem solving and implementing solutions for tax problem resolution such as; Offers in Compromise, audit reconsideration, appeals, installment agreements, bankruptcy, federal district court actions, federal tax court actions, etc.

His estate planning practice focuses on wills, trusts, and estate administration including probate court work. His office handles civil litigation cases such as personal injury, contract disputes, property disputes, and business matters. His business consulting involves choice of and formation of business entities such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and Limited Liability Companies.

Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree in business finance from Brigham Young University in 1984. He received his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law in 1988. He is admitted to practice in all courts in the state of California and in all courts in the state of Colorado, US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California, Federal District Court in the Southern and Central districts of California, Federal District Court and US Bankruptcy Court in the District of Colorado, and U.S. Tax Court.

Gary is a regular guest lecturer to tax professionals, attorneys, and volunteer organizations. He is the host of his own podcast radio show “GQ on the Law” available on iTunes, Podbean, and Stitcher Radio. Since 2010 he has been a weekly guest on the “Word on Wealth” radio program with Marty Schneider on KCBQ 1170 AM and KPRZ 1210 AM every Tuesday. He has been a guest on UTTV “The American Dream” and the “Taylor Baldwin Show” and has appeared on NBC, ABC, CBS, and KNSD TV. He is Past-President of the California Society of Tax Consultants, San Diego Chapter and currently is President of CSTC at the state level. You can contact Gary at [email protected]

William Rogers, MBA, CFP, EA

William E. Rogers is the founder of ASCEND Business Advisory, a small tax and financial advisory firm in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. He is passionate in helping businesses eliminate the hassles of running their business. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands, an MBA from the University of Southern California, and an MS in Finance from Golden Gate University. He is also a Certified Financial Planner and an Enrolled Agent before the Internal Revenue Service. He has served as the Past President of the North County Chapter of the California Society of Tax Consultants, Past President of the Palomar Chapter of the California Society of Enrolled Agents, and served as a Director for the California Society of Enrolled Agents. Over the past eighteen years Mr. Rogers has developed extensive experience in advising e-commerce businesses. He counsels entrepreneurial ventures in a broad array of areas such as accounting, tax, finance, and strategic planning. Finally, he has been a featured speaker for the Learning Annex, Further Ed, the California Society of Tax Consultants, the California Society of Enrolled Agents, and has authored courses on behalf of the National Association of Enrolled Agents.

Jane Ryder, EA, CPA

Jane Ryder, EA, CPA has been providing tax preparation, accounting services, and tax collection resolution services since 1980. She runs her San Diego CPA firm and writes and speaks on many income tax, business compliance and accounting topics. Jane has a business centric practice, preparing and consulting on tax, accounting, and compliance matters for Corporations, S-corporations, LLC’s, Partnerships, and Trusts. She also specializes in IRS and state agencies collection problems, payment plans, audit representation, audit appeals, offers in compromise, and other compliance related issues. She earned a BS in Business Administration (Accounting) from SDSU and is currently licensed with the California State Board of Accountancy and admitted to practice before the the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent.


Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA


Claudia Stanley is a practicing CPA & EA in the Fresno area, as partner in C. Stanley, CPA & Associates. She is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, and serves on the boards of the Central California Chapter of Enrolled Agents and Fresno chapter of American Business Women’s Association. Claudia is a long time member of the Central Valley Chapter of California Society of Tax Consultants and was named their 2016 member of the year. She was also named one of 2001 Top Ten Women of the Year in the nation by American Business Women’s Association. She frequently speaks on various tax topics.

 Marc Zine, Senior Stakeholder Liaison and Katie Williams, Senior Stakeholder Liaison

Marc Zine is currently a Senior Stakeholder Liaison in IRS Communications & Liaison. Marc manages the Service’s relationships with the leading tax professional membership organizations in California and Nevada. He works with them as well as industry and trade associations in conjunction with other Federal, State and local government agencies to deliver IRS key messages, and other outreach and education programs. He has worked for the IRS since 1979 as a Revenue Officer, Revenue Agent and an Appeals Officer.

Katie Williams works as a Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the IRS Communications and Liaison. She has worked for the IRS for over 30 years in the Taxpayer Advocate’s Office, as a Revenue Agent, Tax Auditor, and currently as a liaison with the tax practitioner and small business organizations. Katie also worked on an IRS Design Team for a year and a half in Washington, D. C. and is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 


About our Exhibitors/Sponsors

BRONZE SPONSORS

VeriFyle

VeriFyle delivers ultra-secure messaging and document sharing, all from a simple, single-screen interface. VeriFyle was built from the ground up to be the most secure cloud-sharing solution, and to deliver improved productivity and control of information to its users. VeriFyle’s industry-leading, patented encryption technology gives users the highest level of security, protecting them from bulk-access vulnerability through the unique encryption of each individual document and message thread.
Unlike many other cloud-storage and cloud-sharing services, which use a single master key for encrypting and decrypting their users’ data, VeriFyle’s Cellucrypt technology uses password-derived keys on top of a public-key system to individually encrypt data objects, adding several additional layers of protection for their users. With the additional option to disable password reset, VeriFyle becomes the most secure cloud-sharing platform available, while remaining extremely simple to use.

We are a professional full-service tax advisory firm in San Diego. Our goal is to provide a level of service for our clients that will exceed expectations in every possible way. We strive to offer a diverse level of services in order to meet the needs of the diverse community we have been working in for more than 30 years.

When we opened our doors, San Diego was significantly different than it is today. Qualcomm was known as the “Murph” and Petco was a place to buy dog food rather than watch baseball. Houses could be purchased for 1/8 of the average home price today. San Diego has indeed grown and changed before our very eyes.

We have been helping San Diegans navigate their financial lives for over 3 decades. We have seen the changes, we recognize the pitfalls and we’ve been around the block a few times. We are here to partner with our clients in charting a course which will successfully bring them through many of the difficult financial decisions they will need to make throughout their lives.

IRSExams.School - TaxMama's® EA Exam Course

TaxMama's® EA Exam Course prepares tax professionals to do so much more than just pass the IRS' Special Enrollment Examination. This is in-depth course teaches tax law from the ground up. It explains how tax returns work, with examples of basic 1040s, Schedule Cs, 1065s, 1120s, and 1120Ss; you learn tax law, tax research, client representation for audits, appeals and collections. You learn about individuals, businesses, farms, estates and gifts. How to work with clients, how to avoid the wrong clients and how make a solid living as an enrolled agent. Exam-taking software is provided from Gleim, Fast Forward Academy and Appitur. Students can stay in the course even after passing the exam and use the materials.

 ATB, Inc.
If you are interested in buying or selling a practice, contact us today! ATB is operated by Enrolled Agents ensuring a complete understanding of our profession. Please give us a call at (855) 428-2225 or visit us online at www.ATBCAL.com for more information and to view our current listings. CA DRE 02002824


 EXHIBITORS

ADP

At ADP, what we do is about people. Although we have a strong history of providing solutions for human resource challenges, we strive to do more than that. We challenge ourselves to anticipate, think forward and take action in a way that empowers us to shape the changing world of work.
For nearly 70 years, we’ve led the way in defining the future of business solutions. ADP is proud to be named to FORTUNE Magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies®” list for 12 consecutive years*.

We are a comprehensive global provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions that unite HR, payroll, talent, time, tax and benefits administration, and a leader in business outsourcing services, analytics and compliance expertise. Our unmatched experience, deep insights and cutting-edge technology have transformed human resources from a back-office administrative function to a strategic business advantage.

CFS Tax Software, Inc.

CFS has been a developer of affordable tax planning and utility software since 1989. Our business has been built on referrals, and we pride ourselves on our high renewal rate. If you have never used CFS Software, ask another tax professional about us--chances are they are a satisfied CFS customer.

CFS programs are designed by tax professionals for tax professionals. They are easy to load and use; in minutes you can be working through real tax calculations or tasks. Our best-known product is TaxTools, a powerful collection of tax-planning and calculation utilities that no tax professional's office should be without. We also offer form libraries, sales and property tax utilities for several states, a suite of programs for payroll preparation, and specialized programs for small business owners and financial planners.

Dimirak - Insurance for Tax Professionals and Small Businesses

Life has many Impacts on you, your family and your business. Our mission is to help you plan for them by insuring the risk introduced into your life by these events.

Life’s Impacts on your business can be complex. We help you insure the risk of Cyber Attacks, Professional Liability & Malpractice, State & City Bonding, Loss from Fire or Theft, Loss of Key Executives, and Wrongful Termination Lawsuits.

Personal Life Impacts can be, adding a new member to your family, paying for college, selling a business, retiring, downsizing your home, or investing for your future.

All events have an Impact on your Life, Dimirak helps you

GetNetSet

GetNetSet builds professional websites exclusively for tax and accounting professionals. GetNetSet focuses on taking all the work off of your already full plate.With thousands of tax and accounting websites under management, GetNetSet offers very competitive pricing and staff have the experience and expertise needed to save your limited time, money and sanity.Websites work on all desktop and mobile devices and include:Up-to-date tax resourcesAutomated tax newsletterOnline appointment requestsOnline client paymentsSearch engine optimizationand more You can also share files with your clients directly from you tax software (or any other file) using the included secure client portal. GetNetSet handles everything for you, including unlimited updates and support at no additional charge.Our Newest product puts a weekly tax tip in front of your clients through a social media post on Facebook. Learn how GetNetSet can take your website and social media posts off your plate. Contact Kevin van Uitert at (207)331-3217 for more information. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.

This mission statement describes our role and the public’s expectation about how we should perform that role. 

  • In the United States, the Congress passes tax laws and requires taxpayers to comply.
  • The taxpayer’s role is to understand and meet his or her tax obligations.
  • The IRS role is to help the large majority of compliant taxpayers with the tax law, while ensuring that the minority who are unwilling to comply pay their fair share.

PITBULLTAX SOFTWARE

PITBULLTAX is a revolutionary web-based software designed for CPAs, Attorneys, Enrolled Agents and other tax professionals involved in IRS Tax Resolutions. PitBullTax Software has been developed by a dedicated team of professionals with over 100 years of combined successful IRS collection resolution and information technology applications experience. The knowledge obtained over the years has been embedded in the software?s DNA to provide the best possible resolution for each IRS collection case.

Percepto Inc

Percepto Inc has been developing wireless projectors since 2014 and has thus acquired an extensive expertise in medical projection. Having based ourselves on the features demanded by large company, we have created innovative, user-friendly application that are now available to small and medium-size companies. 

  

Spidell

We provide information and continuing education to tax professionals through our newsletters, publications, self-studies, and live seminars.

Spidell Publishing, Inc., has been a critical source of California tax information for tax professionals since 1975.

We promote ideas, references, solutions, and guidance, plus news and commentary covering all aspects of tax and its administration.

We advocate fairness in taxation.

NanoID

NanoID is a medical profile which can be accessed anywhere, anytime using bracelets, sticker kits, wallet cards and an app on your phone. It can be used to manage your medical information, save your life in an emergency, or clearly communicate important information to a health care provider. We use advanced technology to design and produce our bracelets. Wear one and feel the difference in your daily life.

Generated by effects in nature, negative ions are beneficial for our health. Our bracelets help you bring that balance back. Advances in Negative Ion Technology used in our bracelets accelerate recovery time from sports injuries and improve muscles, tendons and bones.

Increased amounts of negative ions help neutralize harmful effects your body suffers from environmental hazards such as air and water pollution. Whether you are a CrossFit fan, laid-back runner, yoga lover or a 9-to-5 worker, Nanoions Bracelets can help.

Tax Help Software

Tax Help Software is a desktop program that requests and downloads IRS Transcripts and analyzes the data. The software can detect IRS Audits and CP2000's six months in advance as well as identifying First Time Abatement's back to 2001. Over 100 million transcripts downloaded since 2012.

The TaxBook Software

Founded in 2005, Tax Materials, Inc. is a small, 100% American-owned company, located in Minnetonka, Minnesota. As a small company, we realize that each dollar you spend was hard earned and must bring true value. It is our passion to provide the best products at the best prices. Quality is important to us and our customers. That's why we have our own 15,000 square foot production facility. From raw materials to book production, customer service to shipping, we control the whole process which ensures timeliness and a top quality product!

Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps protect your taxpayer rights. They can offer help if your tax problem is causing hardship, or you've tried but haven't been able to resolve your problem with the IRS. If you qualify for assistance, which is always free, they will do everything possible to help you. Call 1-877-777-4778.  

OIC Advance

OIC Advance caters to the needs of our clients. Our unit helps our clients feel competent and efficient; thus enhancing work productivity and results. And that’s what its all about, helping clients thrive in the workplace. We are forward on clearer solutions for today with an eye to the future for better results. 

Latino Tax Pro

The only tax & bookkeeping training in English y en Español. Our Courses are designed for those tax professionals who serve Spanish speaking clients and need Spanish speaking tax preparers. We use a unique interactive e-book and online training system.

Bizmatchery, LLC

We are a digital marketing and technology company based in the Salt Lake City, Utah area that specializes in online marketing, reputation management, SEO and document management. It’s what we do and it’s what we love. And while we are in Salt Lake City, because of the great interwebs, we can serve clients anywhere. The process is the same here or there. We get to know you, hear about your business pains, work on solutions, and provide results.Since your Time is Money, we are here to help you make the best of your Time by helping you to Streamline your Online Presence so that it’s working – whether you are at home or at the office.


 Questions?

Contact the California Society of Tax Consultants at (949)715-4192 or [email protected]


The Symposium presentations have been designed to meet the requirements of the Return Preparer Office, the California State Board of Accountancy; and the California Tax Education Council including code 31 of Federal Regulations10.6 (g). This does not constitute an endorsement by these groups. A listing of additional requirements to renew tax preparer registration may be obtained by contacting CTEC at P.O. Box 2890, Sacramento, CA. 95812-2890, or phone CTEC at (877) 850-2832, or on the Internet at www.ctec.org.