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Dear Elizabeth,

Today my message is bittersweet. I am announcing my departure from the MSCPA after a short tenure, certainly a much shorter tenure than I anticipated when I accepted the job earlier this year. It is with some sadness that I go, as I have enjoyed coming to work each and every day. The staff is first-rate, the members are welcoming and the leadership, especially Chairman Bill Mahoney, has been exceptional. While my time has been short, together we have accomplished quite a lot. 

• We updated many internal policies to provide more workplace flexibility and accountability.
• We reinvigorated our government relations program by creating the tools to make grassroots member advocacy simple - establishing a quarterly newsletter to communicate legislative and regulatory issues and engaging on Beacon Hill much more proactively. 
• We developed a strategic plan for the organization so that we all share a common vision and have clear path forward.  
• We hired a new vice president of CPE to capably lead the MSCPA through this period of educational transition.
• We are in discussions with the other New England state societies to regionalize some services and increase collaboration.
• Next month, we will launch a much improved and more robust member benefits package, including an innovative health insurance product, a generous dental plan and free payroll services. 

I hope to leave the Society in an improved position from which to thrive and grow. It has been my honor and privilege to serve this organization.

I am leaving at the end of January to join the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a tax and fiscal policy research and advocacy organization. In the interim, I will continue to work for you and with you to accomplish our common agenda.

Sincerely,

Eileen P. McAnneny, Esq.
President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
• IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate for Businesses
• IRS Urged to Crack Down on Improper EITC and ACTC Payments

DOR Updates
• Technical Corrections to Research Credit; Electronic Notices
• Massachusetts Tax Year 2015 Exclusion Amounts for Employer-Provided Parking, Transit Pass and Commuter Highway Vehicle Benefits

Camp Formally Introduces Tax Reform Legislation
With just weeks left in the Congressional term, outgoing Ways and Means Chairman David Camp filed tax reform legislation, formalizing the tax reform discussion draft that Camp released on Feb. 26, 2014, without modifications.

U.S. House Passes Spending Plan
The $1.1 trillion package will fund the government until September 2015. The plan also includes a 10-month extension of the Internet Tax Freedom Act and a 3% cut to the IRS operation budget. The Senate could vote on the bill as early as today.

CPE:

GAAP Disclosure and Review for the Closely-Held Business (12/16)
Peer reviews have indicated deficiencies in financial statement disclosures and the application of generally accepted accounting principles. Don’t be deficient – this interactive session focuses on GAAP and disclosure issues frequently encountered in closely-held business engagements using real life case studies.



Buying & Selling a Business: Critical Tax and Structuring Issues (12/18)
One of the major transactions CPA clients enter into is a purchase or disposition of a business. To help tax professionals in advising those clients, this course offers a comprehensive analysis of the business and tax aspects of buying and selling a business.



Tax Aspects of Real Estate Transactions and Investments (12/19)
The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth discussion of the tax issues involving real estate acquisitions, operations and dispositions. We will survey the landscape of tax issues involving real estate.

NETWORKING:

Committee Meetings
• State Taxation (12/15)
• Federal Taxation (12/16)
• Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing (12/16)
• State Taxation (12/17)
• Accounting & Auditing (12/17)
• Litigation Consulting & Business Valuation (12/17)
• Real Estate (12/18)
• Alternative Investments (12/18)
• Regulated Investment Companies (12/18)

South Shore Breakfast Forum (12/18)
Get an annual federal tax update from Mark Misselbeck, CPA of Katz, Nannis + Solomon.

Sip & Socialize: A Networking Reception for Lawyers and CPAs (1/22)
Start the New Year with new contacts! Join us at VIA Italian Table in Worcester for an evening of networking with CPAs and lawyers.

MEMBERSHIP:

NEW Volunteer Opportunity
Tutoring Plus of Cambridge, Inc. - Board Treasurer

Temporary Job Postings
Looking for temporary work? Employers post temporary and seasonal job opportunities on our website. Browse our website to find the right position, or post your temporary position for free.

Media Opportunities for MSCPA Members
Make headlines! Two media outlets are looking for CPAs to comment on upcoming stories. If you're interested in either of the following, email Elizabeth Emanuelson, eemanuelson@mscpaonline.org, ASAP:

•Podcast on ACA and Taxes: The BIB Business Podcast Show is looking for a CPA to speak on the ins and outs of the Affordable Care Act and taxes. The focus will be on the impact to small businesses and those who are self employed. They are scheduling interviews for Tuesday, 12/16 at 1:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 12/17 at 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. 

•Wacky Tax Stories: Have a client who tried to deduct or claim something ridiculous on their tax return? Whether they were successful or not, we want to hear it! Stories can be posted anonymously and will be featured on Bankrate.com in February. 

NEWS & EVENTS:

Give the Gift of Education
During this season of giving, please consider a charitable gift to the MSCPA Educational Foundation. Our future CPAs are finding it increasingly difficult to pay higher tuition costs. Please give back to the profession with a tax-deductible contribution.

Ten Technology Trends for 2015
In 2015, several technology trends are expected to dominate the market. The emergence of the smartwatch, a wearable smartphone, will be the biggest trend by generating real-time data.