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Dear Elizabeth,

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I wanted to bring to your attention a change in policy at the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) that could significantly impact your upcoming tax season. It has come to our attention that the DUA has denied seasonal employer certifications to several of our member firms. This is a result of a change in the department’s thinking and not the result of a statutory or regulatory change.

As a result of this change, the DUA will no longer allow tax preparers hired for the tax season to be considered seasonal workers, nor will they grant firms who increase staff for the busy tax season to obtain a seasonal employer certification. To qualify for certification, a seasonal business must be in operation fewer than 16 weeks, or a non-seasonal business must employ workers in one or more functionally distinct job titles for fewer than 16 weeks. The DUA has denied requests on the grounds that tax preparers are not functionally distinct.

Because tax preparers cannot be hired as independent contractors, given the strict statutory test, the effect of this new interpretation is that tax preparers will have to be hired as employees. In addition to the employer's responsibility to withhold tax and pay unemployment insurance and workers compensation, the tax preparer will also be eligible for unemployment assistance. 

We have made the department aware of our concerns and will bring this to the attention of the Baker administration. Please let us know if you have been denied seasonal certification so we can gauge the extent of the problem. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Zach Donah at zdonah@mscpaonline.org or 617.303.2411.

Have a great weekend.

Eileen P. McAnneny, Esq.
President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
- Interest Rates Remain the Same for the First Quarter of 2015

DOR Updates
- November Collections Total $1.593 Billion, Threshold Reached to Drop Income Tax Rate
- DOR Seeking Feedback on Combined Reporting Changes
- Recordkeeping Requirements for Sales and Use Tax Vendors Utilizing Point of Sale 

MSCPA Leads Coalition Seeking Changes to the Independent Contractor Statute
The MSCPA is leading a coalition of business groups and professional organizations in calling for changes to the state’s burdensome independent contractor statute.

House Passes One-Year Extender Bill
The U.S. House has agreed to a one-year extension of the 50+ deductions and exemptions that expired in December 2013. The measure expires December 31, 2014, holding off any long-term deal until next year.

GASB Gives Preliminary Views on Leases
Changes may be coming for state and local governments in financial reporting for leases and for the reporting of activities in which they have a fiduciary responsibility. GASB issued separate “Preliminary Views” documents on the subjects and is seeking public comment on each.

CPE:

Disclosure: The Key to Financial Statements (12/10)
This course is key for practitioners in public practice, and CPAs in industry who are responsible for the preparation of non-public financial statements. This program is a must for those practitioners who will undergo peer review.



Analyzing Financial Statements: Techniques for Cash Flow Analysis (12/11)
This course re-examines traditional analysis techniques to recognize their strengths and limitations when performing financial statement analysis; take analysis to a new level by incorporating cash flow based measurements; and utilize cases ranging from public companies to small privately-held companies to assess profitability and management of resources.



Advanced Technical Tax Forms: Training-Form 1040 (12/15)
This course will assist experienced staff in avoiding costly mistakes when facing complicated 1040 issues. The manual includes several advanced cases with filled-in forms provided within the complete answers.



Advanced Tax Forms - LLCs, S Corps and Partnerships (12/16)
It is critical that staff be trained on the increasingly complex forms-related issues that challenge them each busy season. This course will help experienced staff avoid costly mistakes by addressing advanced preparation issues when dealing with flow-through entities such as S corporations, LLCs and partnerships.

NETWORKING:

Women in Great Places: An Evening of Networking in Law and Finance (1/21)
Join the MSCPA and the Women's Bar Association for an evening of cross-industry networking at Bastille Kitchen in Boston. This is an excellent opportunity to meet other women professionals, build your network and develop referral sources.

MEMBERSHIP:

Save 10% on Tickets to A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan
WGBH's A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan returns December 12-21 with performances at the Cutler Majestic Theatre. Based on the popular 89.7 WGBH radio program A Celtic Sojourn, this year's concert promises to be one of the most exciting yet. MSCPA members save 10% by using promotion code ACCSCITI.

MSCPA Membership Night at the Bruins (1/8)
Join the MSCPA to watch the Boston Bruins vs. the Devils. We have a suite reserved so you can network while enjoying the game. The cost of $135 includes your ticket (face value is $120), beer and wine and heavy appetizers. This is a member-only event. You can only register two members per transaction. Tickets are very limited!

Temporary Job Opportunities
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.

Adjunct Professor Needed at Merrimack College
An adjunct instructor is needed to teach an audit class at Merrimack College during the Spring 2015 semester. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Mark Cordano, Dean of the Girard School of Business, cordanom@merrimack.edu.

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.

35 Things to Do for Your Career Before Turning 35
When it comes to your career, there are some things that, if done early on, will  make your professional future — not to mention day-to-day work life — a whole lot easier.

Secrets to Successful Networking from the Most Connected Women
Ten successful women share how they've mastered the art of meaningful networking.