TDOC Keeps Hand on Tax Policy Pulse

TDOC Keeps Hand on Tax Policy Pulse

By Maryann Winters

Editor’s Note: This is the first of a regular series of columns by NYSSCPA chairpersons.

A second term of the Bush Administration promises to bring into sharp relief proposals to reform and simplify the tax code, and to change how our country’s Social Security system works. While we don’t know what the president’s exact agenda will be, Bush’s spokesman early in January made clear that taxes and Social Security are his top economic priorities.

The New York State Society of CPAs’ Tax Division Oversight Committee has made these issues its top priorities as well. By doing so, the TDOC is harnessing the expertise and experience of its members to provide a voice for the Society on policies that have a direct and wide-ranging impact on all NYSSCPA members.

Our division is well suited to take the lead, with 26 experienced tax practitioners sitting on the TDOC, along with the scores of expert members who sit on the 14 statewide (and several chapter-level) tax committees that the TDOC oversees.

Currently, under the leadership of TDOC member Richard Hecht, the committee is planning a series of symposiums, to be held in May, to bring together experts for a wide-ranging discussion and exploration of alternative tax systems, Social Security and Medicare reform, and estate taxes.

Through committee member Robert Goldstein and myself, the committee is working with the Society’s Committee on Practical Reform for the Tax System, chaired by David A. Lifson, in an effort to formulate ways of improving our nation’s tax system.

Committee member Stephen Valenti and myself also serve on the newly established Quality Enhancement Policy Committee, chaired by President-Elect Stephen Langowski, which provides input from the division on quality control initiatives in the tax arena.

In response to NYSSCPA President John Kearney’s request for assistance to the Society in shedding light on the effects of the alternative minimum tax, committee member James McEvoy has embarked on assembling information gathered by our committee members to help us put a human face on the impact of AMT on ordinary taxpayers. We expect a white paper outlining his findings to be published soon.

Our continuing work builds on the tax division’s proud record of providing a voice on many crucial matters. Our committees have submitted comments to both state and federal authorities on subjects ranging from New York state unemployment insurance regulations to the proposal to extend the individual tax filing deadline for taxpayers who file electronically.

The TDOC works closely with its committees, convening an annual meeting where committee chairs exchange ideas on handling various situations that may arise in the course of running their committees. In addition, at least one TDOC member is assigned to each subcommittee to work with them to help resolve any leadership or organizational concerns that might arise.

Each year the TDOC conducts a very successful Annual Tax Conference and Plenary Session that is offered to the members of the tax committees at a reduced fee to thank them for all their efforts on behalf of the Society. Committee members Alan Kahn and Mark Levin cochaired the most recent conference, which included a presentation by Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson.

In the past year the TDOC formed a task force that produced seminars statewide that successfully assisted our members in transitioning to e-filing and electronic tax services. While this initiative continues, a task force consisting of committee members Hecht and Alan Frankel conducted a survey of several firms that have tried outsourcing, and produced a report on the firms’ experiences that was presented to the TDOC members and at the Annual Tax Conference. While it remains a controversial subject, we feel that members need assistance in making decisions as to whether outsourcing will be good for them, and we will present them with differing experiences and points of view.

As we approach the busy season, members of the TDOC and many members of the subcommittees have generously volunteered their time to answer member inquiries through the technical hotlines. We also are always available to participate in media outreach on behalf of the Society.

Going forward, the Tax Division Oversight Committee is embarking on an outreach to the chapters to find ways to assist them in strengthening their chapter tax conferences and to assist them in finding ways to plug into all the good information that exists at the statewide level. I welcome contact from any chapter members who would like to help in the organizing of local tax seminars, and from experienced qualified members who would be willing to speak at these sessions.

As the tax division chair, I am reaching out to all members for your input in the many policy initiatives we are currently engaged in, and welcome your offers of time and energy to assist us in carrying out our mission.

Maryann Winters is a partner with Sirchia & Cuomo, LLP, in Syracuse, and the chair of the NYSSCPA’s Tax Division Oversight Committee.