CPAs Help Out at Syracuse’s Tax Hotline Day

By Stephanie R. Myers

Members of the community got the chance to ask accounting professionals tax questions during Syracuse’s Tax Hotline Day, which took place at the offices of the Syracuse Post-Standard on March 1.

Eleven CPAs participated in the event during the two-shift workday that lasted from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m., including David Prusinowski, from Firley Moran Freer & Eassa CPA P.C., who said the calls that he received were “mostly from people who prepare their own tax returns—people who ran into a new situation in the current year, or people who just want to get to a comfort level.”

He added that the day was beneficial to taxpayers who might not have sought out professional advice if the hotline was not provided.

“I think without this program, people might have had to hire someone or taken their best guess at things,” Prusinowski said.

Prusinowski said he has participated in the event for the last five years and plans on volunteering during next year’s hotline as well.

“Everyone seems to be very appreciative, and it makes you feel good that you helped someone,” Prusinowski said.

Tracy Buchester, from Fagliarone Group CPAs P.C., also volunteered for the hotline.

“I really enjoyed participating in the tax hotline,” Buchester said. “It is a great way to give back to the community and help people who are struggling with the ever-changing tax laws. I would highly recommend that every CPA have such a rewarding experience.”

Paul Mahalick, from Green & Seifter CPAs PLLC, also said working the hotline was an enjoyable experience. This is Mahalick’s second year participating in the program.

“It’s actually kind of fun. You get an interesting set of questions from people,” Mahalick said.

He said he fielded a variety of questions during his shift.

“With some calls, the questions are a little more complicated, and they sound somewhat educated in tax law, and others are rather simple questions, more procedural,” Mahalick said.

The Post-Standard, Mahalick said, also received positive comments from callers after the tax hotline took place.

“The newspaper had received feedback and said some people had called in to thank the newspaper for providing the call-in time,” Mahalick said. “I think it’s a terrific program, and we’d like to be involved in it next year.”

Some callers save their tax questions for the tax hotline and don’t seek help elsewhere, said participant Adam Panek, also from Green & Seifter.

“I found some of the questions to be somewhat challenging, and some of the people are given just a little peace of mind,” Panek said. “I think it’s a great exposure for the Society—and we’re giving something back.”