By Sanjay Paranandi, Public Relations Specialist

Journalists from some of today’s preeminent news organizations joined Alan Straus, a member of the New York State Society of CPA’s Public Relations Committee, in late January for a tax information session at the Society’s offices in midtown Manhattan.

Reporters from the Associated Press, Reuters and Newsday as well as other organizations attended the seminar.
Straus, who specializes in all aspects of taxation, including estate and personal financial planning, helped define tax terminology and discussed how various tax codes affect the public. Public Relations Committee member Jay Safier joined Straus to discuss topics reporters have treated as hot issues in the press recently. Safier also answered questions regarding possible ramifications of President George Bush’s proposed tax cuts, as well as the effects of the marriage penalty, the alternative minimum tax and corporate tax issues.

“Journalists need to understand that most tax topics are very complex,” Straus said. “It is difficult to generalize when writing about tax matters, and hopefully we can clarify some of these complexities.”

Overall, the session provided reporters with in-depth knowledge on tax and other topics. The NYSSCPA continues to develop its strong relationship with the media as a trusted source for accounting expertise.