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January 2014
 
JANUARY 2014 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
  
Date:
1/28/2014
Doors open:
6:00pm
Location:
Biltmore Hotel 
2151 Laurelwood Road
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Presentation:
2014 Tax Update
Cost:
Day of Event at the Door 
$40 Members, $50 Guests
Pre-registration:
Discounted Rate, Register and pay using Paypal here 
$35 Members, $45 Guests
  
  

JANUARY 2014 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Annette Nellen, CPA, Esq.
2014 Tax Update


AFWA Silicon Valley is excited to have Annette Nellen present the 2014 Tax Update for our January membership meeting. Don't miss out! Register early to save a spot! 


******************************************************************
Annette Nellen, CPA, Esq., is a professor in and director of San Jos� State University 's graduate tax program (MST), teaching courses in tax research, accounting methods, property transactions, state taxation, employment tax, ethics, tax policy, tax reform, and high technology tax issues.  Annette has over 25 years of experience in the area of taxation with emphasis on tax policy and reform for the past 18 years.

 

Annette serves on the AICPA Tax Executive Committee and the AICPA Tax Reform Task Force. She is a past chair of the AICPA Individual Taxation Technical Resource Panel. Annette is a monthly contributor to the AICPA Tax Insider and Corporate Taxation Insider e-newsletters. Annette was the lead author of the AICPA tax policy concept statement #1, Guiding Principles of Good Tax Policy: A Framework for Evaluating Tax Proposals (2001), still in use today.   In fall 2013, Annette completed a three-year term on the Executive Committee of the Taxation Section of the California Bar.

 

Annette is the author of Bloomberg BNA Tax Portfolio #533, Amortization of Intangibles. She is also the author of Bloomberg  BNA's Legal & Business portfolio, Overview of Internet Taxation Issues.

 

Annette has testified before the House Ways & Means Committee, Senate Finance Committee, California Assembly Revenue & Taxation Committee, and tax reform commissions and committees on various aspects of federal and state tax reform. In July 2013, she accepted an invitation to participate in a tax reform roundtable held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Annette maintains the 21st Century Taxation website and blog (www.21stcenturytaxation.com), as well as several websites on tax reform, state tax nexus and e-commerce taxation.

 

Prior to joining SJSU in 1990, Annette was with Ernst & Young and the IRS.


 


IN THIS ISSUE silver-keyboard2.jpg
(click on the topic to be linked directly)

* 10 Things To Do At Work At The Start of 2014 *
* IRS Sets the Date: Tax Season Starts Jan. 31 *
* IRS: New Year, New Rules *
 

 
Julia Becklund
  

  

The Power of Gratitude 

  

The past two months have been very difficult for me. We had moved our work office location and lost some items during the move, my sister's husband ended up in the hospital with a life-threatening acute liver injury, and this was all in the midst of the holidays.  The result was that I found myself spending a lot of time frustrated and stressed. 

 

While trying to locate paperwork for my boss, I ran across this article, "The Life-Altering Power of Gratitude" by Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD that I had been given a while back, when I had attended a support group for people with possible life ending diseases. This article had reminded me of what I needed to look at, how to re-frame my thoughts with the overwhelming circumstances that I recently had to deal with.  I realized I needed to stop being so negative, so I started thinking positively and praying.

 

I guess my positive outlook and prayers worked!  I have found most of the things that were lost in the move and my brother-in-law is out of the hospital, although there's still a long road to full recovery.   And, we're past the holidays! 

 

Through all of this, the article had reminded me that there is a way to put your life into perspective, so that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stress from everyday life can be challenging. When given extraordinary events on top of that, we need to remind ourselves to refocus our thoughts on the positive rather than the negative. If I am truly going to survive and thrive, I need to be grateful for the many blessings in my life. 

 

I am thankful to be reminded of this, at the start of the new year surrounded by intelligent women who are making a difference in the lives of their clients, their families and in the local community. 

 

AFWA is a kind, generous and considerate group that I am proud to be a part of.  The Scholarship Award night is coming up in April, where we award scholarship funds to students who are pursuing their goals to become accountants.  Our Spring Gala in May is also a time our group comes together to raise funds for the scholarships awarded the next year. These actions reflect upon us as a group and individually. 

 

We also meet every month to learn and get updates in the accounting and financial fields. Our AFWA community is a resource for our work lives. Being the busy group we are, we need to develop our inner source of strength. I hope this article helps you in doing so.

  

 For more from the article, click here.

 

 


ANNUAL CONFERENCEAnnualConference



The Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance Annual Conference will be loaded with opportunities for networking, leadership development, education and fun!

You should attend if you are...
  • Responsible for monitoring developments in accounting, taxation and finance
  • Responsible for the quality and profitability of your company or firm
  • Supervising and/or training accounting and finance staff
  • Interested in developing a network of outstanding professionals.
  • Ready to promote your company or product in today's marketplace
  • A beginner or veteran, with or without a degree, in private or public accounting, finance or academia

What will you learn at the Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance Annual Conference?

  • The latest technical developments in accounting, auditing, finance, tax, management, leadership, government and industry, including e-commerce, and budgeting and accounting software applications
  • Motivational strategies that work
  • Methods for effective management of people and the marketplace
  • Effective means of identifying and responding to economic problems
  • Valuable leadership techniques
  • Means for achieving effective communication
  • Professional contacts in a variety of industries

 


MtgRecapHOLIDAY DINNER RECAP

AFWA Silicon Valley held its annual 2013 holiday party at the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown San Jose on December 9, 2013. After mingling, eating dinner and spumoni for dessert, members took part in a white elephant gift exchange.



JANUARY NEWSAccountability


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10 Things To Do At Work At The Start Of 2014
from Forbes
By Jacquelyn Smith, Forbes Staff
January, 2014

  

A couple of weeks ago I laid out "13 tips for wrapping up 2013 and preparing for the new year at work." My expert sources suggested that you complete outstanding projects, establish new goals, reflect on accomplishments, get organized and tie up loose ends-among other things.


Now, as you return to the office in 2014, there are a few things you can do to ensure you start the year off right.


"A new year is a brand new beginning," says Anna Sidana, the vice president of corporate marketing at BrightEdge. "If we take the time to step back from our day-to-day and hit reset, it is a chance to look ahead with a new perspective and make every day count."


She suggests you take a moment to reflect on your life-both professional and personal-and kick off the new year with renewed energy and a fresh focus. "Close out any small, nagging projects and focus on the big ones that can accelerate your career. Reach out to colleagues and strengthen those dusty relationships. A new year offers this unique opportunity to step up the game and become laser focused."

 

Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs, agrees. "Of course, you can set out to reinvigorate your career any time of year, but the new year somehow provides momentum that can be harder to find once you get back to the grind."

  

She says now is a great time to reflect on where you are in your professional life, how you've gotten there and where you want to go-and then how to achieve it. "Your friends and family are probably doing something similar in their lives and you can use each other's energy and enthusiasm to stay committed to your goals."

 

Why is it so important to start the year off right?

 

 
 <Read More> 

 

 


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IRS Sets the Date: Tax Season Starts Jan. 31
from Accounting Today
By Daniel Hood
December 2013
  
 

 

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the 2013 tax season will start on January 31, and encouraged taxpayers to e-file or use the Free File service to get their refunds more quickly.  

 

The season had originally been slated to start on January 21, but the two-week government shutdown in October delayed the IRS's annual programming, updating and testing of its more than 50 tax processing systems.

  

The IRS warned that it will not process any returns before January 31, so "there is no advantage to filing on paper before the opening date." It did note, however, that many software companies are expected to begin accepting returns in January, and would hold those returns until the IRS began processing.

 

The announced date is one day later than the January 30 date on which the IRS opened for tax season this year. However, when the tax season opened in 2013, the service was not ready to accept many individual tax forms due to a host of tax law changes made at the last minute by Congress.

 


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IRS Offers Ways for Groups to Regain Tax-Exempt Status 
from Accounting Today
by  Michael Cohn
January 2014

 

 

The Internal Revenue Service is giving organizations that have had their tax exemptions revoked because they failed to file a tax return a way to revive their tax-exempt status.

 

 Revenue Procedure 2014-11 provides procedures for reinstating the tax-exempt status of organizations that have had their tax-exempt status automatically revoked under Section 6033(j) of the Tax Code for failure to file required annual returns or notices for three consecutive years.

 

An organization that was eligible to file either the Form 990-EZ, "Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax," or Form 990-N, "e-Postcard," for each of the three consecutive years that it failed to file, and that has not previously had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked, can use a process described in the revenue procedure to apply for a streamlined retroactive reinstatement of its tax-exempt status if it applies within 15 months after the later of the date of the revocation letter, or the date on which the IRS posted the organization's name on a revocation list.

 

An organization that is not eligible to use the streamlined process can use another process described in the revenue procedure to apply for retroactive reinstatement of its tax-exempt status if it applies no later than 15 months after either the date of the revocation letter or the date on which the IRS posted the organization's name on a revocation list.

The revenue procedure does not apply to groups that have had their tax-exempt status revoked because they engaged in political election-related activities. The IRS has faced controversy over the past year because of delays in approving tax-exempt status for Tea Party-affiliated groups and recently announced proposed regulations for how it would determine whether groups meet the definition of a social welfare organization under Section 501(c)4 of the Tax Code (see Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance for 501(c)4 Tax-Exempt Social Welfare Organizations).

 

 

 
big-plans-big-hair.jpg  
 
IRS: New Year, New Rules 
from Forbes
by  Kelly Phillips Erb, Contributor
January 2014
 
There are a lot of changes brewing in the tax world for 2014. Some changes are the result of things Congress did - and even more, the result of things didn't do. But Congress doesn't pull all of the strings.The Internal Revenue Service has more than a little bit of latitude when it comes to tax administration and this year, they appear to be taking full advantage. Here's what you need to know:
 

IRS Office Tax Return Prep To Be Limited

Citing "resource constraints," the IRS is cutting back tax preparation services at their 250 walk-in offices and is, instead, directing qualified taxpayers to more than 13,000 volunteer partner sites across the country. No word yet on the exact definition of "qualified" since that likely depends on the specific volunteer sites (which means it will vary) but free tax preparation is generally limited to those taxpayers in a few categories: low income, military and seniors.

 

New "Get Transcript" Service

The IRS has been struggling with how to be best provide transcripts for taxpayers and have now announced a new online request option called "Get Transcript." The service will allow individual taxpayers to instantly view and print a copy of tax transcripts. Five types of transcripts will be available: tax account, tax return, record of account, wage and income, and verification of non-filing. The service is not yet available - look for it in early 2014.

 

Where's My Refund?

Speaking of online services, the IRS is promoting the use of the "Where's My Refund?" tool on their website. And by promoting, I mean really promoting. In order to conserve resources (translation: they want you stop calling them everyday), the IRS will not answer any questions about refunds in person by phone if you call within the first 21 days of filing your return. You'll have to use the "Where's My Refund?" tool - available online through irs.gov and via the automated telephone service. There's a mobile app for that (IRS2Go). I'll have the updated information (with screenshots for those of you who need them) as it becomes available.

 


COMMITTEE UPDATESCommitteeUpdates


PROGRAMS


There is an excellent line-up of programs for the Silicon Valley Chapter this year, and most of them qualify for CPE!  Check out the line-up as we have engaged some dynamic and outstanding speakers.


January
1/28/2014
2014 Tax Update
Speaker: Annette Nellen

February
2/25/2014
Personal Identity Security
Speaker: TBD

March
3/25/2014
Self Promotion
Speaker: TBD






MEMBERSHIP
Chair: Eileen Perry

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • All Levels of Accounting & Finance
  • Bookkeepers
  • Corporate Accounting Finance
  • Public Accounting
  • Management & Educators
  • Recruiters

If you would like to join the Silicon Valley Chapter of AFWA, follow the link to our National website.

http://www.afwa.org

 

Please feel free to complete the application or forward a copy to someone you think would benefit from joining our Chapter.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

  • Prestigious status of professional affiliation
  • National contacts for networking and professional information
  • Forum for CPE
  • Scholarships
  • Leadership opportunities in supportive arena
  • Subscription to Accountability e-newsletter 
  • National and regional conferences at a discounted rate
  • Access to Career Center
  • Access to AFWA's LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter groups and National online membership directory
  • Discounted membership to the Institute for Management Accountants (IMA)
  • Discounted products and services through affiliation agreements
    • CPA review courses, CCH tax & accounting books, Long Term Care Insurance and Bank of America credit card.


HOSPITALITY/CPE COMPLIANCE
Hospitality Chair: Amrit Dhaliwal
CPE Chair: Nicole Tran

Reservation and cancellation policy:Reservations or cancellations are requested by noon on the Friday preceding each meeting.  Email amrit@expertquote.com to reserve or cancel. The goal is an accurate count for the hotel.  Unreserved members (not guests) incur a surcharge of $5.00.

 

Reserved members or guests who are no-shows will be billed if not cancelled by noon the preceding Friday. We do want you to come to the meetings and reservations are helpful but if you have to cancel let us know beforehand to avoid incurring the cost of the meal. WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT AT THE DOOR.

 

Volunteers are always welcome at our monthly membership meetings. Lend a helping hand to make our monthly events and meetings even more interesting while building a great network and forming new relationships.

 

CPE credit is available for participating in any of our qualified programs.  See Nicole for more details in person at the meeting or email her at NICOLETRANNT@GMAIL.COM.




NEWSLETTER
Chair: Edronda Guiriba

We have changed our newsletter! Like the new look? Be sure to send us some feedback.

The newsletter is prepared and distributed on a monthly basis.  Visit our web site at www.afwasiliconvalley.org.  If this Chapter does not have your e-mail address, please contact Edronda at edrondaguiriba@gmail.com

 

We encourage our membership to submit articles of interest for our monthly newsletter.  Please make your submission under the following criteria...

  • Prepared as a Microsoft Word document
  • Photos in JPEG format
  • captions are okay, no imbedded text, please
  • 600 words or less




BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOD
2013-2014


July 23, 2013 Board meeting. From left to right: Eileen Perry, Edronda Guiriba, Amrit Dhaliwal, Julia Becklund, Sabrina Pacheco (back), Nicole Letellier, Sue Stokke, Nicole Sheets, Nicole Tran, Monika Miles. 


President:

Julia Becklund

Julia@pcnt.com


President-Elect:

Nicole Letellier

nicoletel@sbcglobal.net


Secretary:

Nicole Sheets

nlsheets@sbcglobal.net


Treasurer:

Sabrina Pacheco

scpacheco3@yahoo.com


Immediate Past President:

Sue Stokke

suestokkeaswa@aol.com


Hospitality Chair:

Amrit Dhaliwal

amrit@expertquote.com


CPE Compliance:

Nicole Tran

nicoletrannt@gmail.com


Newsletter Editor:

Edronda Guiriba

edrondaguiriba@gmail.com


Membership Chair:

Eileen Perry

eileen.eperry@gmail.com


Scholarship Chair:

Monika Miles

monika@labhartmiles.com


Website:

Outsourced

 

 

Click here for more info about the Roles and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors. 

 
LOOKING FOR SPONSORS
 
There are four sponsor levels of contribution established for the scholarship fund.
 
Bronze
Sponsorship up to $150.00  
 
Silver 
Sponsorship up to $300.00 
 
Gold
Sponsorship up to $500.00 
 
Platinum
Sponsorship over $500.00 
 
 
*********************
Sponsor letter and form available. 
Share the information! 
See Monika Miles for more details. 
 
 
 
Founded in 1938, AFWA/ASWA provides women in accounting and finance the leadership, education and networking opportunities needed to achieve their career goals. Celebrating 75 years as the only organization that solely represents the interest of women in the entire accounting and finance community. The organization's mission is to enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal,
professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession.
Disclaimer: The articles that appear in AFWA Silicon Valley Chapter #103 Newsletters are chosen from a variety of sources to reflect media coverage of financial and accounting professions, and business issues. An article's inclusion in AFWA Silicon Valley Chapter #103 Newsletters does not imply that the Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance Silicon Valley Chapter #103 endorses, supports, or verifies its contents or expressed opinions. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed publication.