California's Enrolled Agents Head to the State Capitol to Speak with Political Leaders

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California Society of Enrolled Agents

Jan 08, 2013, 09:35 ET

Enrolled Agents: America's Tax Experts

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHO: This event will be hosted by the California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA), which currently represents about 4,000 federally licensed tax professionals. CSEA has nineteen affiliated Chapters throughout the state of California, in every legislative district.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101220/DC20267LOGO)

WHAT: Enrolled Agents from across California meet with their state legislators to discuss pressing taxation issues that affect all Californians. The notion of imposing taxes on services has been a topic of discussion in the Legislature. CSEA believes that placing a sales tax on personal services would adversely affect California's economy by placing an undue burden on businesses, especially those that do not currently have to report to the Board of Equalization. With any new reporting requirement, there are typically compliance challenges. Imposing tax on services harms small businesses. Many large businesses employ staff who perform specialized services and therefore avoid a service-imposed tax. Most small businesses, however, would have to contract out for specialized services and be subject to the service tax, putting them at a competitive disadvantage. Small businesses and consumers will have an increased incentive to go outside of California for specialized services, especially services that can be handled over the Internet or by email, phone, or fax. CSEA believes imposing taxes on services will do more harm than good. At such a critical economic time, California needs an increase in revenue, not a decrease. Imposing taxes on services will harm businesses, consumers and ultimately, the state.

CSEA is also working with the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to streamline the process whereby limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations stay "active" with California. This process currently requires filing a Statement of Information (SOI) and paying fees to the Secretary of State (SOS). CSEA believes that the necessary information on an SOI could be consolidated into the income or Franchise Tax Board (FTB) return filing, with a payment of the required SOS fee to maintain the entity in addition to any regular income or franchise tax due. Streamlining the FTB and SOI filings will improve compliance by simplifying the process for the business community, and would benefit the state and taxpayers alike.

Enrolled Agents are tax professionals who are licensed by the federal government to represent taxpayers and assist them with tax planning and the preparation of tax returns. Unlike CPAs or attorneys, Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation itself. With the constant changes affecting the tax codes in California, it is imperative to have a professional assisting you who specializes in taxes.

WHEN: Friday, January 11, 2013, 8:15 am - 2:30 pm

WHERE: California State Capitol, Sacramento

Available Topic Experts: For information on the listed experts, click appropriate link.

Jean Nelsen, EA
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=45395

Lonnie Gary
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=108183

Kim Kastl, EA
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=40004

David A. Shaw, EA
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=39241

Kathy Rocha, EA
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=50997

Joseph Calderaro
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=99432

SOURCE California Society of Enrolled Agents