Stacie's Tax Stuff

WASHINGTON  The next 2014 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum will be held at National Harbor in Maryland near Washington, D.C., and the IRS invites enrolled agents, certified public accountants, certified financial planners and other tax professionals to attend. Those who sign up by the pre-registration date of Aug. 5 will save $130 off the on-site price.

The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums are three-day events that provide tax professionals with the most up-to-date information on federal and state tax issues presented by experts from the IRS and its partner organizations through a variety of training seminars and workshops. John M. Dalrymple, IRS Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement, will give the keynote speech at the National Harbor forum.

The forums previously held this summer in Chicago, San Diego and New Orleans were well attended. Including the upcoming forum at the National Harbor, there are only two remaining opportunities to attend a forum this year.

Remaining Forums

The cost of enrollment for those who pre-register is $225 per person, a savings of $130 off the late or on-site registration price of $355.  Pre-registration ends two weeks prior to the start of each forum.

More than 40 separate seminars and workshops are being offered, and enrolled agents and certified public accountants may earn up to 18 Continuing Professional Education Credits in each location.  Additionally, these seminars may qualify for continuing education credit for certified financial planners, pending review and acceptance by the Certified Financial Planner Board.

A few days before the start of each forum, attendees will be able to download, print or to load onto their mobile devices slide presentations from the seminars.

National Participating Association Members

Members of the participating associations below qualify for discounted enrollment costs if they meet the pre-registration deadlines above. Members who meet the early registration deadline would pay $215 and should contact their association directly for more information:

• American Bar Association (ABA)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)
• National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
• National Society of Accountants (NSA)
• National Society of Tax Professionals (NSTP)

Case Resolution Room

After a one year hiatus, the IRS Case Resolution Program has returned to the Tax Forums.  Between 2011 and 2012, the Case Resolution staff has worked over 2,100 cases with a resolution rate of over 97 percent. Tax professionals who plan to meet with IRS representatives about actual cases are reminded to bring a valid power of attorney.

Exhibit Hall

In addition to the seminars, the forums also feature a two-day expo with representatives from tax, financial, and business communities offering their products, services and expertise designed with the tax professional in mind.

In a survey of 2013 attendees, the forums received an overall 94 percent satisfaction rate. 2014 marks the 24th year that the IRS has hosted these forums to help educate and interact with the tax professional community.

Registration Information

For more information, or to register online, visit  www.irstaxforum.com.

It can be hard to understand taxes in any language. It can be even more difficult if English isn’t your first language. The IRS provides many free products and services on its Spanish language web pages. Make IRS.gov/espanol your first choice to visit for tax help in Spanish. Here are some of the tax resources “en Español” that you can get from the IRS this summer:

• Get answers 24/7.  IRS.gov/espanol is available all day, every day for individuals and businesses. You can even get help in Spanish for your unique circumstances ― like tax centers for agricultural workers and truckers. You can also get help if you’re facing financial difficulty at the “Centro Tributario para Asistir a Contribuyentes Desempleados.”
• Use IRS Free File.  IRS Free File is the best way to e-file your federal income tax return for free. Available only on IRS.gov in English or Spanish, IRS Free File is fast, easy, and safe. Use Free File through Oct. 15 if you still need to file your 2013 tax return.
• Get health care tax information.  The IRS website also has information about the Affordable Care Act tax provisions in both English and Spanish to educate individuals and businesses on how the health care law may affect them. The pages provide information about tax provisions that are in effect now and those that will go into effect in 2015 and beyond. Visitors will find information about the law and its provisions, legal guidance, the latest news, frequently asked questions and links to additional resources.
• Use IRS online tools.  Order free transcripts and get them within 5 to 10 business days. Check the status of your refund through “¿Dónde está mi reembolso?” You can also use “Asistente EITC” to find out if you’re eligible for a tax credit for people who work but don’t earn a lot of income.
• Get tax forms and publications.  View and download several tax forms and publications in Spanish from IRS.gov/espanol.
• Get the latest on new tax laws.  You can get the most up-to-date information on tax law changes by typing “Noticias en Español” in the IRS.gov search box. You can sign up to get tax tips in Spanish by e-mail.
• Get tips at the Multimedia Center.  Video tax tips and audio podcasts on various IRS topics are available in English and Spanish. Search using the keywords “Centro Multimediático.”
• Follow IRS on Twitter.  Connect with the IRS through social media. Get the latest IRS tax news and information “en Español” through Twitter @IRSenEspanol.
• Check out IRS2Go. The free IRS app for smartphones and android devices is also available in English and Spanish.

The official IRS website address is IRS.gov. Don’t be fooled by sites that end in .com, .net, .org or designations other than .gov.