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  • 30 Nov 2022 1:24 PM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    Much of what follows was extracted from the Security Summit Presentation by IRS Tax Practitioner Stakeholder Liaison Jill Maniacci. 

    Take extra steps during the holiday season to protect yourself, your clients and your business against fraudsters. Visit IRS.gov/securitysummit to learn about the extra preventative steps that every tax professional should take.

    Scams are annually on the increase during the tax filing season. Watch out for fake e-mails. Never click on an imbedded hyperlink. These scams leverage common public information about you to con you out of personal and financial information. 

    Remember that the IRS does not email or call taxpayers to demand payments or release refunds. Nor does the IRS want prepaid gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS does not ask for social media, login credentials

    Scams often include urgent messaging that require you to re-authenticate login information. Some scams hide behind a screen, such as the employee/W2 Identity Theft Central Operations. The IRS does offer an Identity Theft Central Business section. Tax professionals should familiarize themselves with the IRS operation at IRS.gov.

    The elderly and all non English proficient Americans are most commonly targeted for contact scams. All taxpayers and tax professionals are subject to email scams.

    Scam emails might be similar to a familiar style, but can be poorly written, include an attachment, include a suspicious source email address. Forward such unsolicited emails to Phishing@IRS.gov and then delete. These scam emails often install malware on your computer. A common tactic is underlined with an expired software license or failed bank deposit.

    Use string passwords, at least 12 upper and lower case letters mixed with numbers and special symbols, such as 8rU1n5*And*r3ds0x.

    An e-filed rejection due to duplicate Social Security Number is an known sign of tax related ID theft, as is an IRS notice for a tax year that the taxpayer did not file a return for. File form 14039 and check out IRS.gov/IDTheft. The IRS sends letter to taxpayers about suspicious tax returns with phone and online contact information.

    All businesses, individuals and tax professionals should apply for an IP PIN at IRS.gov/IPPIN. IP PIN’s are valid for one calendar year and protect your federal tax account from ID theft.

    The Federal Trade Commission has published small business recommendations at FTC.gov. Search “CyberSecurity for Small Business” in the search phrase box.

    In summary:

    • Protect Files, even paper files.
    • Update Security Software
    • Encrypt devices, including Iphones and Icloud storage
    • Use multi-factor authentication
    • Secure your router
    • Train Your staff

    On your website pages that have message us features, imbed something like CAPTCHA to separate individual from machine generated contacts

    Contact Jill.A.Maniacci@IRS.gov for more information about Client Data Security.

  • 26 Oct 2022 2:29 PM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    Anyone who wants to be on the mailing list to participate in the next RI/MA meeting should email Jill Maniacci. The IRS wants practitioner feedback from everyone. Your experience and success when working with the IRS is valued.  Please send questions, concerns and suggestions to Jill.A.Maniacci@IRS.gov

    Maggie Romaniello, Margaret.A.Romaniello@IRS.gov, 860-594-9016, Area 2 Manager Stakeholder Field Communications & Liaison offered at least items

    1. Online self-help tools are available to help practitioners. Utilize the new and improved online 2848 submission, transcript delivery, and installment agreement services. Practitioners have reacted very favorably to the online upload of Power Attorney, Form 2848, feature.
    2. Find the latest IRS operations updates at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue. Bookmark this page and make it one of your favorites.
    3. Maggie shared an article by the outgoing IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig. His five year term expires in mid-Novembers of this year. Some highlights are…
    • More than 50,000 IRS employees, hired in the 70’s, are retiring over the next few years
    • The majority of new hires will staff the phone lines.
    • Criminal Investigations expects to hire about 300 people.
    • More than 97% of IRS employees do not carry a gun.
    • Taxpayers with income from w-2’s and 1099;s are by far the most compliant
    • The increased funding is spread out over 10 years.
    • The current IRS staffing level is 2/3’s what it was in 1992.

    Bob Allen & Dee Woodward, Massachusetts Local Taxpayer IRS Advocates, are available to resolve individual taxpayer problems that are not handled properly or timely. Taxpayers have the right to quality service. Fax form 911 to Andover at 855-807-9700 or Boston at 855-836-9625. Bob mentioned he saw an uptick of issues about tax returns of deceased taxpayers. He reminded tax preparers that in the case of a single taxpayer to submit form 1310, the court appointed personal represented appointment, and a copy of the death certificate. In the case of a surviving spouse the IRS is supposed to process the return without delay.


  • 19 Sep 2022 2:23 PM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    The Massachusetts Society of Enrolled Agents is looking for volunteers and instructors for its 1040 Tax Update courses. Being schedule for this December and January, be part of the team to help educate your fellow enrolled agents. 

    Next meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, September 22 at 10:00 AM.

    If you're interested in helping your fellow EAs, please email Greg Zakarian at greg@zakassociatesinc.com or by phone at 978-822-8032.

  • 13 Jun 2022 8:53 AM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    Practice established in 1984 and operated as a sole proprietorship with no employees. Prepares 600 plus individual returns. We are currently using Drake Tax SoftwareAsking $99,000.

    Contact: Gerard Bolduc

    Email: gerard@abacus.comcastbiz.net


  • 8 Jun 2022 7:40 PM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    MaSEA 2022 Annual Meeting

    June 09, 2022

    In accordance with the Bylaws of the Massachusetts Society of Enrolled Agents, Inc., Article VI, Section 6.02a, I, Amit Johar EA, call all members in good standing to the society's Annual Meeting on Thursday June 9, 2022 virtually. The Annual Meeting shall convene at 4:00 PM.

    At the MaSEA Annual Meeting, Dave Tolleth, (Phd, EA, NTPI Fellow, and past president of NAEA & NJSEA), will deliver the NAEA update. His message provides an essential foundation for the MaSEA Strategic Plan. His message is also important to every NAEA member to understand the initiatives and deliverables of our national association.

    The keynote address this year is delivered by the President of the Center for Taxpayer Rights Keith Fogg. Before retiring from Harvard Law School Professor Fogg won a unanimous decision from the US Supreme Court and against the IRS. Boechler Law Firm in Fargo, ND was assessed $19,250 in penalties for problems with its 2012 tax filing and filed a late Tax Court petition. The US Supreme Court reversed lower court decisions and allows that a taxpayer with good reason is allowed to file late. Due to this ruling much litigation is expected to follow with regards to expiration date statutes. Not only are participants allowed a review of the case as it evolved, but also insights as to ramifications of what will come. One free IRS CPE is available from this presentation.


  • 14 Apr 2022 9:57 AM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)


    The IRS is cordially inviting you and your small business owner/self-employed members and clients to join us for our annual 2022 Spanish Hearing All Voices Small Business event on Wednesday May 18, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

    Hear directly from IRS Executives on topics to help small businesses succeed. Join the conversation on how the IRS can better serve small businesses. Let the IRS know about issues and concerns regarding preparing and paying taxes.

    Presentations from IRS will include:

    • How to avoid common tax problems and tax scams
    • The examination process and payment options 
    • Employment taxes-employee vs. independent contractor
    • How IRS is improving its services to small business owners

    Following the presentations, a Listening Session will be held for participants to voice their questions and concerns.

    When: Wednesday May 18, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

    Where: In the Convenience of Your Home or Office via Zoom 

    The event is FREE!! 

    To Register, click HERE

    You should receive a confirmation email from Zoom after completing registration.

    You can also view the Spanish Hearing All Voices at Webinars for Small Businesses | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

    Please share this information with anyone you feel would benefit from this meeting. 

    Spanish HAV Flyer -May 18 2022 (ENG).pdf

  • 10 Feb 2022 9:59 AM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    We all want to know. Unfortunately, the IRS has not yet ruled if this is taxable. MA will follow whatever the IRS decides. (MA has been waiting about 3 years for a ruling.)

    The IRS ruled that CA's PFML is taxable and the contributions are deductible as medical expenses (subject to 7.5% threshold) on Sch. A. (Side note: CA does not tax the PFML at the state level.) Because the IRS ruled that CA's is taxable, it is probably safest to tell clients to assume taxable unless we hear differently. 

    Beth Logan

    Past President, MaSEA

  • 2 Feb 2022 10:38 AM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently issued a proclamation, which states that February 4, 2022 is officially Massachusetts Society of Enrolled Agents Day. 

    The proclamation briefly states the history of the profession of enrolled agents, dating back to the Civil War, as well as the importance of enrolled agents to society. 

    You can view the complete proclamation below.


  • 21 Dec 2021 9:01 AM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    2021 NAEA Award Recipients

     

     

    MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

    JOHN WARREN, EA F, NTPI Fellow 


    If you have ever been to an MaSEA event you have met this recipient. As a past president of MaSEA and nominating, education, 1040 update, SEE Prep, membership committee member he wears all the hats. He has mentored so many people, myself included, He’ll find every member in every corner of the state to get them involved and feel welcomed!  He heads up roundtable meetings for small groups, picnic gatherings during Covid to tell us about Child Tax credits, a Cable TV show on CAPE COD TV, he’s an asset to the Low-income tax clinics in MA. Did I mention state tax issues, he’ll show you how to contact your legislatures and what bill to write them about, how to get the MA proclamation for Enrolled Agent Day. A new hot topic, like QBI John held several small classes to teach us all about it, I’ve never seen anyone get so excited about teaching us all this fun stuff! He will make sure to connect you with the Taxpayer Advocates, the IRS liaison monthly calls etc.


    See The Rest Of The NAEA And Recipients Below

     EMERGING LEADER AWARD – LuSUNDRA EVERETT, EA

    LuSundra is a military spouse from VA. She became an EA in 2017, she is an NTPI fellow, has served on the VASEA since 2018 and is currently a member of the NAEA membership committee. Evidently, she is famous for her Facebook live videos on tax tidbits and her social media presence on FB and YouTube. I wish I had met her when she was a member of MaSEA.

     EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC AWARENESS – KERRY FREEMAN, EA

    Kerry has been the Public Relations chair for AZ for the past 15 years, and for NAEA for the past 5 years. He was the first to fly a banner over the Super Bowl in 2015. In 2016 Kerry started a campaign for each affiliate to solicit a proclamation from their state leaders about the importance of Enrolled Agents at the state level, 19 states participated. In 2019 he got the National Day Calendar to recognize February as Enrolled Agent month. He is currently a Director for NAEA.

    LEE BYRD OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – CYNTHIA LEACHMOORE, EA 

    This next EA does it all! She has been volunteering for over 20 years at the local chapter, state affiliate and for NAEA. She has been a Director, Education Chair, Vice President, President and Secretary at various levels. She has been on the Government Relations Committee, Leadership Development Committee etc. She mentors, teaches and encourages leaders in various programs throughout our organization. Cynthia is currently the Secretary for NAEA.

    EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD -CLARICE LANDRETH, EA

    This young lady works diligently to provide the best education possible. Her technical knowledge, materials and extensive research ensure that NTPI is the best program for practitioners to learn about representation. She and the subcommittee have worked extensively to develop a new NTPI program that will have a long-term impact on the quality of NAEA education. When she is not teaching or planning, she is answering questions on the Webboard or FB.

    BILL PAYNE ADVOCACY AWARD – TWILA MIDWOOD, EA, NTPIF

    This recipient has held many positions in NAEA.  As our Government Relations Chair, with little GR experience, she went above and beyond facing some unusual circumstances. First the pandemic shutdown, then the Minnesota legal issue, a new GR manager was hired. She was able to “keep the ship afloat” by adapting virtually to make sure all the bases were covered. When the IRS or the Government Accountability Office requested input, she was quick to respond and keep NAEA in the unique position as a trusted partner in the tax administration. OPR requested NAEA assistance in their process of revising Circular 230, she represented NAEA in those interactions adding to recognition of NAEA. All while serving on the NAEA board and the newly formed PAC Board.

    FOUNDERS AWARD – ALEXANDER B. THOMSON, EA, CFP

    This next recipient has served many different positions in NAEA. He has been on several committees and task forces over the years, His knowledge of the association, collaborative work on committees and willingness to share and support his fellow EA’s in leadership roles has left his mark.  His most notable contribution is his work in helping to form the PAC. He kept it moving forward by choosing a great leader and mentoring them through the process. As I’ve learned in SSLA, part of being a good leader is to find your replacement sooner rather than later!

    Congrats to all of the NAEA Award recipients!

    Marilyn Brodeur

    2nd Vice President, MaSEA


  • 22 Nov 2021 12:33 PM | MaSEA Staff (Administrator)

    Leslie Book in ProcedurallyTaxing.com picked up on a hot issue that often comes before our Area Practitioner Stakeholder Liaisons. ENQ is a phone service that predials IRS phone lines and holds a place in the queue for its subscribers. Critics complain that this service contributes to clogged IRS phone access. Les mentions that US Senators Warner, Young, Menendez & Cassidy have contacted IRS Commissioner Rettig to assess the service.

    You can download the letter by click the link below.

    Senators IRS Letter re Call EnQ (11_18_2021).pdf

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