Peninsula/Silicon Valley Chapter
A blog for and by a community of professionals
Archive for the ‘President’s Message’ Category
November 30th, 2010
By Laura C. Olson, CPA
December is usually a month of planning for the new year. This year we still have the need to plan, but we have little guidance on what the tax law will look like for 2010 and 2011. By the time this goes to press we hopefully will know what is happening with the Bush tax cuts and other numerous tax plans. Are the proposed cuts really going to further limit the mortgage interest deduction? How will this affect the California real estate market? Will the tax rates increase? We will have to wait and see—and then guide our clients as best we can with unstable ground (laws) under our feet.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
November 1st, 2010
By Laura C. Olson, CPA
My heart froze as I flipped through my mail and saw the IRS logo and return address on an envelope. I am a CPA and deal with the IRS as a professional all of the time, so you would think I would not panic at seeing the “envelope.” After my logical brain took over the “fear and flight” response, I opened the envelope and read the reminder that I needed to register my PTIN with the IRS before I prepare my first tax return in 2011.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
September 28th, 2010
By Laura C. Olson, CPA
Some of you may know that I live along the coast in Half Moon Bay, and October in my community always means it is pumpkin time: pumpkin farms, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin traffic! It is also time to wrap up the 2010 tax season and start planning for next year. It is a great time to get away and re-energize with a much-needed break.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
August 27th, 2010
By Laura C. Olson, CPA
I walked away from CalCPA Council—a little dizzy from riding Space Mountain at Disneyland—but with a sense of belonging to a profession, rather than just having a job. As CPAs, we have a responsibility to our clients, our firms, employees and employers, as well as to our profession. It is amazing what CalCPA does for us as a profession.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
June 29th, 2010
By Laura C. Olson, CPA
Hey, fellow members, there are many things happening that impact us as we head into the summer and enjoy some of our nicest weather of the year. From the golf course to disclosure issues to use tax rules, there are some key items to look at that affect our clients and us.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
June 2nd, 2010
By Laura C. Olson, CPA
Our chapter will team up with the Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter and the Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council June 8 to present our Ninth Annual Estate Planning Symposium. I look forward to learning how to deal with uncertainty over the estate tax. Please join me at this event.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
April 15th, 2010
By Michael A. Thompson, CPA
In reflecting on this past year, it’s clear that it is our members who make the chapter a success.
Membership: As CalCPA reached its 100th year, our chapter surpassed 1,000 licensed members, which gives us one additional seat on CalCPA Council and increased leadership visibility.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
January 29th, 2010
By Michael A. Thompson, CPA
We have had tremendous legislative success this past year in Sacramento with the passing of substantial equivalency and license status disclosure. Mobility legislation is still on the plate, and the California Board of Accountancy now requires peer review. This is quite an accomplishment as we approach CalCPA’s April 30 year-end.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
January 4th, 2010
By Michael A. Thompson, CPA
Surprise! We just entered a new decade: 2010! You’ll spend the next few months working on tax returns from last decade. In anticipation of those heads-down months, I want to encourage you to update your firm profile on CalCPA’s “Find a CPA.” I also want to get you out of your office so you can attend our chapter social in Palo Alto and CPA Day at the Capitol in Sacramento. Here are the details:
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
December 9th, 2009
By Michael A. Thompson, CPA
The holiday season is here, and you are well aware that there are only a few weeks left for tax planning opportunities. In this year-end message, may I suggest talking to your clients about donating to their favorite charity? And don’t forget the chapter’s new year’s mixer.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share