In Tune With the Season

By Jerry Sample, CPA

The Bible, and later the Byrds, told us: “To everything there is a season … a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which has been planted.” Farming is a good metaphor for those of us with tax practices.

Our busy season runs from late winter to early fall, and we spend the balance of the year repairing and preparing for the next productive season. We are now well into the season of reflection and projection.

The past year has been singular in many respects—both good and bad. What, if anything, have we learned from it? What are we doing to prepare for next year? These questions are not rhetorical; they are sincere solicitations for your input. This column is a blog and requires your input to work. Chapter leadership needs constant renewal and input from members on issues of importance to them. Please help me make this blog successful. Let the chapter leadership know how we can better meet the needs of you, our members.

December is when nominations are due for 2009–10 fiscal year state and chapter offices. Nomination forms are available online, and most nominations are self-nominations. However, I suspect there are a number of potential leaders who are uncomfortable nominating themselves. If you know of any potential leaders, please do the chapter, them and yourself a favor by nominating them. Just ask them. Even if they turn you down, they will be flattered, and their estimation of your intelligence will increase substantially.

On another note, we’re all feeling the pinch (or punch?) of the economic downturn. We bemoan our declining stock portfolios and retirement plans, and provide somber advice to our worried clients. We’re cutting back on unnecessary spending and wondering where it will all lead. We’re watching for any sign of positive economic news. We’re hanging in there, but we’re feeling some pain. Still, do we really know what it’s like to go without? Maybe not. I recently spoke with Kristy Koberna, the executive director of Tax-Aid, who provided some startling facts.

Of the more than 3,400 working, low-income clients that Tax-Aid served last tax season, 35 percent did not have health insurance, and 10 percent did not have checking or savings accounts, which left them prey to exorbitant check-cashing fees on payday. Many of the families experienced economic crises: nearly 9 percent went without food or other necessities to survive … and this was before the downturn. Forget foreclosures—these people are living totally on the edge, right here in San Francisco. So, while we’re coping with our own versions of having “less,” let’s keep in mind those who have little or nothing. I encourage all of you to consider volunteering for Tax-Aid. Your time could help these families get a refund that literally pays for their food and shelter.

— Jerry Sample, CPA

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 11:59 am and is filed under President's Message. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.