State Tax Conference Recap

December 8-9, 2005 - Orlando

The FICPA sponsored State Tax Conference was held in Orlando on December 8-9, 2005.  Approximately 70 attendees gained valuable information on a range of topics including a DOR Legal and Technical Update, Business Incentives:  Negotiated and Statutory, Sales Tax Exemptions – Are Your Clients Getting the Most Out of the Allowable Exemptions and Refunds, Abandoned and Unclaimed Property and a presentation on Sales Tax Implications Related to Internet Sales. 

A few of this year’s speakers included Edward M. Hanna, Lane Helms and Fran Beach who provided an informative panel discussion on Property Taxes; Joe Moffa who provided updates on not only Florida Sales Tax, but also gave the audience his insight on Fraud and State Tax; and Marilyn A. Wethekam and Richard D. Pomp who provided the latest Multi-State Legislative Update.

On Thursday morning Representative Frederick Brummer and Representative John Stargel were delayed in Tallassee by the Special Session, however, Jennifer Green didn’t miss a beat and provided a top notch presentation on the State of the Profession and Florida Legislative Update.

An ice storm in Texas prevented Will Yancey  from joining John Keda for their presentation on Thursday, however, John Keda stepped up to the plate and hit a home run on Computer Audits and Sampling in Florida.

Following the presentation on the Top 6 Changes in Tax Administration over the Past Year on Friday, Glenn Bedonie presented James Evers with a plaque in memory of Linda W. Bridges.  Ms. Bridges has been a true counselor, advisor and friend of the Florida Institute of CPAs and she will be greatly missed.

On Friday, Dominic Calabro, President & CEO of Florida TaxWatch, gave a special lunch presentation on A Forecast on Florida's Future Tax Structure.  

The FICPA State Tax Section had representatives at the conference and a booth with information on the FICPA Sections.  This helped provide the opportunity for attendees to network with their peers and discuss the many advantages of being involved in Sections.

Special recognition goes to the State Tax Conference Planning Subcommittee for a job well done.  The committee planned a great conference, shared their expertise as speakers and also raised sponsorship money to host a reception for the conference attendees.  The 2005-2006 committee members are:

Nancy Howard, Conference Planning Chair
Deede Weithorn, Conference Planning Vice Chair
Andrew Ames
Glenn Bedonie
Frederick Brummer
Laura DeLuca
Debra Fowler
Edward Hanna
Kevin Herzberg
Martin Kaye
Mary Kossack
George Leonard
Yanick Michel
Kenneth Rosenfield
Tracey Sellers
Carol Surowiec
Karin Vickers

A Big Thank You to the following sponsors for their support of the conference:

Quantum Engineering Associates, Inc
SALTT, LLC
Mahoney Cohen & Company, CPA, P.C.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Compupay

A conference planning meeting will be scheduled in early 2006 to begin planning the 2006 Conference.  Comments from the 2005 conference attendees will be reviewed at this meeting.  If you have any suggestions of topics for the 2006 conference agenda, please contact the 2006 Conference Planning Chair Deede Weithorn at weithorn@acfm-cpa.com.

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s conference.  Please check the FICPA website soon for details on the 2006 conference.