Early Registration Discount Now Available for Tax Forums

As the Nationwide Tax Forums are about to begin, the IRS invites tax professionals and financial planners to make their reservations for one of six forums being held throughout the country. Those who sign up by the pre-registration date pay less than the full fee, a savings of $129.

The Nationwide Tax Forums are three-day events that provide tax professionals with the most up-to-date tax information on changes in the tax law and its administration at presentations by IRS experts and partnering organizations. Forums offer an opportunity to receive up to 18 continuing professional education (CPE) credits through a variety of training seminars and workshops.

2009 Registration Fees, Dates and Locations

The cost of enrollment is $206 per person, per city for pre-registration and then $335 up to and including on-site registration. Pre-registration ends two weeks prior to the start of each forum.

Las Vegas July 7-9, pre-register by June 23
San Diego July 14-16 pre-register by June 30
Orlando, Fla. August 4-6, pre-register by July 21
New York August 25-27, pre-register by August 11
Dallas September 8-10, pre-register by August 25
Atlanta September 22-24, pre-register by September 8

This year, 40 separate seminars and three workshops are being offered, each of which qualifies for CPE credit for enrolled agents and certified public accountants. Additionally, 17 of the 40 qualify for continuing education credit for certified financial planners, pending review and acceptance by the Certified Financial Planner Board.

Members of the following participating associations qualify for discounted enrollment costs:
• American Bar Association
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• National Association of Enrolled Agents
• National Association of Tax Professionals
• National Society of Accountants
• National Society of Tax Professionals

In addition to the seminars, the forums also feature a two-day expo with representatives from the IRS, tax, financial and business communities offering their products, services and expertise. Practitioners are invited to bring an active case to the forums to work with IRS personnel on site for resolution.

In a survey of 2008 attendees the forums received a 99 percent satisfaction rate. Attendees stated that their participation enabled them to offer greater technical expertise to meet their clients’ needs. 2009 marks the 19th year that the IRS has used these forums to help educate and interact with the tax professional community.

FLORENCE SEX OFFENDER GUILTY FOR NOT REGISTERING

United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated that Rakeem Lavone Everett, age 30, of Florence, pled guilty in federal court to failing to register as a sex offender, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250(a). United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten accepted the plea and will impose sentence at a later date.

In March 1998, Everett was convicted of endangering the welfare of a child in New Jersey and designated as a sex offender. Everett failed to maintain or update his registration as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In May 2008, New Jersey authorities requested the assistance of the United States Marshals office in apprehending Everett, and he was arrested in Florence on June 4, 2008.

Everett admitted he failed to notify New Jersey authorities that he was moving, and failed to register in South Carolina as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Everett can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for 10 years.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.