Have you ever listened to a podcast?

Now you have the chance to listen to special podcasts just for CPAs!

A January 2008 Arbitron-Edison Media Research study found that podcasting use is rising and now reaches 18 percent of the US population, up from 13 percent a year ago. An estimated 23 million, or 9 percent of Americans had listened to a podcast in the past month.

You don’t need an iPod to listen to a podcast. A podcast is nothing more than a digital audio file, just like any other song or MP3 file on your computer.

MSCPA will now post weekly podcasts on federal tax issues. This week, take a moment and listen to the podcast on “Tax Litigation: Learn From These Case Studies.” It’s only 20 minutes long…and you can work on other items while you listen.

http://www.mocpa.org/content/files/Podcasts/FTU_04-14-08.mp3

Keep checking back to MSCPA’s home page for each week’s new podcast!

TAX FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR STORM VICTIMS!

It’s the talk of every CPA in Missouri. And it’s no rumor...it's true! The IRS and the Missouri DOR have extended the tax return filing deadline to May 19 for victims of the recent flooding.

MSCPA has only received the official notices below:

IRS: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=180958,00.html

DOR: http://dor.mo.gov/news/2008/EkpZyZZE.htm

Calls have been made to both our local IRS stakeholder liaison office and the Missouri Department of Revenue for further clarification. We will post information to this blog and to the MSCPA website at www.mocpa.org as soon as we get it!

IFRS: Coming to America!

Are you ready for it? It’s coming…

The AICPA’s Journal of Accountancy recently published an article detailing the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which are expected to be adopted here in the United States in 2009.

Check it out!
http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/jun2007/gill.htm

Help Your Missouri Clients & Businesses Affected by Flooding

The AICPA has prepared two documents to help individuals and businesses affected by the recent storms and flooding here in Missouri.

Financial Planning: A Guide To Disaster Preparedness
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/FinPlan/

Disaster Recovery: A Guide To Financial Issues
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/

In addition, special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the president declares their location to be a major disaster area. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes.

Click here for more IRS information regarding disaster assistance:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=156138,00.html

Local announcements for Missouri can be found:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=99344,00.html

Economic Stimulus Payment Schedules and On-line Calculator

On Monday, March 17, 2008, the IRS released IR 2008-44 identifying the schedule in which Economic Stimulus payments will be distributed for returns filed by April 15, 2008. In addition, the IRS announced the availability of and on-line calculator to help taxpayers determine whether they are eligible to receive an economic stimulus payment as well as the amount.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=180247,00.html

New Hiring Resource For Missouri CPAs!

MSCPA promises not to make this blog a continuous vehicle for promotion of its own programs; HOWEVER, the new MSCPA Career Center has taken off and is proving to be a huge resource for Missouri CPAs!

Firms and companies have clearly revealed that recruiting talent is the number one priority! MSCPA is thrilled to become the clearinghouse for Missouri CPA jobs and candidates through its MSCPA Career Center.

The site launched just over a week ago...and 16 jobs have already been posted.

Check it out, bookmark it, and come back often:
http://www.mocpa.org/Content/22595.aspx

2008 Economic Stimulus Act: Incentives For New Construction

Great news for taxpayers who are embarking on a new construction project or are adding leasehold improvements in 2008 - the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 was officially signed into law on February 13, 2008, and with it, 50% bonus depreciation is back for a limited time.

For more information go to:
http://www.mocpa.org/content/files/pdfs/econstimulus.pdf