TAX NEWS - April 2009

Free Taxpayer Events: Bill Leonard Sponsors Two Free Taxpayer Events in Ventura County

Small Business Fair May 6 and Tax Seminar for Nonprofit and Faith-based Organizations May 7

Bill Leonard, Member of the State Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced that local, state, and federal agencies will be available in Ventura on Wednesday, May 6, for a free one-day Small Business Fair and on Thursday, May 7, for a free one-day Tax Seminar for nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

Representatives from the BOE, Franchise Tax Board, Employment Development Department, the Office of the Attorney General, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Department of Labor, California Taxpayer Advocates, the California Tax Education Council, the Ventura County Community Foundation, and other local, state, and federal agencies will be available to assist attendees.

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Event: Ventura Small Business Fair
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (check-in at 8:30 a.m.)
Place: Ventura Beach Marriott
2055 East Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
Self-parking is $2.00 with validation sticker available at check-in.

Topics are presented in two workshops: Starting Your Business Workshop: Basic Sales and Use Tax, Writing a Business Plan, Making Taxes Easier for Small Businesses Filing Schedule C, State Income Tax and Small Business, and Surviving and thriving in today's Economy. Growing Your Business Workshop: Marketing Your Business, The Bottom Line – Top Dollar Advice for Tough Economic Times (Panel Discussion), Sales and Use Tax: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls, Better Business through Better Records, and Employee or Independent Contractor.

Editors - Please see two audio files for broadcast use: 25 Second PSA; 15 Second PSA

For an invitation and directions: http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/Ventura_SBF_Invite.pdf. Attendees may register for the May 6th Ventura Small Business Fair online at: www.boe.ca.gov/cgi-bin/seminar.cgi?FLAG=99

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009
Event: Ventura Tax Seminar for Nonprofit & Faith-Based Organizations
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (check-in at 8:30 a.m.)
Place: Ventura Beach Marriott
2055 East Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
Self parking is available for $2.00 with validation sticker available at check-in.

Topics to be presented include Property Tax Exemptions, Sales and Use Taxes for Nonprofit Organizations, Compliance for Existing Exempt Organizations, Employment Taxes and the Nonprofit Organization, and Regulations of Charities and Fundraisers.

Editors - Please see two audio files for broadcast use: 25 Second PSA; 15 Second PSA

For an invitation and directions: http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/Ventura_NP_Invite_web.pdf. Attendees may register for the May 7th Ventura Tax Seminar online at: www.boe.ca.gov/cgi-bin/seminar.cgi?FLAG=2

For more information, please call 888-847-9652 or visit the BOE website: http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/tpsched.htm.

Bill Leonard, of Sacramento/Ontario, was elected as the Second District Member of the State Board of Equalization in 2002 and reelected in November 2006. Prior to his election, Bill Leonard served in the State Assembly (1978-1988, 1996-2002) and in the State Senate (1988-1996).

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $53 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.