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Times Union will host eight CPAs in online, telephone forum
The Times Union and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants are teaming up to offer tax advice in advance of the April 18 filing deadline.
On March 30, starting at 5 p.m., the Times Union will host a team of CPAs from the region who will answer tax questions — both by phone and online through the Times Union website. The event will conclude at 8 p.m.
Jeremy Noble, president of the Northeast Chapter of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, will field a team of eight CPAs ready to answer even complicated questions. “It’s a public service to people who need a guiding voice with preparing their tax returns,” Noble said. Those in need of advice can call 454-5400 to ask a question during the event.
Timesunion.com will also have an online “chat” feature on its website that night for online questions. Details will be on the home page.
Noble, who is chief financial officer at the law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC, is just completing his one year term as president of the society’s local chapter. He says that some tax questions can be easy, but others can be complicated, especially if people have big changes, such as the sale of a home or the birth of a child.
“It’s a challenge to deal with them,” Noble said.
Plenty of time remains to put returns together, Noble said, and a six-month extension can be requested. The deadline for both state and federal returns was moved to April 18, a Monday, because Washington D.C., is observing Emancipation Day on April 15. By law, both federal holidays and holidays observed in the District of Columbia impact tax filing deadlines.
Noble says this is a difficult time for CPAs, who usually hunker down between January and April. But he is looking forward to taking his team from local accounting firms to the event. Similar events have also been held in Buffalo, Poughkeepsie and other cities in upstate New York.
“It will be fun,” Noble said. “It will keep us on our toes.”
