Events - Event View

Topic: Now That The Section 409A Amendments Are Done - Key Qualified and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Compliance Issues For 2009 and Later Years

This presentation will discuss likely areas of IRS audit and enforcement activities in the deferred compensation arena, as well as the recent stimulus legislation and its potential impact on deferred compensation arrangements.

Speaker: Michael H. Woolever, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

Moderator: Leonard Samczyk, United Stationers Supply Co.

Topic: Illinois and Wisconsin Tax Update; Tax Audit Trends including proposed new California Regulation on Audit Procedures

This presentation will begin with an update on current Illinois and Wisconsin sales/use tax developments. The recently proposed new California regulation governing audit procedures and timing will then be explored. The result will be a practical guide to emerging tax trends, audit issues and typical methodologies employed by Departments of Revenue to examine taxpayer compliance. This interactive dialogue will not only enhance your understanding of Illinois and Wisconsin taxes, but also prepare you for the current tax audit environment.

Speakers: Paul Bogdanski, Grant Thornton LLP
Dennis Cohen, California Board of Equalization

Moderator: Kevin Mullen, Cenveo, Inc.

Topic: Latest Trends in Capital Markets

Volatility in current financial markets presents corporate tax executives with both substantial opportunities and pitfalls. More specifically, this presentation will cover the following topic areas:
- Section 987 planning
- Currency considerations in repatriations
- Debt placement and restructuring - currency and credit crisis implications
- Taxation of derivative financial instruments

Speakers: Paul Sikes and Tim Wichman, Ernst & Young LLP

Moderator: Christopher Desmond, Ceteris

Topic: Overview of the 2008 Statutory and Regulatory Changes to the Illinois Corporate Income Tax / Significant Michigan Business Tax Changes

Description: Discussion of Illinois apportionment formula sales factor sourcing changes; 2008 adopted income tax regulations; and proposed income tax regulations.

Discussion of recent Michigan legislative changes including the following:
- Decoupling from Bonus Depreciation;
- Decoupling from the Domestic Production Activities Deduction;
- Modification of the MBT Definition of “Gross Receipts;"
- Expanded ITC Credit for Gas and Electric Utilities;
- Bonus Depreciation Credit; and
- Modified Definition of a Foreign Operating Entity.

Speakers: Shawn Kane and Lisa Pohl, Crowe Horwath LLP

Moderator: Fred Yates

Topic: Federal Compliance Update

Our speakers will address changes in the Federal Return the tax year 2008 and provide a walk through of schedules such as the M-3, highlighting the key components. Issues encountered in preparing disclosures will also be discussed. This session is geared for the young tax professional.

Speakers: Amy Times, Manager, Business Tax Compliance, Ernst & Young LLP
Staci Richardson, Senior Manager, Business Tax Compliance, Ernst & Young LLP

Moderator: Kenneth Schafer, Schneider Electric North America

Topic: Start Reading Smart! Learn new ways to increase your reading speed and comprehension

Description: Ken Budka brings us new techniques to improve our reading speed, comprehension, and ways to improve productivity, concentration, and understanding of the materials read. This is a “Can’t Miss” session for personal development.

Speaker: Ken Budka, Freedom Personal Development

Moderator: Kevin Ake

Topic: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PITCH - The TV Spiels of Chicago's Ronco and Popeil

The Popeil Family built a dynasty developing clever gadgets made irresistible through their hard-to-ignore television commercials, using live demonstration selling techniques honed in places like Chicago's Maxwell Street Market. Their creative blend of hustle and chutzpah was not only effective for selling such products as the Veg-O-Matic, Pocket Fisherman and Mr. Microphone decades ago; it's still effective today as a method of salesmanship and promotion. A demonstration of sample pitches and the slicing of vegetables with vintage products will also be featured.

Speaker: Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Moderator: Jim Horvath, The Chicago Tax Club