The year in review.

• Author: Cherecwich, Paul, Jr.
• Position: Initiatives and accomplishments of Tax Executives Institute

This column marks that last time, other than in the Annual Report, that I will have the opportunity to address the entire membership as TEI's President. Les Ezrati of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter will write the "President's Corner" column in the next issue, and if he follows tradition, he will devote some portion of his first column to setting forth his goals for the year. I have the utmost confidence in Les's ability to lead the Institute, and I wish him well.

Tradition also has it that TEI's President devotes his or her last column to reviewing the Institute's activities during the year. I am absolutely delighted to do that because for me -- and I believe for TEI, too -- the year has been both enjoyable and productive. From our educational programs to our advocacy efforts to our membership outreach, TEI has accomplished a great deal. Perhaps the best way to summarize the year, and enable readers to judge for themselves whether we have made progress, is to review the goals that were set for TEI at the beginning of my term.

First, TEI should work to enhance the effectiveness of its liaison meetings net just at the national level but at all levels of TEI. It is vitally important for the Institute to maintain its strong ties with government officials in both the United States and Canada. TEI's annual liaison meetings with the IRS National Office and Revenue Canada have been second to none in their timeliness and thoroughness. I was privileged to lead the Institute's delegation to meetings with the IRS, Treasury Department, Revenue Canada, and the Canadian Department of Finance, as well as the Federation of Tax Administrators. These national efforts were complemented by local and regional meetings, as well as by informal meetings with other organizations, including the Multistate Tax Commission.

In addition to formal liaison meetings, TEI has been invited to participate on the Steering Committee implementing a restructuring of Canada's tax system, as well as in the Canadian budget review "lock up." (The Institute's recommendations in respect of the proposed Canada Revenue Agency -- and the government's positive response -- are set forth in this issue.) More recently, representatives of' both the United States and the Canadian governments recommended to the OECD that TEI be included in consultations on electronic commerce issues. Please be assured that we shall take up the challenge. Incidentally, TEI is also represented on the steering...