Unfinished business in 2003 presages busy 2004.

• Author: Rossi, Raymond G.
• Position: Tax Executives Institute - President's Page

As 2003 comes to an end, it is fitting to review TEI's recent activities, to offer acknowledgments and thanks for a job well done, and to look forward with anticipation to what the new year will likely bring. The year has been extremely busy, and 2004 promises more of the same.

In the past 12 months, we have seen another round of tax cuts enacted, progress made (but not completed) on legislative proposals that would fundamentally change how U.S. business is taxed; numerous sets of regulations proposed, revised, and finalized; a recalibration of the IRS's enforcement resources (and fine-tuning of LMSB audit initiatives), as well as correlative developments in the States; a change of governments in Canada; and significant changes in personnel in important tax policy and administration positions. To each of these challenges, TEI and its members responded promptly and effectively. While much work lies ahead, a summary of the Institute's recent educational, networking, and advocacy efforts underscores why, as it begins its 60th year, TEI remains the preeminent association of business tax professionals.

Continuing Education

In survey after survey, education and networking are ranked the number one and two reasons tax professionals join TEI. The Institute's fourth quarter educational programs demonstrated why. Our 58th Annual Conference offered a broad array of technical sessions to the more than 600 tax executives who attended. From cross-border privilege issues to permanent establishment developments, from IRS initiatives and the States' assault on tax planning techniques to corporate governance challenges, from tax issues in bankruptcies and workouts to the paperless office and tax accrual workpapers, conference registrants heard one outstanding presentation after another.

The conference also put on display a key skill of all tax professionals: the ability to adapt. Late-breaking developments in Washington threatened to wreak havoc with the conference as several government speakers were forced to cancel their trips to Atlanta, but our committees responded with confidence and calm as we reworked our schedule to deliver timely and provocative sessions. I offer special thanks to our keynoters--Pam Olson, Helen Hubbard, Cindy Mattson, and John Petrella--who adjusted their hectic schedules to be with us, as well as Bill Sample, Bob Shapiro, and Fred Murray who coped admirably with the "disappearance" of more than half of their legislative update...