Schedule of Sessions and Special Events
Tuesday July 09, 2013 |
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Registration Open |
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Continental Breakfast |
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Importance of Direct Sellers' Independent Contractor Status |
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Responding to IRS Audits |
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International Tax Issues |
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Luncheon Speaker |
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Impacts of the Affordable Care Act on the Direct Selling Industry |
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What's Keeping CFOs Up at Night? |
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Networking Reception |
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Dinner On Your Own |
Wednesday July 10, 2013 |
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Registration Open |
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Continental Breakfast |
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State Sales Tax Agreements |
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Tax Issues for the Small Business |
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Corporate Income & Franchise Tax Issues |
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Importance of Direct Sellers’ Independent Contractor Status
It is well-established that direct salespeople are independent contractors. But what happens when this status is challenged, as has happened before and will be again? Learn steps a direct selling company can take to protect the independent contractor status and:
- The distinction between the direct seller and independent contractor classifications under state and federal laws
- How proper independent contractor classification affects your bottom line
- States’ activities challenging your field’s independent contractor status
Keith Hall, National Association for the Self-Employed
Russ Hollrah, Executive Director, Coalition to Promote Independent Entrepreneurs
John Webb, Senior Director, Government Relations, Direct Selling Association
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Responding to IRS Audits
The IRS published the Direct Sellers Audit Technique Guide to ease the auditing processes for independent contractors in our sales channel. During this session, an industry expert will discuss the highlights of the Guide and the ins and outs of distributor audits.
Joe DePetris, CPA, One Source Tax Management LLC
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
International Tax Issues
This session will focus on the most critical business and tax considerations for direct selling companies marketing and selling their products abroad. The panelists will discuss:
- The legal presence and contractual standpoints of selling into a foreign market
- An overview of the U.S., local and foreign tax issues that must be considered, as well as applicable tax treaties
- Legal structure and limited liability protection when dealing in foreign markets
Jennifer Switzer, Director, International Tax, Mary Kay Inc.
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Keynote Luncheon
Our keynote speaker is a Washington, D.C., insider who will address the current legislative environment at both the state and federal level, the future of the independent contractor status and other issues that are critical to direct selling professionals.
Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH), Representative, U.S. Congress
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Impact of the Affordable Care Act on the Direct Selling Industry
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act or ACA) enacted comprehensive health insurance reforms and will impact how businesses provide health insurance to their employees. Learn what impact the ACA will have on the direct selling industry and what provisions of the Act will apply to your business.
Rich Fuchs, President, PRO Insurance Managers, Inc.
Richard Silberstein, President, Silberstein Insurance Group
3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
What’s Keeping CFOs Up at Night
This session will focus on the issues that are at the forefront of the minds of CFOs and other accounting professionals. From taxes to sales to international expansion, a host of topics will be discussed by industry executives.
Mark Ostler, Chief Financial Officer, 4Life Research
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Mingle with your fellow participants before you head out on the town for the night! Washington, D.C., awaits, but start with some heavy hors d’oeuvres while you chat with your peers about what you’ve learned throughout the day.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
State Sales Tax Agreements
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for direct selling companies, both large and small, is the collection and remittance of state sales tax. This presentation will examine:
- Mistakes companies can inadvertently make and should be avoided
- What to include and exclude in state sales tax agreements
- States that are aggressive in collecting taxes
Jim Richmond, President, Professional Tax Services
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Tax Issues for the Small Business
A senior IRS official will provide valuable insights into the most crucial aspects of small business and self-employment. Your company and distributors can take advantage of the Small Business/Self-Employed Division’s (SBSE) services year round to understand the tax implications behind important business decisions. The session will review:
- Schedule C filings including office-in-the-home deductions, record keeping, business deductions, retirement incentives and more
- Recent SBSE activities that are helping small business owners and providing you with valuable information for your company and its salesforce
- IRS and DSA cooperative initiatives of which you can take advantage for the betterment of your company’s balance sheet
Robert Hunt, Director, Field Collection, Small Business/Self-Employed Division, Internal Revenue Service
11:00 a.m. – Noon
Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Issues
Corporate income and franchise tax laws and their application by state departments of revenue are constantly changing. Learn about developments your company needs to know to stay in compliance with the myriad state taxing jurisdictions, including:
- Recent court decisions
- Pending litigation and possible future cases
- Recently enacted legislation
Jane Fergason, Partner, Gardere & Wynne
11:00 a.m. – Noon
Box Lunches to Go