30 August 2015
Just spent 2 days at the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) annual Forum & Expo at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. This was my first time attending this event, but I do not think it will be my last. I had a great time hanging out with my fellow tax nerds, and received my required continuing education credits for both CFP and Tax Pro - delivered by experts in a great environment. And...well...did I mention it was in Las Vegas?
My biggest regret is that there were classes I couldn't take because there was not enough time. There were 24 offerings, and only 8 class sessions, so I had to try to be selective. I think I did well, getting some great insights on Schedule C and Schedule E, and a fantastic briefing on how to be the most effective when representing clients before the IRS. I feel very good that I got my money's worth.
I did OK at the poker tables, too. Of course, I left the poker winnings at the craps tables, but that's another story. I might be able to write all of that off my taxes, though, because I met a woman from Virginia who had recently started her own cleaning business and was looking for some tax advice. If I had a substantive discussion with her about her tax situation while betting on dice, wouldn't that conversation mean that the gambling was covered as a necessary business entertainment expense?
Perhaps I should leave the tax weenie humor for others...
Anyway, my hat is off to the great people at NATP for a fantastic Forum & Expo. I joined NATP so I would have access to high quality research at tax time. I didn't know they were also going to make my continuing education fun and affordable, too. Really, really happy I attended that event. Now if I could just take a decent selfie...
