More than 100 accounting managers and staff, representing almost 50 federal departments and agencies, attended the 5th Annual Federal Agency Seminar in Washington on June 3rd. A second seminar, presented on June 18th at the EPA Conference Center in Denver, served almost 50 representatives from 15 agencies.
The day-long agenda featured presentations by the Manager and Specialists from FSLG’s Federal Agency Group, formed in September 2005 to focus outreach and compliance efforts exclusively on the federal government. They spent much of the morning covering topics of interest to accounts payable managers and specialists.
In his opening remarks, FSLG Federal Agency Group Manager Jerry Masters pointed out that FSLG continues to address federal agency educational needs through these outreach events, as well as through traditional compliance audits. FSLG’s first outreach to federal agencies was in 2003. Later that year, the General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report that highlighted information reporting problems in federal agencies. In response to that report FSLG organized its Federal Agency Group.
Topics covered by FSLG Specialists at the seminar included:
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How accurate information reporting can help close the tax gap;
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Correct use of Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, for reporting payments;
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Revenue procedures that facilitate information reporting by purchase card holders;
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Responding to Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Mismatch notices
Backup withholding;
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Determining whether workers are employees or independent contractors;
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Use of personal services contracts and volunteers;
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Relocation reimbursements and taxable travel; and
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Legislation establishing 3% withholding on providers of property and services
Social security tax on rehired federal annuitants.
IRS attorneys explained to attendees how to obtain guidance from the IRS on issues specific to their agencies. They expanded on the morning’s guidance on soliciting a formal decision from the IRS on worker classification. They also explained how to request a private letter ruling from the Service.
In the Washington seminar, senior program analyst Tom Logan from the IRS Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) International division discussed issues pertaining to foreign nationals retained as employees or independent contractors.
Audience participation was strong, sometimes spirited, throughout the seminars. Attendees asked questions and made comments that showed the topics presented addressed situations they encounter every day. Post-seminar comments revealed that those who attended were pleased with the quality and content of the presentations.
Because of the strong and enthusiastic response of agencies and the numerous questions asked by seminar participants, the Federal Agency Group plans to expand the seminar’s format to two days next year. This will afford time for more in-depth coverage of topics and for a formal period allotted to questions and answers. The times and locations of future seminars will be announced on this web page.
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