After weeks of dreaming, drawing, designing, sawing, pounding and connecting of wires, we are in our new office suite--same building, one floor up. We are now all in one office space on the fourth floor, Suite 400. Please make a note in your address book, electronic or otherwise.
Many thanks to our clients and colleagues for your patience throughout the transition as well as to our staff members for their resilience. Special kudos to partner
Brett Mathieson, CPA, and office manager
Cindy Gunderson who spearheaded the move as well as to
Betsy Mathieson, Brett's wife, who lent her considerable design skills to the project. Stay tuned for notice regarding a post-tax-season open house!
|
|
Good news: The IRS has announced that it successfully opened the 2019 tax filing season on Monday, January 28, as planned. Nine out of 10 refunds will be made in less than 21 days; however, some returns may require additional review.
For those who are claiming the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC), refunds by law cannot be issued before Feb. 15. These refunds are expected to be available beginning Feb. 27 if taxpayers have chosen direct deposit. If you are visiting the IRS’ “
Where’s My Refund” site , please know that the site is updated only once a day.
Potential not-so-good news: Some taxpayers may have to come up with more money to pay their 2018 taxes. New tax withholding tables put out by the Treasury and the IRS were issued early in 2018, underestimating the amounts for some. Based on those tables, employees may not have had enough money withheld to cover their tax burden.
As always, we are here to help prepare your taxes, taking the complexities of the new tax laws into account.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you maximize the advantages (and mitigate disadvantages) of the new tax laws.
|
|
Our People Make a Difference
|
|
Each January the team at MMA & Co. gather for a full-day retreat, a time to celebrate the past and create the future together. This year's retreat, held at Arrowhead Golf Club, was emceed by our own
Dan Bauers who put together a stellar agenda.
Topics included continuing education in ethics presented by
Deepa Rajaram and an overview of QuickBooks, presented by
Becky Howell and
Gina Kelly. Office Manager
CIndy Gunderson gave an update on our client portals. Partner
Ron Austin, CPA, shared a firm update, acknowledging the staff for their hard work and contributions during a year of double-digit growth.
Paul Wilkin, CPA,a fan of High Point University President
Nido Qubein, contributed a motivational video from Dr. Qubein, "From Success to Significance." And no retreat would be complete without a team-building exercise, compliments of
Alice Berardi, CPA.
With a growing team in place and a vision for 2019, we are ready to be of service to you in the New Year ahead.
|
|
Ron Austin dazzled the
Lions Club of Wheaton January 29 with his presentation on tax reform. Providing an overview of the new tax laws, Ron shared about how these new laws will affect families, business owners and estates. In spite of frigid temperatures, a large and lively group of Lions attended, asking Ron great questions and expressing appreciation for his expertise.
|
|
|
If your organization is looking for a top-notch speaker to share about tax reform, please let us know. Ron's presentation style makes a very complicated subject informative and accessible.
|
|
Welcome to Our Newest Team Member
|
|
Our first-ever spring intern
Iqra Majid joined MMA & Co. this month and we are so pleased to have her on our team. Iqra is a junior at
Benedictine University, making
Dan Bauers and
Zaid Siddiqui, other Benedictine alums at the firm, proud. Besides her internship with us, Iqra works on campus for the
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum and in her "spare time" she leads the Accounting Club as president..
Through our partnership with universities like Benedictine we have an opportunity to help shape the professionals of tomorrow while offering experience to them along the way. We're proud to welcome Iqra and appreciate her spirit of learning and service.
|
|
The
Wheaton Chamber of Commerce is once again a source for opportunities to support the community--this time with "
Dine Away Hunger." This project provides us with an opportunity to a) enjoy local restaurants (this time it's
Ivy), b) support the
People's Resource Center and c) multiply that good deed with a generous matching gift from
Cadence Health. "Dine Away Hunger" is on
Thursday, Feb. 21, at Ivy--mark your calendars.
|
|
For another opportunity to dine out and do some good, join the
Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce for "
Eat Out in February Month." When you dine at
McAlister's on Feb. 7 and drop your receipt in a designated bin, the restaurant will give back 20% to the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Proceeds go to scholarships for young people who reside in the Village of Carol Stream.
|
|
As we "go to press," this area of the Midwest is experiencing minus 20 degrees below zero temperatures. We want to assure you that
in spite of the polar vortex, we're still working on your behalf. Here's hoping that wherever you are, you're safe and warm and in the company of those you care about.
Please
let us know how we can be of service to you, your family, business or colleagues--and as always, thank you for your generous referrals.
|
|
Ron Austin, CPA
Brian Eisenmenger, CPA
Brian Hagene, CPA
Brett Mathieson, CPA
Mike Moyski, CPA
John Straus, CPA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
