.
I just got the renewal notice for my membership in the National Society of Tax Professionals in the mail. I have been a member of NSTP for at least 19 years (possibly 20). This is the first time I will not be automatically renewing my membership – I am seriously considering not renewing!
Why?
1) A big advantage to membership in NSTP and NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals), for me, was always the opportunity for a tax-deductible vacation. Each year both of the organizations would hold national conferences in a different US city. NATP still does, most recently in Atlanta. This gave me the opportunity to either discover new destinations that I would not otherwise have visited, or revisit old favorites, often staying in high-end hotels for discount prices, and to get free continuing tax education (the tax deduction provided by the trip would usually pay for the cost of the conference) in the process.
NSTP has changed its annual national convention to 4 regional conferences that tie into the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. This was good, for me, the first year with a conference in Chicago. However, this limits the location of the conference to the locations of the Forums – which pretty much remain the same each year. In addition the format and length of the conference has also changed – with two tax topics replacing the choice of several topics.
2) When it comes to the various tangible benefits (other than education) offered by the organizations – tax research, publications, website, availability of discounts via affiliate programs, etc – NATP is far superior to NSTP in every category.
Although access to the NSAP “research department” (which is not a “department” but a handful of volunteers) is free to members, it does not accept research questions via email – you must call on certain days. One of the few times I used this member benefit several years ago I was actually given an incorrect answer – and by a former IRS manager! While I have complained about the cost of using the NATP research function, which has more than doubled so far since 2000, the responses are thorough, prompt, and correct, with copies of appropriate documentation provided.
By the time one receives the monthly NSTP newsletter, the organization’s only publication, the information included is outdated – as up-to-date tax information is readily available for free at a multitude of online resources. Under Tom Cooke, and to a degree continuing under Beanna Whitlock, the newsletter contained lots of interesting non-tax information and facts and figures, often presented from the point of view of a Washington or IRS insider, which to a degree made up for its “outdated-ness”.
The NSTP website is barren compared to what is available – both to members and non-members – on the NATP site.
There are minimal state chapters – you can count them on the fingers of one hand – and no apparent attempts to expand to other states. The NJ chapter of NATP is an excellent resource for state tax education.
3) While the NSTP's annual Special Topic workshop is an excellent idea – and the one I attended provided great continuing education value – because apparently Paul LaMonaca has a time-share in the area this program will always be in the same location (city and motel) each and every year. And because of the host motel’s total lack of concern for its guests during my stay I will never return there again.
4) What it comes down to is really what I have posted in the past (from “Membership Organizations for Tax Professionals” at THE WANDERING TAX PRO) -
“My main concern with NSTP is that its benefits rely too much on the individuals at the top. When Tom Cooke, a tax law professor from Georgetown University, was the Executive Director we got a unique prospective on the tax scene from a Washington DC “insider”. Current {no longer – rdf} ED Beanna Whitlock, former IRS Director of Public Liaison, is a perfect 'replacement' for Tom, with a similar IRS insider’s prospective. Paul LaMonaca, NSTP’s other major workshop leader for many years, is also an excellent instructor. However, if Paul and Beanna decide to run off together to the Cayman Islands (or another tax shelter), and the new team is not of the same high caliber, then the organization’s effectiveness will be seriously diminished.”
While Paul and Beanna have not run off together, it seems that Paul has caused Beanna, and maybe Tom before her, to run off!
Without a Tom or Beanna as Executive Director I can see no real benefit to continuing my membership. If an educational offering interests me I can enroll as a non-member – but that may well be the extent of my continued relationship with NSTP.
To be perfectly honest, considering what I have read about the state of the Board of Directors on the NSTP website’s Message Board – without a Tom or Beanna as ED the organization must just as well disband and Paul can form a private “Gear-Up”-type continuing education company.
I sincerely welcome the comments of other NSTP members, as well as its Board, on this subject. You can email me at rdftaxpro@mail.com.
TAFN
Why?
1) A big advantage to membership in NSTP and NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals), for me, was always the opportunity for a tax-deductible vacation. Each year both of the organizations would hold national conferences in a different US city. NATP still does, most recently in Atlanta. This gave me the opportunity to either discover new destinations that I would not otherwise have visited, or revisit old favorites, often staying in high-end hotels for discount prices, and to get free continuing tax education (the tax deduction provided by the trip would usually pay for the cost of the conference) in the process.
NSTP has changed its annual national convention to 4 regional conferences that tie into the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. This was good, for me, the first year with a conference in Chicago. However, this limits the location of the conference to the locations of the Forums – which pretty much remain the same each year. In addition the format and length of the conference has also changed – with two tax topics replacing the choice of several topics.
2) When it comes to the various tangible benefits (other than education) offered by the organizations – tax research, publications, website, availability of discounts via affiliate programs, etc – NATP is far superior to NSTP in every category.
Although access to the NSAP “research department” (which is not a “department” but a handful of volunteers) is free to members, it does not accept research questions via email – you must call on certain days. One of the few times I used this member benefit several years ago I was actually given an incorrect answer – and by a former IRS manager! While I have complained about the cost of using the NATP research function, which has more than doubled so far since 2000, the responses are thorough, prompt, and correct, with copies of appropriate documentation provided.
By the time one receives the monthly NSTP newsletter, the organization’s only publication, the information included is outdated – as up-to-date tax information is readily available for free at a multitude of online resources. Under Tom Cooke, and to a degree continuing under Beanna Whitlock, the newsletter contained lots of interesting non-tax information and facts and figures, often presented from the point of view of a Washington or IRS insider, which to a degree made up for its “outdated-ness”.
The NSTP website is barren compared to what is available – both to members and non-members – on the NATP site.
There are minimal state chapters – you can count them on the fingers of one hand – and no apparent attempts to expand to other states. The NJ chapter of NATP is an excellent resource for state tax education.
3) While the NSTP's annual Special Topic workshop is an excellent idea – and the one I attended provided great continuing education value – because apparently Paul LaMonaca has a time-share in the area this program will always be in the same location (city and motel) each and every year. And because of the host motel’s total lack of concern for its guests during my stay I will never return there again.
4) What it comes down to is really what I have posted in the past (from “Membership Organizations for Tax Professionals” at THE WANDERING TAX PRO) -
“My main concern with NSTP is that its benefits rely too much on the individuals at the top. When Tom Cooke, a tax law professor from Georgetown University, was the Executive Director we got a unique prospective on the tax scene from a Washington DC “insider”. Current {no longer – rdf} ED Beanna Whitlock, former IRS Director of Public Liaison, is a perfect 'replacement' for Tom, with a similar IRS insider’s prospective. Paul LaMonaca, NSTP’s other major workshop leader for many years, is also an excellent instructor. However, if Paul and Beanna decide to run off together to the Cayman Islands (or another tax shelter), and the new team is not of the same high caliber, then the organization’s effectiveness will be seriously diminished.”
While Paul and Beanna have not run off together, it seems that Paul has caused Beanna, and maybe Tom before her, to run off!
Without a Tom or Beanna as Executive Director I can see no real benefit to continuing my membership. If an educational offering interests me I can enroll as a non-member – but that may well be the extent of my continued relationship with NSTP.
To be perfectly honest, considering what I have read about the state of the Board of Directors on the NSTP website’s Message Board – without a Tom or Beanna as ED the organization must just as well disband and Paul can form a private “Gear-Up”-type continuing education company.
I sincerely welcome the comments of other NSTP members, as well as its Board, on this subject. You can email me at rdftaxpro@mail.com.
TAFN
2 comments:
I believe that as a member of NSTP you have the right to have your opinion of the current state. But I believe that you opinion is incorrect. Paul LaMonaca did not push Beanna Whitlock or Thomas Cooke out of NSTP. They both left of their own free will.
Also, just because you are a member of NSTP, does not mean you can advertise your own brand of hate on their web board. I am bringing it to the attention of the Board of Directors, and I hope that they not only censure you, but you get banned from the web board.
Anon-
You are correct that all members of NSTP are entitled to their opinions - and the right to express these opinions.
I have no documentation as to the reason for Tom or Beanna's leaving their positions at NSTP - I was only suggesting what has been implied by the various postings on the Web Board.
Advertise my own "brand of hate"? What are you talking about? I do not hate NSTP. I have been a member for 20 years and have received much value from my membership in the past - and much of that value was due to the presence of Tom and Beanna as ED as well as the educational programs written and led by Paul LaMonaca.
In the past I have posted nothing but praise for Paul's abilities as an instructor. The quality of Paul's presentations over the years has never been an issue.
My post was to provide my personal experiences and comments on the current state of unrest among NSTP members that appears to be from the lack of complete disclosure and cooperation from the current Board of Directors.
I do believe there may be conflict-of-interest and inurement issues with Paul being both a Board member, now President, and the only "bidder" on the "contract" for providing educational materials at what may possibly be an above-market price.
The censuring of the opinions of members on the Web Board by the Board of Directors would only make maters worse.
If I decide not to renew my membership I will no longer have access to the Web Board - so you will not have to worry about my offending your delicate sensitivies.
If anyone has information that would shed light on the situation at NSTP - or wish to seriously respond to the specific items discussed in my post - your comments are welcome here.
RDF
Post a Comment