2000 CSEA’s Legislative Affairs Committee successfully negotiates a safe harbor cover letter for Members to use with financial statements. Super Seminars attract attendees from 44 states and one foreign country. CSEA dues increase to $105.
2001 The Board of Directors approves a new Vision Statement, including a Core Purpose, Core Values, BHAG, and Vivid Description. The Society’s website is updated and revamped, with new Members-only areas, including a timely legislative update and a bulletin board. The third Tax Boat sails in October, destination: the Panama Canal. Membership benefit offerings are increased to provide dollar savings to members far in excess of current dues. Membership stands at approximately 4,000.
2002 Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the Society presents its Charter Members with special pins at its Annual Meeting in Pleasanton. It’s a year of milestones, as the 20th annual Super Seminars are held in Las Vegas and Reno. Additional educational and professional benefit programs are offered, including C-STAR (a 2-level seminar devoted to representation) and Next Step, which offers Members assistance in developing business plans. CSEA successfully leads the fight against mandatory e-filing. California Enrolled Agent magazine is revamped and redesigned, and now includes monthly articles about Member benefits, PIA efforts, and website expertise.
2003 California passes mandatory e-filing legislation, but CSEA’s efforts provide a number of protections for tax professionals, including a client “opt-out” clause. The Next Step program is expanded to include seminars in Hiring, Acquiring, and Training Staff and Office Procedures. A new category for Student Associates is approved by membership at the Annual Meeting in Bakersfield, and thousands of posters and brochures are sent to schools, colleges, and adult education centers across the state. Extensive radio advertising runs throughout tax season on the popular Bob Brinker MoneyTalk program; the ads are read by Mr. Brinker himself. The Tax Boat, dodging two hurricanes, sails to New England. The Society provides its Members with a free Client Tax Newsletter, intended to be an annual event.
2004 It’s a year of membership records for the Society. Approximately 400 Enrolled Agents join the Society, the best one-year total since the mid-1980s. Membership now stands at more than 4,100 Members, Associates, and Affiliates. At the Annual Meeting in Garden Grove, membership approves a new Professional Associate category to allow tax professionals who are not governed by Circular 230 to join the Society. CSEA’s new TV ad premieres on the colossal 300 sq. ft. screen at the L.A. Marathon, and over the four-day event is seen by 1.2 million visitors. Nearly 250 tax professionals attend the first Super Seminar in Hawaii, and the Tax Boat is scheduled to sail for Alaska. CSEA signs a formal agreement making the Japan Society of Enrolled Agents an Affiliate Chapter. Outgoing President Lonnie Gary, EA, creates a Major Media Marketing Fund with the approval of the Board; the MMM Fund will be used to fulfill his presidential charge to “think LARGE” when planning public information and awareness campaigns.
2005 FTB Tax Amnesty affects thousands of Californians. Tax Boat sails to Alaska. The Solano-Napa Chapter is approved and begins operation. New awards are created for Student Associates and Professional Associates categories. First Internet auction nets about $5,000 for Scholarship Fund. Jim Stern Legislative Day in January is a tremendous success, as CSEA Legislative information is distributed to every state legislator. CSEA attends a Federal Conformity meeting held by the staff of the Assembly and Senate Revenue and Taxation Committees. Ten CSEA Past Presidents gather at the Annual Meeting in Reno; the theme of the Annual Meeting is “The GrEAt Gold Rush” hosted by the Golden Gate Chapter. Society approves a Marketing Plan to define, create, and maintain future Public Information & Awareness campaigns. CSEA’s Disaster Services Program is busy throughout the year, and Disaster Workshops are hosted in Marysville for 1986 Yuba County flood victims who received their settlement checks following a lengthy lawsuit. Members of the Japan Chapter visit CSEA and a number of Member offices. Society kicks off new at-home CPE program, “Audio Tax”.
2006 The Society celebrates its 30th anniversary with commemorative pins for the membership. The 30th Annual Meeting is hosted by the Big Valley Chapter and held in Reno, Nevada. CSEA Members reach out to students via extensive training for the VITA program. An Honorary Membership category is approved by membership; longtime CSEA Executive Vice President Bill Sprague, CAE is the first to be so honored. Additional tax workshops are held for Yuba County flood victims, and CSEA volunteers are recognized for their efforts by Congressman Wally Herger. The Society keeps its Members advised about the new changes to enrollment and the SEE procedures.
2007 California passes new Domestic Partner tax regulations. CSEA's 31st Annual Meeting, hosted by the Channel Islands Chapter, is held in Ventura Beach. The Society approves a Practice Preservation Plan to assist Members in the case of disability or death. California Enrolled Agent magazine goes color, and adds new regular features devoted to ethics. Super Seminar celebrates its 25th anniversary with events in Las Vegas and Reno. Jim Stern Legislative Day is held in Sacramento, and Member volunteers spread the EA word to California representatives. The Society's monthly electronic newsletter is revamped and CSEA BEAcon is born. As wildfires devastate areas of Southern California, CSEA volunteers again make themselves available to serve. The CSEA Tax Boat sails to Turkey and Greece.