Maine Revenue Services announces New Senior Tax Policy Analyst

Maine Revenue Services is pleased to announce that Scott Schul has joined Maine Revenue Services as a Senior Tax Policy Analyst in the Legal Division.

Prior to joining Maine Revenue Services, Scott practiced law for 14 years with the law firms of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer and Nelson in Portland, Maine and Powell, Goldstein, Frazer and Murphy in Atlanta, Georgia, with his practice concentrated in the areas of state and federal taxation, employee benefits and executive compensation. Scott earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Juris Doctorate from the West Virginia University College of Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from the Boston University School of Law.

2005 Tax Law Changes

A list of 2005 Maine tax law changes is now available on Maine Revenue Services' Web site at www.maine.gov/revenue/. Please note that changes affecting property tax law are not included; a summary of these changes will be available soon. View this link to see the latest changes, including Sales Tax and Income/Estate Tax legislation.

Rulemaking Activity

MRS has formally proposed the repeal of Rule 704, "Cigarette Distributors Located Out of State." This rule pertains to requirements formerly imposed upon cigarette distributors located outside of the State of Maine. The rule is no longer relevant since the law has provided for some time that all cigarette distributors doing business in this State are treated equally, regardless of where they are incorporated or headquartered. Comments are due by October 28 and may be directed to Maine Revenue's Legal Division. Watch for further notices of this type as we proceed with updating Maine's tax rules.

2005 Maine Tax Forum

Maine Revenue Services is pleased to announce that the 9th Annual Maine Tax Forum is scheduled for November 2 and 3, 2005 at the Augusta Civic Center. The Tax Forum is hosted by Maine Revenue Services, the Internal Revenue Service and Thomas College.

Nina E. Olson, The National Taxpayer Advocate, will be the featured Keynote Speaker on November 3, 2005.

The Tax Forum provides 14.25 hours (including 1.25 hours of ethics) of CLE credits. A total of 17 hours (including 1.5 hours of ethics) of CPE credits is also available to CPAs, EAs and accountants.

Seating for the Maine Tax Forum is limited, so register now with downloadable registration forms available on Maine Revenue Services' web site at www.maine.gov/revenue/incomeestate/.

2005 Employment Tax Seminar

The 2nd Annual Employment Tax Seminar, hosted by Maine Revenue Services is scheduled for November 30, 2005 at the Augusta Civic Center. This one day seminar is designed for payroll professionals, human resource personnel, CPA's, accountants, controllers, business and office managers, CFO's, finance directors and bookkeepers. The Seminar provides 9 hours of CPE credits.

Seating for the Employment Tax Seminar is limited, so register now with downloadable registration forms available on Maine Revenue Services' web site at www.maine.gov/revenue/incomeestate/.

Maine Sales and Use Tax Symposiums

Visit Maine Revenue Services’ web site at www.state.me.us/revenue/salesuse/Symreg2005.htm for a listing of 2005 Maine Sales and Use Tax Symposiums.