UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Tax experts, accountants and financial planners in the Butler area can get strategies for coping with the changing tax landscape at the 2003 Penn State Tax Institute, set for Nov. 17-18 at the Four Points Sheraton in Mars.

The tax institutes are two-day continuing education courses for certified public accountants, tax return preparers and other professionals that feature explanations of the latest tax law changes from the top accounting, tax and legal talent in Pennsylvania, according to Tony Gentile, coordinator of the program.

"The two-day format gives tax professionals intense instruction that will answer most of their questions and help them in the coming tax season," Gentile says. "We give them one-on-one access to people who are leaders in the profession and representatives of some highly respected legal firms. We'll also have IRS personnel there to answer questions about the latest changes in IRS practices and procedures."

Gentile says the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, major provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Job Creation and Workers Assistance Act of 2002 are significant laws that impact 2003 income tax return preparation.

"This year's tax program helps you prepare for the tax season with an analysis of court cases and IRS rulings that will affect 2003 tax returns," Gentile says. Topic areas include "Individual Taxpayer Issues," "Small Business Issues," "Military Personnel," "Tax Issues for Churches" and "IRS Issues." Penn State's ability to attract instructors from the top accounting and legal firms in the state sets the institutes apart from other tax-preparer courses, Gentile says. "We place a strong emphasis on our instructors' academic credentials and their impact on the profession at a state and national level. Also, our instructors are located in the areas that their practices serve, so they have an identity with and know that local community," he adds.

Instructors for the Butler/Mars sessions of the institute include:

-- Karen Benson, a graduate of Grove City College, who specializes in pension and welfare benefit plans, personal financial planning, small business and individual tax planning, and estate and succession planning.

-- Kimberly Trimpey, a graduate of Slippery Rock University and Grove City College, who specializes in small-business tax issues and multi-state tax coordination.

-- Robert McMunigle, a graduate of Grove City College, who specializes in business valuation, personal financial planning and litigation services.

-- Robert Power, Jr., a graduate of Westminster College, who specializes in business planning and valuation, cash flow, management consulting and tax services. Institute attendees receive eight hours of continuing education credit for each day attended. The registration fee of $245 includes a copy of the 2003 Income Tax Guide and the Master Tax Guide. Participants can register by calling 814-865-8301 or by visiting the Web at http://agtax.aers.psu.edu. For more information, contact Anthony Gentile at 814-863-6708 or by e-mail at TonyG@psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Anthony Gentile at 814-863-6708 or by e-mail at TonyG@psu.edu.

Contact:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-863-9877 fax #269