Most of you who visit our blog are looking for insightful articles on State Tax matters. And I hope you agree that we generally deliver in that regard. But today, as this Thanksgiving week begins, I’m taking a moment to reflect on the many things I’m thankful for in my life and I wanted to share them in this space. We can probably agree that there’s currently not enough gratitude and true thankfulness in the world, and I think we need to get back to some of the basics – saying please and thank you (and meaning it), opening doors for each other (actual doors as well as those related to opportunities for others), treasuring our families (even when they don’t agree with our every belief), and opening our hearts and homes to those who are less fortunate – including our four legged friends!
Thank you Family! This year, once we arrive at our Thanksgiving destination, will mark the first time in a long time that we’ve had the opportunity to see everyone in our family at some point during the year. For those of you who have family close by all the time, that’s no big deal. But, between my husband and me, and our relatively small family, we are strewn from California, to three major metropolitan areas in Texas (that require separate trips), South Carolina and Georgia. We have family in every US time zone. We travel a lot to get to see everyone! Southwest Airlines keeps me in the air. This year, between family, conferences, other work and vacations we visited Orlando, El Paso, Washington DC, Phoenix, Pasadena, Las Vegas, Dallas, Kiawah Island (South Carolina), Kansas City, and Atlanta…oh and Paris!
Thank you clients and professional colleagues! This has been a crazy year on the work front. With the anticipation of and final ruling on the US Supreme Court case in South Dakota v. Wayfair (June 2018), we have been very busy answering hundreds (thousands?) of questions about how this impacts not only current clients but many, many prospective clients. The case changed the way we have to think about taxable presence (nexus) in states – and how those changes almost immediately changed the entire reporting landscape. It has also brought us more merger and acquisition clients (as companies pay more attention to potential retroactive liabilities) and audit defense (as states become emboldened and more aggressive during controversy). We’re also very appreciative of the many CPA firms and CFOs who are referral partners for us. While internet search has also become a path for people to find us and engage with us, the personal touch of a referral is still an honor and generates wonderful clients. And A HUGE thank you to Jeff – who helps keep my office running, while I’m running!
Thank you friends and networking sisters and brothers. Since I was in college (heck maybe even before then), I joined networking groups and got out there to meet people. I’ve made some of the greatest friendships and lasting relationships from my participation in AFWA, NAWBO, and now ProVisors, and many in between. You are part of my professional and personal life and I appreciate you!
Thank you to everyone who contributed this year to my Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising effort again this year. In marking the 20 year milestone of my participation in the Bay Area events this year, you helped me raise more than $15,000 this year – over $225,000 lifetime. I continue to be inspired by the many survivors out there. I’m late in getting all my individual thank you notes out, but know that I appreciate every single donation. We will find a cure!
I know that this year has also brought its share of heartache. We’ve lost friends, family and loved ones in 2018. And that makes whatever happiness we feel seem bittersweet. But our lives are richer for having had those people in our world and they would want us to continue to thrive. Thank you for the love, laughter and great times you gave us for so long. We miss you!
As I reflect on my year, I also genuinely hope that each of you has a lot to be thankful for and that you’ll take a moment to stop, breathe and enjoy the moment over this holiday season. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!
