In 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) radically changed its approach to how it treats community property of California state-registered domestic partners (RDPs), which also affects same-sex married couples (SSMs).  This workshop is a review of those changes from 2010, as well an update on how both tax preparation and estate planning has evolved over the past year in light of the changes.  

As we move into the “tax season” for tax year 2011, this seminar will cover two major components of the 2010 IRS changes for RDPs and SSMs:  (1)  impacts on federal income tax preparation, and (2) impacts on estate planning, including revocable trust planning and avoiding the pitfalls of gift and estate tax rules.

Presented by Alma Soongi Beck, Esq of The Beck Law Group, P.C
and Chris Kollaja, CPA, of A.L. Nella & Co
Co-Sponsored by Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA)

Due to the high demand and limited space in this workshop, pre-registration is required.  Please RSVP as soon as possible.

San Francisco Workshop

East Bay Workshop

Alma Soongi Beck, Esq.

Chris Kollaja, CPA

San Francisco Workshop

LOCATION:  San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco  
DATE:  Thursday, February 24, 2011, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

East Bay Workshop

LOCATION:  Bananas Child Care Resource (entrance in rear), 5232 Claremont Avenue, Oakland 
DATE:  Friday, February 25, 2011, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

DESCRIPTION: In May 2010, the IRS announced major changes to how it now treats the community property of California state-registered domestic partners (RDPs), which most likely affects same-sex married couples as well. The changes will have a major effect on your federal income taxes, as well
as your estate planning. This workshop will help you make sense of the changes, including retroactively in some cases.

Find out what the change could mean for you and your family, get your questions answered.

Childcare available with registration.

Please reserve your space online at:
San Francisco Workshop: http://sflgbttaxworkshop.eventbrite.com/
East Bay Workshop: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1230673979
For more information about Our Family Coalition please visit: http://www.ourfamily.org
For more information about A.L. Nella & Co. please visit: http://www.alnella.com

Hosted by Jennifer Fisher, Vice President, Investment Consultant, and Jeffrey L. Breininger, 2nd Vice President, Private Client Services, of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Guest Speakers:

Alma Soongi Beck, Esq. from The Beck Law Group, P.C.
and Mario Kashou. Esq. from the Farallon Law Group, LLP:

Alma Soongi Beck, Esq.

Mario Kashou, Esq.

LOCATION:  San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California Hispanic Room B

DATE:  Tuesday, October 19, 2010, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

DESCRIPTION: Couples living as domestic partners face challenges that require a unique understanding of these relationships, backed by the right experience and resources. Financial Advisors can provide helpful guidance, a proven approach to wealth planning, and a range of techniques and solutions designed to help you and your partner grow and protect your wealth—over your lifetimes and beyond. The seminar will examine these and other important topics:

• Challenges facing domestic partners
  
• The importance of wealth planning
  
• Basic and advanced planning techniques
  
• Gifting techniques

RSVPs strongly recommended. Please email or call Morgan Stanley Smith Barney representative Judy Kalama at judy.kalama@mssb.com or 925-730-3864 to make your reservation.

Please click here to view the flyer for this seminar.

(View flyer here)

LOCATION:  One Hawthorne Sales & Design Center, 645 Howard Street (at Hawthorne), San Francisco, CA 94105

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
 
DESCRIPTION:  Join us for a free seminar on key issues facing gay and lesbian home buyers.  Topics include:

• New tax laws for domestic partners and unmarried co-owners
• Navigating property ownership
• Benefits for domestic partners to purchase a home
• Home buying opportunities in today’s market.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:  Alma Soongi Beck, Esq., as well as representatives from First Republic Bank and MetLife Home Loans

RSVPs strongly encouraged.  To RSVP, please call (415) 227-0888, or email ewilliams@onehawthorne.com.

Feel free to forward to others who you think might be interested in attending.

Please click here to view the flyer for this seminar.

(View flyer here)

CO-PRESENTERS:  Alma Soongi Beck, Esq. and Bruce Stuart, CFP, Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA) of Wells Fargo Advisors
 
LOCATION:  2223 Market Street Restaurant, 2223 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 22, from 6 – 9 p.m.
 
DESCRIPTION:  Join us for a complimentary seminar that can help you understand and anticipate potential financial obstacles and opportunities.  Whether you’re single or in a committed relationship, you owe it to yourself and the ones you love to learn more about strategies that can help you achieve your financial goals.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:  Chris Castro, Regional VP, Jackson National Life, will briefly discuss Retirement Planning; Carolyn Lis, Senior VP, Dreyfus Investments, will briefly discuss General Market Conditions
 
RSVPs required.  To RSVP, please contact Renea Thomas, of Wells Fargo Advisors, (415) 291-1221.

Feel free to forward to others who you think might be interested in attending.

Please click here to view the flyer for this seminar.

The laws affecting LGBTQ people and their families have changed considerably over the last several years. It is very important for people and their families to know their legal rights and to take steps to make sure that their rights are protected. This presentation will cover domestic partnerships, marriage, protecting parental rights, capital gains and property taxes, and estate planning.

Registration: Click Here

When: Nov 4, 2009, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: SF LGBT Community Center
1800 Market Street
San Francisco

See Map: Google Maps

Presented by Alma Soongi Beck, Esq.

LGBTQ families have been hit with dramatic changes and uncertainty about our rights. This seminar will deal specifically with the property and estate planning issues faced by LGBTQ couples and families of all ages and income levels. We will discuss the basics of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and what issues might need to be revisited for those of us who may already have documents.

To register for this event, click here.

When: Feb 26, 2009, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: The SF LGBT Community Center 1800 Market Street at Octavia Boulevard San Francisco

RSVP to econdev@sfcenter.org
Admission is free but space is limited.
Lunch will be provided.

LGBT Economic Empowerment Day is a full-day event consisting of expert panelists, diverse financial workshops, and a trade show. The event will bring together community members of all ages, in differing financial stages in their lives, to promote financial literacy, growth, and self-sufficiency.

• "First Act," featuring Bank, on San Francisco, Saundra Davis, and Doug Rice, will address the financial needs of low income and young community members.
• "Second Act," featuring a program on Family Economics and a discussion about where the economy is headed, will provide sessions geared toward professionals who need to develop strategies to secure their assets.
• "Encore," featuring openhouse, will address housing and financial planning issues and the concerns of seniors and soon-to-be retirees.

This year’s keynote speakers include:

• Reverend Cecil Williams, Pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church
• Saundra Davis, Sage Financial Solutions
• Panel of LGBT community members who will share their success stories and offer insights of how to financially succeed in these difficult times discuss their successes despite the turbulent economy.

Free Childcare is Available! RSVP to 415.865.5639 or KidSpace@sfcenter.org

Free book to the first 150 people to arrive: You’re Nothing but a Number – Why achieving great credit scores should be on your list of wealth building strategies, by John R. Ulzheimer

Thanks to the many organizations cosponsoring this event, including: Office of the Treasurer, Bank on San Francisco, Wells Fargo, MJM Management Group, Bank of America, Spectrum Federal Credit Union, openhouse, Positive Resource Center, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco, GGBA, Jewish Vocational Service, and the Willows Inn.

Now, more than ever, people need answers and strategies to address their financial concerns including living on a budget, reducing debt, rebuilding after a crisis, home ownership, senior housing, and planning for retirement. Don’t miss out on this important day!

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center is located at 1800 Market Street (@ Octavia). Call 415-865-5515 if you have any questions.

Thursday, July 24, 2008, 12:00 – 1:30pm *NEW* Location: Omni Hotel 500 California Street, Union Square Room San Francisco, CA

If you are interested in attending this seminar, or want to pass along this information to someone you know who would be, click here to see the flyer for details. Space is limited. RSVP is required. RSVP by July 18 to Horizons Foundation at (415) 398-2333 x115, or email events@horizonfoundation.org