The 2011 Florida Legislature and the Governor have approved a “sales tax holiday” which provides a 3-day sales tax exemption on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $75 or less, or on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less. This three-day tax exemption is in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2011, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2011. A list of taxable and tax-exempt items is attached.

We were recently notified and would like to inform you of scam email that individuals and companies are receiving that have the appearance of being sent from the IRS. Please remember that the IRS never uses email to contact taxpayers about their tax issues. These emails vary in content and appear to be transmitted from an email address associated with the IRS domain (@irs.gov).

Some emails bear the name of fictitious IRS employees and/or departments and/or links to websites that host malicious code and software. Do not open these attachments or follow the web links in any unsolicited emails from unknown parties or from parties with whom you do not normally communicate, or that appear to be known but are suspicious or otherwise unusual.

If a malicious code is detected or suspected on a computer, consult with a computer security or anti-virus specialist to remove malicious code. Always use anti-virus software and ensure that the virus signatures are automatically updated.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact our office at (239) 433-5554.  Our team of professionals welcomes the opportunity to discuss your specific situation further. You may also visit us on the web at www.markham-norton.com.

Firm Partner, Karen Mosteller will lead a presentation titled “How to Protect Your Company From Employee Fraud” at a breakfast program on June 21st at Lykes Insurance in Fort Myers.

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. announces that firm partner, Karen Mosteller has been reappointed to serve on the Accounting Careers steering committee with the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). Mosteller is the consulting and technology partner with Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company. She is a certified public accountant and a certified healthcare business consultant. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida, Fort Myers. Mosteller specializes in business consulting and tax services for medical practices, construction and service companies to improve their processes, tighten their bottom line and improve profitability

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company P.A. is a certified public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Fort Myers and Naples.  They offer a wide range of services including business consulting, technology consulting, tax preparation and planning, litigation, mediation, forensic accounting and elder services. For more information about the firm, call 239-433-5554 or visit www.markham-norton.com.

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. announces that firm partner, Gail Markham has been reappointed to serve on two committees with the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). Markham will continue to serve on the Valuation, Forensic Accounting & Litigation Services Section steering committee and the conference committee. Markham is the founding partner of Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. and is the head of the Litigation, Forensic Accounting and Mediation Services team.

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company P.A. is a certified public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Fort Myers and Naples.  They offer a wide range of services including business consulting, technology consulting, tax preparation and planning, litigation, mediation, forensic accounting and elder services.

For more information about the firm, call 239-433-5554 or visit www.markham-norton.com.

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Due to Florida budgetary shortfalls, the Florida Department of Revenue has significantly boosted its level of sales and use tax audits to assess businesses that may be inaccurately collecting, failing to collect sales tax or paying the appropriate use tax. We have seen this increased audit activity right here in Southwest Florida.

The guidelines below will help you determine if you are required to collect sales tax or pay use tax.  If you would like us to perform an analysis and review of your current sales and use tax procedures or assist with implementing the appropriate compliance methods, please contact our office at (239) 433-5554. Our team of professionals welcomes the opportunity to discuss your specific situation further.    You may also visit our website at www.markham-norton.com