ASPPA Spring National 2024: We Have an Emergency!
2024-05-15 14:50 - 15:40 (America/New_York)
Christopher Ciminera, CPA, QKA will be moderating at ASPPA Spring National.
May 15, 2024
2:50 – 3:40 PM: Workshop 5: We Have an Emergency! Case Studies on Emergency Distributions
Congress understands that emergency savings are not sufficient for many individuals. As such, Congress, through the SECURE 2.0 Act, has enacted additional options to make it easier for participants to receive money from their retirement accounts in the event of emergency. These options are in addition to the already allowable participant loan and hardship withdrawal provisions. With this influx of rules all at once, it’s hard not to confuse all of the new legislative provisions. This session will clarify all the options.
This session will discuss:
• Loans
• Hardship Withdrawals
• Emergency – Section 115 of the SECURE 2.0 Act
• Emergency Savings (PLESA) – Section 127 of the SECURE 2.0 Act
• Qualified Disaster Distributions – Section 331 of the SECURE 2.0 Act
• Terminal Illness Distributions – Section 326 of the SECURE 2.0 Act
After this session, participants will be able to:
• Identify all of the newly allowed emergency distribution options enacted by the SECURE 2.0 Act.
• Understand the emergency distribution options in detail.
• Help clients administer the provisions and to avoid errors.
ASPPA Spring National
May 15 – 16
Virtual
ASPPA Spring National — is a virtual experience, offering opportunities for attendees to make connections that will fuel you and your team well after the event.
Find out more here: ASPPA Spring National 2024

Better Business Bureau 59th Annual Celebration
2024-05-15 17:00 - 18:30 | DuPont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, United States
BLS CPAs is proud to be a President’s Sponsor for the Better Business Bureau of Delaware’s 59th Annual Awards Celebration!
On May 15, 2024 BBB Delaware will honor companies with their business ethics awards (Torch, Rush and Thrive). In addition to the prestigious business awards, BBB will shine a spotlight on two students with the Student Ethics Scholarship presentation.
This is great networking event and opportunity to celebrate the mission of BBB.
Additional details can be found on the BBB of Delaware’s website.

ASPPA Spring National 2024: Eligibility: Back to the Basics
2024-05-16 12:30 - 13:20
Christopher Ciminera, CPA, QKA will be moderating at ASPPA Spring National.
May 16, 2024
12:30 – 1:20 PM: Workshop 7: Eligibility: Back to the Basics
If you are new to the industry, or just want a nice refresher, this session will dive into plan eligibility! We will cover eligibility options for plan design and review how to figure eligibility with each option including elapsed time, hourly, special exclusions, and break in service rules. Have your thinking caps on as we will be going through real life examples.
ASPPA Spring National
May 15 – 16
Virtual
ASPPA Spring National — is a virtual experience, offering opportunities for attendees to make connections that will fuel you and your team well after the event.
Find out more here: ASPPA Spring National 2024

ASPPA Spring National 2024: Updates on Forms 5500, 5558, and 8868
2024-05-16 13:30 - 14:20
Christopher Ciminera, CPA, QKA will be moderating at ASPPA Spring National.
May 16, 2024
1:30 – 2:20 PM: Workshop 10: Updates on Forms 5500, 5558, and 8868
The 2023 Forms 5500 and 5500-SF – Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan have a number of changes from previous filings. This session will discuss the recent changes, updates to Form 5558 – Application for Extension of Time to File Certain Employee Plan Returns, and the new Form 8868 – Application for Extension of Time to File an Exempt Organization Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans.
This session will discuss:
• The new Schedule DCG for Defined Contribution Group (DCG) reporting options
• The new Schedule MEP for Multiple-Employer Plans
• The new participant counting methodology for determining type of filer.
• The new administrative expenses transparency changes.
• The new compliance questions added to Schedule R.
ASPPA Spring National
May 15 – 16
Virtual
ASPPA Spring National — is a virtual experience, offering opportunities for attendees to make connections that will fuel you and your team well after the event.
Find out more here: ASPPA Spring National 2024

Stroud Water Research Center Fore Fresh Water Golf Invitational
2024-05-20 11:30 - 19:30 | Bidermann Golf Course, 601 Adam's Dam Road, Wilmington, DE, United States
BLS is proud to be a Hole Sponsor of the 2024 Stroud Water Research Center’s Fore Fresh Water Golf Invitational!
Golf sponsorship and participation helps support Stroud Water Research Center’s freshwater research, environmental education, and watershed restoration efforts.
Tee Off “Fore” Fresh Water
Date: May 20, 2024
11:30 a.m. shotgun start; 4:30 p.m. cocktail reception.
Location: Bidermann Golf Course
Find out more here: https://stroudcenter.org/event/golf-outing/

AICPA Engage 2024 Conference: Reading Trust and Will Documents
2024-06-05 14:05 - 15:20 | ARIA Resort & Casino
Karly Laughlin, CPA, AEP will be co-presenting at the AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE24 Conference!
AICPA & CIMA Engage 2024: Reading Trust and Will Documents

June 5, 2024

11:05 AM — 12:20 PM PDT
2:05 PM — 3:20 PM EDT
ENG2429. Reading Trust and Will Documents (TAX, EST)

In this fast-paced, interactive session, we’ll examine key language in a Will and trust agreement to break down the most important provisions in plain English. We’ll also explain how an when a revocable trust becomes irrevocable and the tax implications. Last, we’ll explain the timing and tax considerations when a credit shelter trust, marital trust, or trust for another beneficiary is created after the death of the trustor.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the interplay between a pour over will and a revocable trust.
Appreciate the significance of formula provisions in a trust agreement and how they work.
Analyze typical language in a trust agreement pertaining to distributions of income and principal and connect this language with preparation of the fiduciary income tax return.

Session Information: https://agenda.aicpastore.com/sessions/eng2429

AICPA Engage 2024 Conference: Estate Planning for the 99%
2024-06-05 17:30 - 18:45 | ARIA Resort & Casino
Karly Laughlin, CPA, AEP will be co-presenting with Jordon Rosen at the AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE24 Conference!
AICPA & CIMA Engage 2024: Estate Planning for the 99%

June 5, 2024

2:30 PM — 3:45 PM PDT
5:30 PM — 6:45 PM EDT
ENG2436. Estate Planning for the 99% (TAX, EST)

This session will focus on planning for owners of estates under $13 million and why it is still important to plan. We will cover planning techniques, how and when to elect portability, filing the decedent’s final tax return and the estate’s fiduciary return, along with various post-mortem elections. We will also cover planning when the decedent is a shareholder in an S corp. or partner in a partnership at the time of death.
Learning Objectives:

Why estate planning is still important for our clients with less than $13 million
How and when to make the portability election as opposed to conventional credit shelter planning
Understanding the numerous post-mortem fiduciary, administrative and tax elections available for the modest estate owner when filing for portability along with the decedent’s final income tax return and the estate’s income tax return.

Session Information: https://agenda.aicpastore.com/sessions/eng2436

AICPA Engage 2024 Conference: It's All Foreign to Me - International Tax Reporting and Disclosures
2024-06-06 12:30 - 13:45 | ARIA Resort & Casino
Stephanie Chapman, CPA will be presenting at the AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE24 Conference!
AICPA & CIMA Engage 2024: It’s All Foreign to Me – International Tax Reporting and Disclosures

June 6, 2024

9:30 AM — 10:45 AM PDT
12:30 PM — 1:45 PM EDT
TAX2417. It’s All Foreign to Me – International Tax Reporting and Disclosures

Back for a second year! International tax reporting is unavoidably now a part of our everyday tax practices. As the compliance requirements continue to become more extensive and complex, practitioners are finding themselves struggling to keep up, uneasy with potentially significant penalties, and unsure how to advise their clients. In this session, I’ll highlight the most common international tax forms, emphasizing those with high noncompliance penalties, and identify common errors on our most-used international reporting forms.
Learning Objectives:

Avoid common errors on frequently-used international tax forms
Identify compliance risks for common international tax forms – FinCEN 114, 8938, 5471, 5472, 8865, 8858, 926, 8621, 1116, 1118, 8992, 8993 and more
Understand when a specialist is needed

Session Information: https://agenda.aicpastore.com/sessions/tax2417

Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community
2024-06-08 07:45 - 11:00 | Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park
BLS CPAs is a Bronze Sponsor for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community event, which benefits the Friendship House!
About the Highmark Walk
Highmark hosts a 5k walk at the Riverfront in Wilmington on June 8th and local non-profits solicit walkers and donations for the event. Highmark covers the cost of the event so FH earns 100% of the proceeds they solicit. Last year, FH raised over $90,000 and had over 600 registered walkers. It’s a great family fun event for the community!
The benefactor of the 2024 Delaware Walk for a Healthy Community event is Friendship House, Inc.

Where:
Tubman – Garrett Riverfront Park
80 Rosa Parks Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801

When:
Saturday, June 8, 2024

Important Times:
7:45 a.m. check-in and registration

9 a.m. 5K Walk

9:15 a.m.- 1 Mile Walk

Find out more details at the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community website.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: International
2024-06-17
Deadline for 2023, individual tax returns for US taxpayers residing abroad and partnerships which keep their books and records outside the United States (automatic 2-month extension from April 15). An automatic extension to December 15, 2024, using Form 4868 is available as long as individuals did not receive US wages. This is NOT an extension to pay.
For additional information on these deadlines or our international services, please click here to contact us.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Individuals and Corporations
2024-06-17
INDIVIDUALS: Make a payment of your 2024 estimated tax if you’re not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or won’t pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the second installment date for estimated tax in 2023. For more information, see Pub. 505.
CORPORATIONS: For calendar year corporations, deposit the second installment of estimated income tax for 2024. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.
For additional information on these deadlines or our tax services, please click here to contact us.

Siegel JCC Delaware Annual Sports Classic (BLS is a Birdie Sponsor)
2024-06-24 | Wilmington Country Club, 4825 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE, 19807, United States
BLS CPAs is proud to be a Birdie Sponsor again this year for the 32nd Annual Siegel JCC Delaware Sports Classic.
SIEGEL JCC ANNUAL SPORTS CLASSIC
Date:
June 24, 2024

Location:
Wilmington Country Club

4825 Kennett Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807

Additional details can be found on the Siegel JCC Delaware webpage.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Employee Benefit Plans
2024-06-30
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:
Corrective distribution for failed ADP/ACP without 10% excise tax (EACA only)
For additional information on these deadlines or our employee benefit plan audit services, please click here to contact us.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Employers with Employee Benefit Plans
2024-07-29
ALL EMPLOYERS WITH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:
BENEFIT PLAN DEADLINE (12/31 year end):
Form 5500 and related schedules, as applicable (A, C, D, E, H, I, R), with opinion of qualified public accountant, 5500-EZ or Form 5500-SF, if not extending
Form 8955-SSA – Annual registration statement identifying separated participants with deferred vested benefits, if not extending
Form 5558 – Request for extension of time to file Form 5500 annual report and Form 8955-SSA
Form 5330 – Return of excise taxes related to Employee Benefit Plans – used to report and pay excise taxes on prohibited transactions and excess 401(k) Plan contributors that occurred in 2024.
For additional information on these deadlines or our employee benefit plan audit services, please click here to contact us.

2024 Externship Program
2024-08-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Are you looking to gain first-hand knowledge of what a career could look like in a mid-sized, regional public accounting firm but are too early in your college career for an internship or in high school? Our half-day virtual Externship/Shadowing Experience, which occurs in August, is for you! During this program, you will have the chance to interact with our current Summer Interns, Staff Accountants, all the way up through Shareholders, to better understand how public accounting firms help their clients succeed. Best of all, our Externs get to add this experience on their resume AND are automatically invited to interview for the Summer Internship Program, when eligible.
Our 2024 Summer Externship is scheduled to take place on August 1, 2024 from 9am-1pm ET.
What to Expect

Duration – Half day, virtual experience (due to the number of attendees, our Externship is virtual)
Welcome from BLS Shareholder
Virtual Office Tour
Panel Discussion with Auditing/Tax & Small Business/Corporate & International Services Members
Panel Discussion with Current Interns
Overview our College Recruiter about Our Recruiting Process and What We Look for in BLS Team Members
Who is Eligible?

High School Students
College Students
Experienced Professionals Considering a Career Change

APPLY NOW!

The Minerva Marrero Hispanic Scholarship Program
2024-08-03 12:00 - 14:00 | The Great Hall at St. Andrews, 245 N Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware, 19901
BLS CPAs is honored to be a Bronze Sponsor of the 2024 Minerva Marrero Hispanic Scholarship Program!
The Latin American Community Center’s Minerva Marrero Hispanic Scholarship Program provides monetary scholarships for Hispanic Seniors in the State of Delaware to support their post-secondary education. The goal of the program is to open doors for Hispanic students to pursue greater opportunities, inspire pride in our people and heritage, motivate students to work hard, and encourage families to support them. The program was named after Minerva Marrero, one of the founders of the previous Hispanic Student Recognition Program. program. It is an honor to name this program after Minerva so that her legacy of advocating for the success of Hispanic students continues each and every day.
To learn more, please visit Minerva Marrero Hispanic Scholarship Program | LACC (thelatincenter.org)

ShureLine's 9th Annual Drive Fore a Cause
2024-08-06 10:30 - 18:00 | Wild Quail Golf and Country Club, 1 Clubhouse Drive, Wyoming, DE, United States
BLS is a Tee Sponsor of Shureline’s 9th Annual Drive Fore a Cause benefiting the Middletown YMCA!
ShureLine’s 9th Annual Drive Fore a Cause Golf Tournament
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Registration: 10:30am
Shotgun Start: Noon
Wild Quail Golf & Country Club

West Chester University - 2024 Meet the Firms
2024-09-05 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for West Chester University’s 2024 “Meet the Firms” event. Connect with us to learn about our 2025 Summer Internship Program.
Additional details can be found at https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/STU.CAR/careerFair.aspx.
Thursday, September 5
5:00pm-7:00pm
If you would like to reach out to our college recruiter before the event, please contact Jenni Fleck Jones at jjones@belfint.com.
Additional details can be found at WCU’s Career Services Center website.

University of Delaware – 2024 Meet the Firms
2024-09-05 17:00 - 19:30 | UD Trabant Center, 17 W. Main St, Newark, DE, 19711, United States
Please join the University of Delaware for their 2024 “Meet the Firms” event. Connect with us to learn about our 2025 Summer Internship Program. This event is co-sponsored by the Accounting Department, the Association for Information Systems, the Accounting Students Association, and ALPFA.
September 5, 2024
5-7:30pm
Trabant
If you would like to reach out to our college recruiter before the event, please contact Jenni Fleck Jones at jjones@belfint.com.

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County: Golf Outing
2024-09-12 12:30 - 18:00 | Hartefeld National, PA, 19311, United States
BLS CPAs is proud to be a Tee Sponsor for Habitat’s Annual Golf Outing.
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County – Annual Golf Outing
September 12, 2024
Hartefeld National
Find out additional details at Habitat’s Golf Webpage!

Rowan University - 2024 Accounting, Finance, and MIS Expo
2024-09-19 11:00 - 15:00 | Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, United States
Join us for Rowan University’s 2024 Accounting, Finance, and MIS Expo event. If you are an accounting major looking for a great place to start your career or intern, connect with us to learn about our 2025 Summer Internship Program.
Rowan Accounting & Finance Expo
Thursday, September 19, 2024, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Check out additional information HERE.

Christ Church Christiana Hundred Golf Classic
2024-09-19 11:30 - 19:30 | Hartefeld National, PA, 19311, United States
BLS is a Tee Sponsor for the 2024 Christ Church Christiana Hundred Golf Classic!
September 19, 2024
Hartefeld National
11:30-1:00 – Registration & Lunch
1:00 – Shotgun Start
5:30-7:30 – Cocktail Party
Additional information can be found on Christ Church’s Golf Classic page on their website.

2024 Delaware Business Expo (DSCC & BBB)
2024-09-19 16:00 - 19:00 | Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street , Wilmington, DE, 19801, United States
BLS CPAs is a Bronze Sponsor for the 2024 Delaware Business Expo hosted by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of Delaware!
2024 DELAWARE BUSINESS EXPO

Thursday, September 19, 2024 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Join the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau of Delaware for the largest business-to-business networking event in Delaware! The Delaware Business Expo is a prime opportunity to expand your network, increase your business visibility, and learn from industry experts.

Additional information can be found here: 2024 Delaware Business Expo

Special Olympics Delaware Summer Camp Golf Classic
2024-09-23 11:00 - 20:00 | Bidermann Golf Course, 601 Adam's Dam Road, Wilmington, DE, United States
BLS is happy to sponsor Special Olympics Delaware’s Summer Camp Golf Classic!
Proceeds from this tournament enable children and adults with intellectual disabilities to attend Special Olympics Delaware Summer Camp at no charge to the athletes or their families.
Tournament Schedule
11:00 a.m. – Registration Opens
12:30 p.m. – Shotgun Start (box lunch in cart)
5:30 p.m. – Barbecue Reception & Silent Auction
Be a Player. Be a Sponsor. Be a Fan.

Wilmington University - 2024 Meet the Firms Virtual Event
2024-09-25 17:00 - 19:00
Are you an accounting major at Wilmington University aspiring to be a CPA? Don’t miss “Meet the Firms” and be sure to tune in to learn more about BLS and our college programs. We hope to see you there!
Additional details can be found at Wilmington University’s Career Webpage.

ERISA 50th Celebration - ASPPA Benefits Council of Greater Philadelphia
2024-09-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19130
BLS CPAs is proud to be a sponsor of the ASPPA Benefits Council of Greater Philadelphia’s ERISA 50th Celebration!
Celebrate the Philadelphia Community’s contribution to safeguarding the retirement and health and welfare benefits of American workers.

DATE: September 25, 2024
LOCATION: Barnes Foundation – Philadelphia, PA
FEATURES: Cocktails, Dinner, Tour of Museum

Learn more about the ASPPA Benefit Council of Greater Philadelphia’s ERISA Celebration

BLS Sponsoring Temple Beth El Golf Tournament
2024-09-26 09:30 - 17:00 | Newark Country Club, 300 W. Main Street, Newark, DE, 19715, United States
BLS CPAs is honored to be a Specialty Sponsor for the Temple Beth El Golf Tournament!
Join us at the Temple Beth El Golf Tournament which will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Newark Country Club in Newark, Delaware. Temple Beth El was founded in 1954. The Congregation provides a tremendous amount of outreach to the local community. Temple Beth El provides year round contributions to Hope Dining Hall and the Newark Empowerment Center. Each year, the congregation sponsors over 40 needy families, providing clothing, household goods and toys.
To learn more about Temple Beth El, please visit www.tbede.org/

Dream Keepers Foundation's Black Tie Scholarship Gala
2024-09-28 17:00 - 21:00 | Bally’s Casino & Resort – Dover, DE
BLS CPAs is proud to be a sponsor of the Dream Keepers Foundation’s Black Tie Scholarship Gala!
Join the Dream Keepers Foundation’s Black Tie Scholarship Gala, a black-tie affair to raise scholarship funds for high school Seniors who have enrolled at an accredited institution of higher learning; college students matriculating at four-year institutions; and students attending trade schools or licensed certificate programs.

DATE: Saturday, September 28, 2024
LOCATION: Bally’s Casino & Resort – Dover, DE
FEATURES: Red Carpet Event; Plated Meal; Live Entertainment; Community Awards Ceremony; and Live DJ

Learn more about the Dream Keepers Foundation Inc.

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation Golf Outing
2024-09-30 11:00 - 20:00 | DuPont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, United States
BLS CPAs is proud to be a Tee Sponsor for The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation Golf Outing
The B+ Foundation is about Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer – raising money through events on college campuses, local events like 5Ks and Golf Outing, corporate partnerships, merchandise sales, and more – to provide financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer nationwide and fund critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research.

Rowan University - Phi Chi Theta Small Business Networking Event
2024-10-02 11:00 - 16:00 | Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, United States
Join us for Rowan University Phi Chi Theta’s 2024 Small Business Networking Event. Learn about a career in Public Accounting and our College Programs!
Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Rowan University – Rohrer College of Business, Business Hall, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028
