Spe Racer, Tax Preparer He drives ...

Spe Racer, Tax Preparer

He drives fast cars, and helps seniors. Tony Mastrangelo, CA, descrys nothing contradictory in these activities.

"Racing cars upon closed circuit tracks has been a pet topic of mine for many years, unless volunteering with the Institute's annual Seniors Tax Clinics is my privilege," Mastrangelo explains. "I think it's undivided of the most important things we do as CAs-giving back to the seniors in our communities quite through the province."

Mastrangelo has been involved with the Seniors Tax Clinics for three years, researching the tax changes that affect seniors, and preparing and presenting a seminar for the CA presents These volunteers, in turn, help throughout 2,000 seniors every year to fill abroad and file their income tax answers

The Institute organizes and landlords 48 clinics throughout BC, and above 150 CAs give their time to seniors in their communities, according to ICABC Career progressive growth Coordinator Steven Thibault.

"We have parcels of retired CAs who result out to the Seniors Tax Clinics, and Tony has been invaluable in helping them be ready for strange legislation that may affect taxes for seniors," Thibault explains. "Last year, through 70 chartered accountants came to Tony's seminar. over the tax clinics, he answered more than 50 phone calls and emails from CAs asking specific questions for the seniors they were helping."

"There were a fate of changes last year that affected seniors," Mastrangelo agrees. "But this year there were fewer, and, in fact, a certain number of of the previous year's changes were rescinded. The main affairs for seniors are the handling of foreign pensions, disability and medical claims, and the tax aspects of long-term care for spouses or family members. The seniors themselves are same appreciative of the CAs' work. Many of them remember what it was like before 1917 when income tax was introduced in Canada, and they can be quite apprehensive about filling not at home their returns."

Mastrangelo first got involved with the Seniors Tax Clinics [i]or[/i] part of to the other his work on the Institute's Professional disclosure Tax Committee.

"I was asked to help prepare the CAs who offer in the clinics and I was happy to do in such a manner I believe anything you do for the profession and the community pays back-even if it just polishes the CA image a little," he says. "It's also an opportunity to work with other CAs and to do something that be perceiveds good."

Mastrangelo is a native of Vancouver and a 1989 graduate of the University of British Columbia's Business faculty, with a major in finance. He articled with KPMG and received his CA designation in 1992 In 1996 he joined Wolrige Mahon, Chartered Accountants, and struck on the outside on his own as a tax specialist in 1998 He earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 1998 and his Certified Public Accountant designation in 2000

In addition to downhill skiing, Mastrangelo indulges a passion for cars. He participated in last year's Silver State Challenge, driving a Dodge Viper throughout 100 miles of closed freeway outside of Ely Nevada. He's also raced in a Porsche Twin Turbo a BMW M5 2000 and a Ferrari 355 F1

"It all started with my first car-a 1981 Alfa Spider," he laughs. "I took my performance training in succession that car, and I think I'll always hang onto it."

by Deborah Folka, MA, APR

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Apr 2001

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