[Ohio-Talk] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 07/01/2019

Tue Jul 2 09:53:14 UTC 2019

President’s Notebook

National Federation of the Blind

Mark A. Riccobono

 <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org

410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

It's July and Independence Day is coming up—this is the celebration of the independence of our nation. Beginning July 7, we will experience Independence week at the National Federation of the Blind annual convention. I will be in Las Vegas starting on Independence Day, and I anticipate welcoming the rest of you when you arrive.

I have two important notes for you. The first is exclusively announcing to you, before anyone else, the launch of the public beta for the NFB-NEWSLINE mobile application including KNFB Reader Basic. Normally we would hold an announcement like this until the convention, but we wanted you to download the beta while you were in the comfort of your own home, so you could have it ready to go during your time at the convention.

The second is an announcement that I am not happy to share with you. As you will read below, we have had some difficulty in establishing the necessary exempt status needed with the State of Nevada for the convention of the National Federation of the Blind. While our team continues to work with the state to get our application approved, we need to prepare for the worst. As you will find below, every vendor in our exhibit hall is required to collect state sales tax on all tangible products sold. We have requested accessible tax forms from the state, but we have not yet received an answer. As a result, our team is preparing to be in the exhibit hall and ready to assist affiliates with completing the necessary forms at the end of the convention. If you have questions about the impact of this on your exhibit table, I encourage you to call Patti Chang at 410-659-9314, extension 2422. I sincerely apologize for this major inconvenience.

Critical Actions This Week:

Available Now! NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile 3.0 Beta with KNFB Reader Basic

The National Federation of the Blind is excited to announce that the updated NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app beta version is now available to download on your iPhones and iPads. Included in the app is the KNFB Reader Basic which provides the useful core features at no cost. Within the KNFB Reader section, just point and shoot for access to print on-the-go. This beta version is a pre-released, advanced development of the app. Your participation and feedback expand the amount of testing done, which will help us develop a better product. Note: Installing this beta app will overwrite your existing NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app. Enjoy NFB-NEWSLINE <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline>  and KNFB Reader Basic <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/knfb-reader>  together!

How to get the app:

*	First, download the Test Flight app on your device.
*	Then, on your device, select NFB-NEWSLINE 3.0 Beta by going to this link: https://testflight.apple.com/join/zuoVUXFv. You’ll need your NFB-NEWSLINE login credentials.
*	Share your feedback or request assistance by sending an email to nfbnewsline-ios at nfb.org <mailto:nfbnewsline-ios at nfb.org>  or calling 866-504-7300.

We look forward to your participation and feedback. 

Nevada State Sales Tax:
We are continuing to push for Nevada state tax exemption; however, with our convention starting in seven days, we have to be prepared to collect sales tax. The state of Nevada offers a One-Time Event Sales Tax program which is collected through the organizer of the event, the National Federation of the Blind. All vendors, including NFB and NFB affiliates, who are selling tangible products in the exhibit hall are required to collect 8.25 percent sales tax. 

Through this tax program, NFB is responsible for collecting the forms and tax payments at the close of the exhibit hall. Attached are the instructions for collecting sales tax and the return forms. We have asked for this form in an accessible format but haven’t received it.

Things to know when collecting taxes and turning in paperwork at the close of the exhibit hall:

*         Make sure to total the sale and then multiple the total by 8.25 percent to determine the sales tax. It will be easier for everyone if you keep a running list of sales and then tax collected, these two totals are needed for the tax form.

*         If you are accepting credit cards, please make sure to follow-up with your credit card gateway (PayPal, Authorize.net, etc.) to learn how to make sure you process the transaction along with the tax. (We are not familiar with all gateways and have limited knowledge on this process.)

*         NFB accounting staff will be in the exhibit hall at the information table on July 10 from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m. and on July 11 from 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. to answer questions and collect forms and payments.

*         Vendors will complete all three sections of the form and return it to NFB along with your tax payments made payable to the Department of Taxation – please bring checks with you to convention. 

*         Once your information and payment are confirmed, you will receive the vendor copy for your records.

*         NFB will keep the middle copy for our records.

*         NFB will return the top copies along with the payments to the State of Nevada Department of Taxation.

NFB accounting staff will help you navigate this process. You can contact an NFB accounting person by emailing fiscalservices at nfb.org <mailto:fiscalservices at nfb.org>  or calling 443-312-9464 with questions.  

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	July 7-12, 2019: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> , Las Vegas, Nevada
*	February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

Mark A. Riccobono, President

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 659-9314 | officeofthepresident at nfb.org <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>  

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind> 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 