| 1. What does OSTC stand for? |
Oregon Society of Tax Consultants.
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| 2. What does OSTC offer that other organizations do not? |
At OSTC, we put our members first. We try to provide quality education at a reasonable price and do it in a friendly manner.
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| 3. Who can be a member in OSTC? |
Anyone who prepares taxes or assists in the preparation of taxes, i.e. LTP, LTC, EA, CPA & Attorney, plus anyone with an interest can join as a
Contributing Member (pays 1/2 dues but no voting rights).
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| 4. How many Units are there in OSTC and where are they located? |
We have 7 Units around the State. They are located in central areas: Columbia River Unit represents the Portland area; Capital Unit represents
the Salem area; South Willamette Unit represents the Eugene/Springfield/Cottage Grove area; Umpqua River
Unit represents the Roseburg/Myrtle Creek area; High Desert Unit represents the Bend/Redmond/La Pine/Central Oregon area; Grants Pass Unit represents the
Grants Pass/Medford area; South Shores Unit represents the North Bend/Coos Bay/Southern Coast area.
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| 5. Where do I find a monthly Unit meeting? |
Go to the ostcinc.org website and click on each Unit to see where and when they meet.
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| 6. How many hours of education can I get as a Member of OSTC? |
Most Units have monthly meetings and offer 2 hours of education, either free or at a nominal fee.
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| 7. How many hours of education can I get by attending the State functions of OSTC? |
The State has 3 seminars each year: in January there is a 6 hour for $25 seminar in each of the 7 Units; in May, a Spring Fling seminar is
held in Newport and offers 12 to 14 hours for $155 (includes 2 break-fasts and 2 lunches); and in September our annual Convention is held,
where we offer between 16 to 20 hours for $185 (includes 2breakfasts and 2 lunches and a banquet dinner).
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| 8. How do I join OSTC? |
If you are a new member, go to our website ostcinc.org, click on Download Forms, and then click on New Member Application. Fill out the
application online and submit your payment via MC or Visa. Dues are $60/year plus a one-time fee of $10.00 initiation fee.
It’s well worth the money.
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| 9. How do I renew my dues and what is the cost? |
If you have been a member within the last 3 years, go to the website, click on Dues, and then click on Changes/Dues Renewal. Dues renew
from July 1st to June 30th and are $60/year. If you are paying after July 31st, there is a late fee of $50 you would have to add to renew
your dues, for a total of $110.
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| 10. Can I renew my Dues on-line? |
Yes, you can go to Dues on the Home Page, click on Member Renewal, and follow from there.
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| 11. How do I update my personal information? |
Get on our website, go to Dues Renewal, enter your PTIN and it will take you to your personal page. Make updates and hit confirm,
do not pay again, but back out of the program and the changes will take place. It normally takes 2 days for changes to appear.
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| 12. Does OSTC use name badges? |
Yes, and you should be able to get one from the Unit that you join. The Unit’s Secretary should give any new member a name badge.
If not, ask the Unit President. We request that you wear your name badges to “all OSTC Functions”. Some Units may access a badge fine
if you are a member and are not wearing your name badge. We encourage our members to wear their name badges.
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| 13. Do I need to wear my name badge at State events? |
Yes, the State will be accessing a badge fine at all events. To be eligible for door prizes at State events, you will need to be wearing
your name badge. If you do not have one, ask one of your unit’s officer.
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| 14. Where do I get a list of the Membership? |
We no longer provide a membership list except to the Unit Presidents due to privacy issues, and then only their Unit’s members.
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| 15. How often should I receive a financial statement from my Unit? |
Each Unit's Treasurer should provide a Treasurer's report at each business meeting.
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| 16. Do I get a discount at other tax organizations as an OSTC Member? |
No, we do not offer a discount to other organizations and we normally do not receive one. We keep our prices extremely low, thus they are
for our members only.
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| 17. Can I attend other Unit's Education and what are the costs? |
Yes, all Units offer OSTC members the same price for education, unless they are holding a special once a year "Member Appreciation Event".
In that case, there may be a somewhat higher fee for other OSTC Unit members.
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| 18. How can I volunteer to help in OSTC? |
Either by calling one of the Unit or State Officers (see list of Officers) or check one of the boxes when you renew your
dues. If you do not hear back from anyone, call a State Executive Board Officer.
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| 19. What if I want to run for an office in OSTC? |
We encourage anyone who wants to run for an office to contact the Election Chairperson (see Committee Members).
If no Chairperson exists, please contact your Unit’s President.
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| 20. Does OSTC have Bylaws and/or Standing Rules? |
Yes, once you are a member in Good Standing you will receive a code to see both the Bylaws and Standing Rules on our website.
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| 21. Is OSTC a Registered Non-Profit Organization? |
Yes, we are a 501 (c)-6 Corporation.
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| 22. How can I change Units? |
On our website, click on downloadable forms, Unit Change, print off and mail in to State Secretary who’s address is on our website.
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| 23. How do I open OSTC XML files? |
Click here to learn how to open our various XML files.
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