Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are answers to some of the commonly asked questions about TEI and TEI's website. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please email us and a staff member will follow-up with you.

ABOUT TEI & MEMBERSHIP

1. What is TEI?
Tax Executives Institute is the preeminent international association of business executives responsible for the tax affairs of their employers. Founded in 1944, TEI has grown to more than 7,000 members who represent 3,000 of the leading businesses in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Through TEI and its 54 chapters worldwide, tax executives have access to the finest, most cost-effective, tax training available; the camaraderie of their fellow tax professionals — who willingly share their insights, ideas, and experiences; and the ability to work together to improve tax policy and administration. The U.K.-based publication Tax Business has described TEI members as the “biggest, richest, and most influential group of taxpayers in the world.”

TEI members have access to the finest, most cost-effective, tax training available; the camaraderie of their fellow tax professionals; and the ability to work together to improve tax policy and administration.

• Education: Continuing Education is at the core of the Institute’s activities; TEI sponsors more than 600 educational programs a year at Chapter, Regional, and Institute levels. At the Institute level alone, more than 3000 people attend programs every year.  Working with the Tax & Accounting Business of Thomson Reuters, TEI also offers discounted online training to its members.
• Online Networking: Through TEI’s website, members have access to confidential discussion forums devoted to topics such as IRS Audits and Appeals, state, local, federal, Canadian, and international taxes, as well as management topics.
• Advocacy: TEI’s members play a critical role in identifying advocacy opportunities; as a member, you can lend your voice to the Institute’s efforts, and advance your company’s and community’s interests. Among the subject areas in which TEI has become involved in recent months are:

- FIN 48 (Uncertain Tax Principles) and IRS Announcement 2010-09
- International Financial Accounting Standards
- IRS Access to Tax Accrual Workpapers (Textron v. United States)
- Codification of Economic Substance Doctrine
- Tax Reform
- OECD Transfer Pricing Rules
- State Tax Apportionment Rules
- U.S. Cost Sharing Regulations
- Tax Penalties at the Federal and State Level

• Publications: TEI’s publications, such as its bi-monthly journal, The Tax Executive, are free to all members.

• Discounts: TEI has designated the Tax & Accounting Business of Thomson Reuters as its exclusive affinity partner for tax research.  Institute Members are entitled to significant discounts on many products, including new subscriptions to Checkpoint and publications of the company's Warren Gorham & Lamont imprint).   Discounts are also available on online training provided by through Thomson Reuter's MicroMash and Pass On Line affiliates, as well as on webinars. 

3. Do I qualify for TEI membership?

Membership is open to corporate employees who have a minimum of five years’ corporate tax experience or its equivalent, and who hold a position in tax management operations of a profit-oriented business. Individuals engaged in public tax practice are not eligible. Membership applications are reviewed by TEI’s Membership Committee; if you have questions about whether you qualify, you can obtain more information from TEI's Membership and Advocacy Guide, or you may call TEI at 202.638.5601.

4. I thought my company was already a TEI member; why should I join as an individual?


Membership in TEI is individually based; we do not offer company memberships. By joining you gain access not only to TEI’s educational offerings (and to its website), but also its committees.

5. How long does the membership process take?

Processing should take fewer than 25 days if all relevant information is submitted with the application. After the application is approved, you will receive an acceptance letter. During the approval process, potential members receive mailings from TEI.

TEI'S WEBSITE

1. What's my TEI Password and Login?

Members. Everyone's email address is his or her login; initial passwords were assigned in March 2010, upon the launch of TEI's website; those passwords were sent to existing members via email on March 8, 2010.  New members who apply online after that date will be prompted to create an account and set their password before completing the online application wizard.  New members who apply by mail or fax will receive their initial password with their new member welcome packet. (They will be prompted to change their password when they access the site for the first time.) If you forget your login or password, use the Forgot Your Password? utility on the login page. If you did not receive your login and password, please contact TEI at asktei@tei.org  or 202.638.5601. 

Former Members. All former members have an account using their email address and a pre-assigned password and login. If the email address in TEI's database matches your current address, the Forgot Your Password? utility on the login page may be used to obtain your password.  To update your email address, contact TEI at asktei@tei.org or 202.638.5601. . 

Nonmembers. Nonmembers who have participated in TEI-Washington meetings since 2001 or subscribed to Institute publications may already have an account with a pre-assigned password.  Try the Forgot Your Password? utility on the login page to obtain your password. If your email address has changed since you last attended a TEI meeting or if the Forgot Your Password? utility does not work, contact TEI at asktei@tei.org or 202.638.5601.  After verifying your identity, we can reset your email address.

Nonmembers who do not have an account will be prompted to create one to obtain a password and login in order to register for a meeting.

2. How do I login?

Click on the Login link on the upper right quadrant of the home page; fill in your email address and password on the login page. 

3. I've forgotten my password or login

Please contact asktei@tei.org to have your password or login reset. You request will be answered promptly.

4. Is the website secure?

TEI's website uses VeriSign to provide a secure socket layer to protect the information on the website. VeriSign encrypts sensitive credit card information for online transactions.

5. Who has access to my personal Information?


Each person with a TEI account has a unique login (i.e., email address) and password to safeguard access to personal information. To permit other members to contact you (so that you may, in turn, contact them), limited information about you, your company, your contact information, and other company information will be displayed in response to certain search criteria. Specifically, when members conduct a search for other members they will be able to view the same contact information available in TEI's printed roster. Nonmembers do NOT have access to your contact information via TEI's website. 

TEI makes every effort to ensure against unwarranted disclosure of your personal information. As explained on the Information page, there is an "Exclude from Directory" option for the electronic roster. For more information, see TEI's privacy policy.

6. I click on a link and it takes me to a screen that says "The page you are attempting to access requires a log in."  How do I get past this?

This occurs once a user fails to login.   See question 2 above.  

RENEWING A MEMBERSHIP

1. How do I renew my membership?

Detailed instructions on how to renew using the website can be found here.

2. Do I get a rebate if I join part way through the year?

Yes and No.  Individuals applying for membership pay an initiation fee and a year's dues regardless of when they apply.  But ... Individuals joining or reinstating between January 1 and March 31 will only be charged one-half year's dues ($100) for the ensuing fiscal year that begins July 1 following acceptance as a member. Individuals joining or reinstating after March 31 and before June 30 will not be billed at all for the subsequent fiscal year's dues.

3. How much are dues for membership?

Annual dues are $200 per person.

ADVOCACY & SUBMISSIONS

1. How do I make my voice heard within TEI and by the government?

TEI members have a voice in improving tax policy and administration.  For information on how to make your company issues part of TEI's advocacy agenda, review our Membership and Advocacy Guide.