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Federal Tax Updates

Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA

CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and Tax Preparers can keep up-to-date with the latest federal tax information while earning NASBA approved CPE credits and IRS approved CE credits by listening to the bi-weekly Federal Tax Updates podcast. The hosts Roger Harris and Annie Schwab have over 75 years of tax experience between them, which has been featured in various media outlets including Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Morning Business Report, Bloomberg Business News, and Accounting Today.

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#87
Today · 53 min
Year-End Prep and What the Midterms Mean for Tax Policy
Roger and Annie run through the year-end housekeeping to finish before tax season 2027, from renewing PTINs and updating your WISP to the retirement of the IRS FIRE system and the new $2,000 threshold for 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC. They also cover the planning conversations to have with clients before December 31, including bunching deductions, Trump accounts, and timing equipment purchases. Recorded the day after the midterms, the episode closes with what Democratic control of Congress means for the lame duck session, the TAS Act, and the expiring provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Podcast Kickoff (00:20) - Post Midterm Catchup (01:18) - Tax Season Never Ends (02:45) - PTIN Renewal Checklist (03:09) - WISP And Cybersecurity (04:30) - EFIN And Insurance Prep (07:15) - IRS Online Accounts Push (09:18) - Staffing Pricing Tech Plans (10:56) - AI Policies And Engagements (13:08) - Payroll Filing Changes IRIS (14:28) - 1099 W2 And Withholding Tips (18:08) - Reasonable Comp Returns (20:45) - Client Outreach And Referrals (23:35) - Year End Planning Moves (28:20) - Review Brokerage Activity (29:27) - Fees Trading And AI Value (30:25) - RMDs 529s And FSAs (32:44) - Business Equipment Deductions (35:13) - Accounting Methods And QBI (37:37) - Client Touchpoints And Staffing (38:56) - Election Results And Lame Duck (45:02) - Tax Policy Under Divided Government (52:51) - Wrap Up And Holiday Wishes Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#86
October 26 · 55 min
Opportunity Zones Explained: Tax Benefits, Community Impact, and What’s Next
Roger and Annie are joined by Jonathan Tower, founder and CEO of Arctaris Impact Investors, to break down Opportunity Zones 2.0, the permanent version of the program that launches January 1, 2027. Jonathan explains the core tax benefits, what the end-of-2026 deadline means for OZ 1.0 investors whose deferred gains are coming due, and why skipping depreciation recapture may be the biggest win of all. They also take on the “tax break for the wealthy” criticism and how states are rethinking which areas qualify this time around. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome Back Annie (01:28) - Meet Jonathan Tower (04:23) - Impact Meets Returns (09:07) - Policy Roots and Detroit (12:57) - Why Opportunity Zones Work (14:29) - OZ 2.0 Basics (16:55) - Bonus Depreciation Upside (19:47) - Results and Housing Impact (22:12) - 2026 Deadline and Valuations (26:38) - What Excites Him Next (27:54) - Housing Crisis Focus (28:06) - Building New Developments (30:00) - Detroit Homes To Ownership (32:19) - Advisors And Contact (33:43) - Minimums And Investor Fit (36:03) - Risk Over Tax Benefits (37:33) - Public Criticism And Myths (39:30) - How Zones Get Chosen (45:50) - Policy Updates And Reporting (49:55) - Why The Program Works (52:18) - Final Takeaways And Wrap Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with Jonathan https://www.arctaris.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-tower Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#85
October 12 · 51 min
Tax Season Never Ends: What to Do Before the Next One
Roger and Annie lay out what tax pros should tackle between the October 15 extension deadline and next tax season, from IRS online accounts, WISP updates, and adding a second principal to your EFIN to pricing, hiring, and letting go of problem clients. They also cover what changes for year-end 2026 information returns, including the retirement of the FIRE system in favor of IRIS, higher 1099-NEC and 1099-K thresholds, and new W-2 codes for tips and overtime with no transition relief this time. Plus, an update on the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which passed the Senate and now needs the House to act before this Congress ends. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome Back Annie (02:22) - Online IRS Accounts (06:50) - WISP Cybersecurity Refresh (10:16) - PTIN Renewal Checklist (11:19) - EFIN Backup Principal (14:12) - Pricing Hiring Client Cleanup (19:26) - Appointment Scheduling Tools (22:04) - Year End Payroll Filing Prep (25:05) - 1099 Threshold Changes (25:44) - Missing 1099s Compliance (27:22) - 1099-K Threshold Reset (29:07) - W-2 Tips Overtime Codes (32:55) - Year-End Tax Payment Moves (34:44) - Fix Books Before Busy Season (36:48) - W-4 Adjustments And Fees (38:34) - Organizers Process And Software (41:19) - No Paper Checks Banking Info (44:22) - Trump Accounts And New Forms (45:12) - TAS Act And Congress Clock (47:34) - College Sports Bill Update (48:45) - Election Outlook And Wrap-Up (50:11) - Final Thanks And Next Guests Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#84
September 28 · 57 min
Rightsizing Your Accounting Firm Before Tax Season
Roger Harris is joined by Amanda Aguillard, COO of Padgett, to share what they heard from accounting firm owners on this summer's IRS and association conference tour: owners are tapped out and don't know where to start. Amanda walks through Padgett's right-sizing framework (the right work, for the right clients, at the right price, with the right staff). She covers why a "simple" $1,000 business return can hide $7,000 to $8,000 of unbilled cleanup, how to grade every client A through F, and why fewer than 10% of clients walk away from a price increase. With next tax season approaching, she argues that pricing is the one fix that makes everything else possible, from hiring to advisory work. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Link to Resource https://www.padgettadvisors.com/join/the-rightsizing-playbook/ Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and Guest Intro (02:29) - Amanda’s Career Journey (05:08) - Conference Pain Points (06:20) - Right Sizing Framework (11:09) - CEO Mindset Shift (14:01) - The Hidden Work Trap (19:41) - Advisory Capacity Opportunity (22:09) - Client Census and Grading (25:59) - Pricing Fears and Reality (29:25) - Emotionless Pricing Mindset (30:25) - Exceptions Not Strategy (31:22) - Drop The Guilt (33:10) - Objective Pricing Framework (34:07) - Complexity Risk Value (36:43) - Profitability Benchmarks (39:02) - Pricing Enables Hiring (43:50) - Case Study Cutting 1040s (46:27) - Raise Fees Now (47:42) - Clients Accept Increases (51:15) - Rip The Band Aid (52:57) - Pricing Beats Tech (55:42) - Wrap Up Resources Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#83
September 14 · 57 min
Senior Tax Breaks, Social Security Timing, and IRMAA Appeals
Roger and Annie tackle a topic they've never covered before: the tax issues that come with aging, for clients and preparers alike. They break down the new senior deduction, Social Security claiming strategies across the 62/67/70 timeline, IRMAA appeals, RMD rules, and when long-term care costs are actually deductible. They close with a cautionary tale about gifting appreciated property too early and the recordkeeping every family should have in place before it's needed. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and Forum Travel (00:59) - Listener Shoutouts and Podcast Origins (02:21) - Tax Talk Today Inspiration (04:23) - Senior Deductions and Filing Thresholds (07:51) - Social Security Tax Basics (08:48) - When to Claim Social Security (15:48) - Solvency Fears and Policy Fixes (20:21) - Medicare Premiums and IRMAA Appeals (22:29) - Retirement Plans and Inherited IRAs (24:57) - RMD Rules and Planning Ideas (27:29) - Long Term Care and Medical Deductions (28:25) - Senior Living Deductions (29:12) - Chronically Ill Criteria (30:35) - Spouses Insurance Statements (32:21) - Meals Fees Itemizing (34:38) - Facility Records Due Diligence (36:26) - Gifts vs Inheritance Basics (37:57) - Basis Step Up Valuations (41:43) - Estate Returns Advisory (43:32) - Gifting Appreciated Property (43:57) - Lake House Cautionary Tale (48:04) - Client Records Planning (51:01) - Bank Red Tape Death Certificates (54:21) - Advisor Role Wrap Up (55:25) - Podcast Closing Updates Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#82
August 24 · 54 min
Live from the IRS Tax Forum: New Orleans
Roger and Annie broadcast live from the IRS Tax Forum in New Orleans, pulling four guests off the exhibit hall floor for individual segments. Larry Gray breaks down how he teaches digital assets and 1099-DA reporting to practitioners who've never touched crypto, and Alan Pinck talks through the "no tax on tips/overtime/social security/car loan interest" provisions and where AI fits into practice management. Kelly Myers (incoming NSA president) and returning guest Maggie Romanello close things out with career news and a look at how the IRS stakeholder liaison role actually works. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Links mentioned in this episode NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals) https://www.natptax.com/ Tax Talk Today https://www.taxtalktoday.com/ Alan Pinck's practice https://apincktax.com/ NSA (National Society of Accountants) https://www.nsacct.org/ IRS Stakeholder Liaison Contacts ( https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/stakeholder-liaison-contacts Chapters (00:00) - Live From Tax Forum (01:09) - Meet Larry (02:00) - Teaching That Sticks (03:11) - Hot Topics And Crypto (07:41) - NATP Roots And Advocacy (12:12) - Fighting Bad Tax Advice (14:47) - Larrys Forum Day And Family (17:12) - Meet Alan And His Session (21:37) - Forum Energy And Exhibit Hall (24:44) - Tax Talk Today Origins (25:30) - Discussion First Format (25:49) - Seven Shows Schedule (26:32) - CPE Packages And Clips (28:30) - New Orleans Plans (30:06) - Utah Move And Routine (31:51) - Alan Wrap And Tour Dates (32:38) - Kelly Joins (35:39) - Teaching And Mentoring (39:17) - NSA Community Benefits (40:37) - AI Needs Human Review (44:13) - Maggie New IRS Role (47:28) - Stakeholder Liaison Explained (49:53) - How To Contact Liaison (53:16) - Podcast Wrap Up Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#81
August 10 · 54 min
The IRS Just Made First-Time Penalty Abatement Automatic
Roger and Annie take a midyear look at how the IRS is holding up: call center struggles, a wave of CP2000, CP05, and CP14 notices, and the sudden departure of top Treasury tax official Ken Kies. They break down the new automatic penalty abatement replacing the old first-time abatement process, updates to Trump accounts, and a long list of OBBBA provisions kicking in for 2026, from the educator expense deduction to a higher 1099-K threshold. They close with practical tips for managing the fall extension crunch and a prediction on whether the TAS Act clears its Senate Finance Committee markup. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and Catch Up (00:31) - Summer Tax Conference Circuit (04:06) - Why IRS Phones Struggle (06:22) - Digital Self Service Push (08:44) - Staffing Tech and Leadership Shift (12:34) - Tips and Overtime Reporting 2026 (14:39) - Refund Notices and Paper Checks (16:53) - Most Common IRS Notices (21:05) - Trump Accounts Guidance Update (24:03) - Kwong Case Status and Deadlines (27:00) - Fall Extension Survival (28:43) - Client Info Deadlines (31:13) - Systems and Automation (33:07) - Midyear Client Touchpoints (34:00) - Advisory in AI Era (35:21) - Automatic Penalty Relief (38:00) - AEP Tradeoffs Explained (42:36) - Key Changes for 2026 (45:59) - Business and Reporting Updates (48:50) - TAS Act Outlook (53:43) - Conference Plans and Farewell Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#80
July 27 · 53 min
Trump Accounts, NIL Tax Chaos, and Automatic Penalty Relief
Roger and Annie cover a mid-year batch of tax updates: new Trump account reporting rules and gift tax relief, the tangled world of NIL taxation (including a court case over an influencer's courtside Lakers tickets and concert deductions), a new automatic penalty relief program, IRS online account updates, practitioner succession planning requirements, and fresh AI guidance for tax practice. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Podcast kickoff and travel (01:49) - Midyear tax roundup agenda (02:37) - Trump accounts reporting changes (03:40) - Gift tax safe harbor update (07:29) - ERC claim extension option (09:43) - NIL taxes and missing guidance (14:39) - Influencer deductions court battle (23:13) - Sports tax talk and big events (24:40) - Automatic penalty relief program (28:22) - Automatic Penalty Relief Concerns (30:06) - Tax Pro Account Benefits (31:56) - Online Accounts Going Mainstream (33:50) - Helping Clients With IDme (34:50) - Paper Checks and Digital Push (38:13) - Succession Planning Best Practices (43:32) - AI Guidance Under Circular 230 (48:12) - AI Fees and Due Diligence (50:12) - Minimum Standards for Preparers (51:22) - IRS Forums and Wrap Up Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#79
July 13 · 59 min
Turning Tax Chaos Into Revenue Opportunities
Roger and Annie preview Roger's upcoming NATP presentation, using ERC and the Kwong case as case studies for how firms can turn disruptive tax changes into revenue rather than just extra work. They walk through the mistakes made during ERC (delayed action, existing-clients-only focus, missed growth opportunity), the closing window on Kwong refund claims, and what firms need in place internally and externally to capitalize on the next unexpected change. The conversation closes with a candid take on AI's role in reshaping the profession, and why proactive communication, not tax return production, is where firms will keep their value. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome Back Annie (00:50) - Previewing The Conference Talk (02:46) - Clients Want Advisory (08:09) - AI And The Future (10:03) - ERC Lessons Learned (15:16) - Tools For Fast Changes (17:29) - Marketing Beyond Clients (26:05) - OBBA And Data Mining (31:14) - Invest in Tech Stack (32:16) - OBB Client Communication (34:58) - Kwong Case Refund Window (39:29) - Data Mining and Online Accounts (41:45) - Communicate Even If Referring (46:18) - From Awareness to Action Plan (48:08) - AI as Drafting Assistant (49:39) - Future of Advisory Work (53:18) - AI Judgment and Pricing (58:08) - Wrap Up and Next Updates Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#78
June 29 · 52 min
What's New at the IRS Tax Forums
Roger Harris is solo while Annie Schwab is on sabbatical, joined by John Lipold of the IRS Office of National Public Liaison for a look at this summer's IRS Nationwide Tax Forums, including the brand-new Day Zero sessions, the return of case resolution, early-bird pricing, and the cities likely to sell out first. The episode also covers an OPR alert urging every firm to build a succession plan, the IRS appeal in the Kwong case and the July 10 refund deadline it does not extend, renewed seasonal hiring, the new Tax Professional Management Office, and the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act moving through the Senate. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode https://www.irstaxforum.com/ Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and Guest Intro (01:03) - What National Public Liaison Does (03:50) - Tax Forum Season Overview (05:01) - Cities Dates and Logistics (05:57) - What Makes Forums Different (10:02) - Pricing and Registration Deadlines (11:27) - Case Resolution and Digital Help (13:48) - Day Zero Practice Management (18:08) - Exhibit Hall and Networking Perks (19:52) - Sellouts and Final Forum Tips (23:13) - Transition to Other Updates (24:12) - Kwong Case Appeal and Deadlines (29:54) - Succession Planning OPR Alert (39:56) - IRS Hiring and Practitioner Office Changes (44:17) - Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act (51:01) - Wrap Up and Next Episode Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#77
June 15 · 50 min
The $50 Million Bottleneck Inside the IRS CAF System
Bob Kerr returns to break down his Tax Notes article on the IRS's Centralized Authorization File, the decades-old system that processes Forms 2848 and 8821 almost entirely by hand, now buried under 7 million forms a year at roughly 500 staff years and $50 million to run. He, Roger, and Annie get into why the backlog keeps growing, how practitioners can get ahead of it by putting 8821s on file early, and why transcripts belong in your current-year filing, not just your representation work. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Read Bob's Article https://www.taxnotes.com/tax-notes-federal/practice-and-procedure/high-costs-irss-centralized-authorization-file-system/2026/04/06/7vjcc Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and Setup (02:36) - Why CAF Matters Now (06:54) - CAF Explained POA vs TIA (10:42) - Choosing 8821 vs 2848 (13:46) - Backlogs and Real Impacts (15:45) - Manual Processing Volume Surge (18:54) - Million Hours and 50M Cost (21:23) - Deadlines Snowball Effect (24:01) - CAF Volume Spiral (24:59) - Early Transcripts Benefits (28:33) - Client Use Cases (30:27) - Why IRS Can’t Keep Up (39:13) - Train Clients and Set Expectations (43:33) - Transcripts Beyond Representation (44:32) - VITA Volunteering Insights (48:56) - Wrap Up and Thanks Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#76
June 1 · 54 min
Off-Season, On Notice: Refund Deadlines and a New IRS
Roger and Annie catch up on everything that shifted while practitioners were buried in returns: a leaner, digital-first IRS under new CEO Frank Bisignano, a bumpy phase-out of paper checks, and stricter e-file matching that tripped up routine returns. The Kwong decision has handed taxpayers a hard July 10 deadline to claim refunds on COVID-era penalties and interest, with new ERC extension options and a possible conservation easement settlement adding to the summer to-do list. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome Back From DC (00:46) - What We Heard In Washington (01:37) - Busy Season Takeaways (03:53) - IRS Digital Transformation (07:42) - CAF Delays And Practitioner Pain (09:31) - Online Accounts And ID Verification (14:54) - Paper Checks Phaseout Confusion (21:00) - Efile Rejections And Fraud Filters (22:43) - Trump Accounts And State Conformity (26:25) - New Developments The Kwong Case (28:45) - What Kuang Covers (34:07) - Practitioner Duty to Notify (37:49) - Processing Delays and Proof (41:19) - ERC Extra Time Request (43:27) - Easement Penalties and Settlement (48:11) - Action Items and IRS Forums (52:50) - Wrap Up and Next Episodes Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#75
May 11 · 51 min
Live from the NAEA Fly-In: A Filing Season Debrief
Roger and Annie take Federal Tax Updates on the road to the NAEA National Fly-In in Washington, D.C., joined by Tax Notes Federal reporter Ben Valdez and a room full of practitioners ready to talk. The conversation covers the messy rollout of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the paper check-to-direct-deposit transition that left many taxpayers stranded, IRS phone lines that connect but don't solve, and the growing gap between what clients are hearing on TikTok and what their tax pros are actually filing. It's a filing season debrief unlike any other. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Live From DC Fly-In (00:57) - Meet Ben Valdez (01:37) - Why Tax Journalism (02:19) - Reporting Complex Tax (03:14) - What Ben Is Watching (04:19) - Annie Recaps Filing (06:40) - Paper Checks Fallout (10:42) - Calling The IRS (13:04) - Audience SSN Credit Trap (15:41) - Standards And Misinformation (18:39) - Expats And International Changes (22:06) - Who Really Benefited (23:44) - Refund Hype Reality (25:11) - Fighting Tax Misinformation (27:01) - VITA Outreach Ideas (29:57) - Two Way IRS Dialogue (33:26) - No Silver Bullet Comms (35:43) - Payments Notices Chaos (37:06) - Phone Help Training Gaps (39:34) - Digital Messaging Future (42:16) - Identity Verification Surge (45:50) - Advisory Committees Value (48:09) - E File Rejections 1065 (50:07) - Final Thanks Wrap Up Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#74
April 27 · 53 min
Don't Cool Off Yet: Post-Tax Season Actions That Matter
Roger and Annie kick off post-tax season with a checklist of what to do now — from chasing down e-file rejections to evaluating your firm's clients, staff, and workflow while it's all still fresh. They also cover the latest OBBA updates on No Tax on Tips, key IRS filing season stats from the April 15th Congressional hearing, and an urgent reminder about the Kwong v. United States penalty relief deadline that's closer than you think. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome to Federal Tax Updates (00:56) - How Filing Season Went (03:07) - E File Perfection Period (05:28) - Avoid Rejection Penalties (06:27) - Post Season Firm Review (08:49) - Staff Clients Tech Tune Up (11:28) - Receivables And Reality Check (14:28) - Extensions And Client Capacity (17:21) - Kwong Case Penalty Relief (22:00) - How To File Form 843 (24:00) - Finding Penalties And Advising Clients (26:08) - Refund Tips Appeal Risk (28:15) - Appeal Or Move On (29:28) - Find Claims And Notify Clients (31:00) - Value Price The Filing (32:55) - No Tax On Tips Update (36:54) - Trump Accounts Stats (39:27) - Refund Credit Goes To Preparers (41:23) - IRS Hearing Highlights (46:55) - Budget Cuts And Tax Gap (51:53) - Wrap Up And DC Teaser Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#73
April 13 · 58 min
Hackers Don't Take Tax Season Off
IRS Stakeholder Liaison Glenn Gizzi returns with a sobering mid-tax-season update: data breaches affecting tax practitioners are already outpacing 2024, with over 206,000 taxpayers potentially compromised — and that's only what's been reported. Roger and Annie dig into why so many breaches go unreported, what a paper return filing means for a client's refund timeline (hint: think late 2027), and why getting every client an IP PIN before the next deadline isn't optional anymore. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Tax Season Check In (00:43) - Why Pros Are Targets (03:14) - Breach Stats Rising (05:01) - Reporting And Fallout (06:14) - Paper Return Backlog (09:31) - IP PIN For Everyone (11:26) - Long Term Identity Damage (15:36) - Monitor Your EFIN (16:22) - EFIN Compromise Explained (18:59) - Fast IRS Response Process (22:10) - Top Email Scams Today (26:35) - MFA And Safe Replies (30:22) - Train Your Staff (31:09) - How Breaches Start (32:32) - WISP Reality Check (35:09) - WISP Becomes Law (36:44) - Bank Info Hijacks (39:57) - Stop Refund Fraud Fast (42:14) - Refund Speed Risks (45:26) - IP PIN Protection Plan (50:57) - Stakeholder Liaison Help (56:40) - Closing Security Takeaways Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#72
March 30 · 57 min
Free Money on the Table: What the Kwong Case Means for Your Clients
Roger sits down with tax controversy attorneys Jessica Marine and Peter Haukebo of Frost Law to unpack a court ruling most tax pros haven't heard of — but probably should act on before July. The Kwong case could mean significant interest and penalty refunds for clients who filed late during the COVID pandemic, and the window to file a claim is closing fast. They also dig into where ERC cases stand now, including why blanket IRS denials are clogging the appeals pipeline and what practitioners should be watching. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and Setup (02:06) - Meet Frost Law Firm (04:19) - Jessica Tax Court Experience (06:08) - Why Tax Controversy Matters (06:55) - Kwong Case Overview (09:28) - Disaster Deadline Rules (11:22) - Refund Claims and Deadlines (14:03) - IRS Response and Strategy (18:12) - Filing Form 843 Right (25:32) - ERC Meets Kwong (29:03) - ERC Audits and Mediation (30:20) - Appeals Backlog Deadlines (31:23) - Why ERC Won’t Die (32:55) - PEO Refund Roadblocks (36:01) - Where ERC Litigation Stands (38:17) - IRS Service Breakdown (43:25) - Tariffs Ruling Refunds (48:07) - When to Call Frost (53:41) - New SBA EIDL Collections (54:40) - Tariff Refunds Non Importers (56:50) - Final Thanks Sign Off Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#71
March 16 · 54 min
40% Through: Filing Season Updates & Legislative Chaos
Roger and Annie check in at the 40% mark of filing season, covering a flurry of legislative activity — from a bipartisan Senate bill that would finally create minimum standards for tax preparers, to new crypto regulatory frameworks and the surprisingly complex mess around car loan interest deductions. They also break down what the IRS CEO told Congress this week, including some filing season stats that are better than expected, and some quality concerns that aren't. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Tax Season Check In (02:23) - Bipartisan IRS Service Bill (03:33) - Modernizing IRS Tech (07:52) - Tax Preparer Standards (12:02) - OBBBA 2.0 Talk (16:04) - Healthcare Proposals (17:33) - Crypto Regulation Bills (21:30) - Bills That Passed (23:45) - Scams and Security Focus (27:31) - Filing Season Updates (28:01) - IRS Service Struggles (29:24) - Union Morale Fallout (31:23) - Notices and Forms Update (33:26) - CEO Hearing Highlights (36:11) - Audits and Tax Gap (38:17) - New Deductions Growing Pains (39:49) - Car Loan Interest Confusion (47:01) - ERC and Other Fraud Lessons (49:30) - Tariffs and Refund Questions (51:15) - AI Tax Prep Threat (53:02) - Wrap Up and Sign Off Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#70
March 2 · 56 min
Tips, Overtime, and Meals: What's Actually Happening This Filing Season
Roger and Annie check in mid-tax-season with a candid look at what's actually landing on desks — from W-2s showing overtime pay coded a half-dozen different ways to clients convinced their entire salary qualifies for the new deduction. They also break down the meal and entertainment changes taking effect in 2026, including why your office coffee pot is now a tax problem. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Chapters (00:00) - Mardi Gras Catch Up (01:38) - Tax Season Pulse Check (05:02) - New Tips and Overtime Law (06:52) - Tracking and Payroll Prep (10:43) - New Fees and Tip Confusion (12:31) - W2 Example Box 14 Codes (16:10) - Should We Ask About Overtime (20:21) - OT Premium Smell Test (23:37) - Weird W2 Overtime Codes (26:02) - Pay Stub Premium Math (28:23) - Pay Stub Math Costs (28:53) - Overtime Premium Basics (31:11) - W2 Box 14 Overtime (32:25) - When Details Are Missing (34:33) - Double Overtime Limits (35:16) - Salary vs Overtime Claims (37:34) - Due Diligence and Fees (39:59) - Meals Rules Change 2026 (43:59) - Zero Deduction Office Meals (44:35) - Coffee and Snacks Debate (47:57) - Client Education and COA (50:46) - IRS Paper Checks Ending (54:47) - Wrap Up and Next Steps Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#69
February 16 · 51 min
"Hang Up and Call Back" — NAEA President Jennifer MacMillan on This Year's Filing Season
NAEA President Jennifer MacMillan joins Roger and Annie to talk about what she's hearing from enrolled agents on the front lines this tax season — including an IRS that's putting undertrained staff on the phones, backlogs that aren't getting resolved, and one practitioner who made 25 calls on a single issue without ever getting an answer. They also dig into the bipartisan push for minimum preparer standards, NAEA's win on Oregon licensing, and why Jennifer thinks managing client expectations around social security, tips, and overtime is going to be one of the biggest challenges of the season. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Links mentioned in this episode Chapters (00:00) - Welcome to Federal Tax Updates (03:40) - Jennifer's Journey (05:40) - Selling a Tax Practice the Smart Way: Timing, Systems, and Profitability (08:21) - What NAEA Offers: Community Support, Web Board, and Member Resources (09:39) - IRS Service Breakdown: Phone Lines, Staffing Losses, and Backlog Reality (12:28) - Real-World IRS Call Horror Stories: POA Issues, Callbacks, and TAS Limits (14:54) - Returns & Refunds: E-File Works—But Humans and Paper Still Slow Everything (16:19) - Managing Client Expectations in a Misinformation Tax Year (20:17) - Pricing Your Expertise: Value Billing, Fee Schedules, and Getting Paid for Knowledge (25:28) - Why Community Matters + The Accounting Today Webinar Recap (27:41) - Tax season prep: new laws, IRS notices & online accounts (29:57) - DC advocacy + NAEA Fly-In (May 5–6): what to expect (31:03) - Minimum standards for paid preparers: the bipartisan push (33:48) - Why regulation matters: tax gap, weak enforcement & bad actors (40:16) - State battles: Oregon licensing surprise + Minnesota win (47:07) - Join NAEA: member benefits, volunteering & community (50:05) - Wrap-up: upcoming topics and tax-season sendoff Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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#68
January 26 · 58 min
Washington Watch: Filing Season Pressures and Legislative Gridlock
Roger and Annie welcome back Thad Inge to decode what's happening in Washington DC as filing season kicks off. With potential government shutdowns, billion-dollar IRS budget cuts, and 25% of IRS staff gone through early retirements, uncertainty looms over tax professionals trying to implement retroactive provisions for overtime and tips. The conversation shifts to the renewed push for minimum tax preparer standards and why getting bipartisan legislation passed might be harder than ever in an election year. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Connect with Thad Inge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thad-inge-9342155 Website: https://www.vsadc.com/ Chapters (00:00) - Introduction and Greetings (03:00) - Congressional Updates and Government Shutdown Concerns (09:04) - IRS Staffing and Service Levels (11:16) - Tax Legislation and Employer Guidance (15:53) - State Tax Variations and Software Updates (19:20) - IRS Budget Cuts and Inflation Reduction Act Funds (24:23) - Student Loan Offsets and Political Implications (27:29) - Potential Tax Legislation and ACA Premium Tax Credits (28:33) - Trump's Healthcare Plan and Legislative Challenges (29:08) - Tax Extenders and Bipartisan Cooperation (31:34) - Child Tax Credit and Legislative Vehicles (32:22) - The Legislative Process and Unanimous Consent (36:00) - Senator Tillis and Party Defections (39:08) - Minimum Standards for Tax Preparers (52:55) - Incentivizing E-Filing for Small Businesses (57:10) - Conclusion and Upcoming Tax Season Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris Annie Schwab Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app! This podcast is a production of Earmark Media The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.
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