Federal Tax Updates

Hosted by Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA

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Oct 2026

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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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October 26, 2026Episode 8655 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.

October 12, 2026Episode 8551 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.

September 28, 2026Episode 8457 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.

September 14, 2026Episode 8357 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.

August 24, 2026Episode 8254 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.

August 10, 2026Episode 8154 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.

July 27, 2026Episode 8053 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.

July 13, 2026Episode 7959 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.

June 29, 2026Episode 7852 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.

June 15, 2026Episode 7750 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.