Federal Tax Updates

Hosted by Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA

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Jul 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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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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch 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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodehttps://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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch 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/2026/04/06/7vjccChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

June 1, 2026Episode 7654 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

May 11, 2026Episode 7551 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

April 27, 2026Episode 7453 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

April 13, 2026Episode 7358 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

March 30, 2026Episode 7257 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.SponsorsPadgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters(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 Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe to the Federal Tax Updates podcast in your favorite podcast app!This podcast is a production of Earmark MediaThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this pageAll content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

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About the show

Listen to episodes

The IRS Just Made First-Time Penalty Abatement Automatic

Trump Accounts, NIL Tax Chaos, and Automatic Penalty Relief

Turning Tax Chaos Into Revenue Opportunities

What's New at the IRS Tax Forums

The $50 Million Bottleneck Inside the IRS CAF System

Off-Season, On Notice: Refund Deadlines and a New IRS

Live from the NAEA Fly-In: A Filing Season Debrief

Don't Cool Off Yet: Post-Tax Season Actions That Matter

Hackers Don't Take Tax Season Off

Free Money on the Table: What the Kwong Case Means for Your Clients

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