PODCAST · news
Federal Tax Updates
by 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.
Episodes
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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"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...
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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...
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2026 Tax Season Kickoff: Big Beautiful Bill and Building a Better Firm
Roger and Annie open 2026 by reviewing the major provisions from the Big Beautiful Bill that will affect this tax season, including no tax on tips, overtime exemptions, senior deductions, and car loan interest. They shift focus to practice management essentials that often get overlooked…
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Navigate the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for Tax Season 2026
This is a bonus episode from a recent webinar Annie and Roger did. Prepare for Tax Season 2026 and the changes brought by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Join Federal Tax Updates co-hosts Roger Harris and Annie Schwab for a focused look at the most impactful provisions and what they mean for your...
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Why That $350K Practice Isn't Worth What You Think
Andres Costa and Emily Goodman have acquired four accounting practices since 2021, expanding from a single location to five offices with a team of ten. They break down their acquisition strategy, from finding deals and structuring payment terms to handling employee transitions and raising client...
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Getting the Band Back Together: Former Commissioner Werfel on IRS Challenges Ahead
Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel and longtime agency communications chief Terry Lemons join Roger and Annie for a candid Thanksgiving conversation about the mounting challenges facing the agency heading into the 2026 filing season. The discussion covers budget cuts, staffing reductions, the...
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38 Minutes of Access: Inside a Real Tax Office Hack
John Barucci joins the show to break down his real-life data breach. John thought he had all the right safeguards in place: cyber insurance, firewalls, security training, and a written information security plan. But a single click on what appeared to be a Social Security Administration email led…
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Building a Year-Round Practice Through Representation Work
Roger and Annie welcome Alan Pinck, EA and moderator of Tax Talk Today, for a wide-ranging conversation about his transition from hospitality management to tax representation work. Alan shares war stories from the days of preparing returns by hand, explains why treating IRS auditors with respect...
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AI for Tax Professionals: Beyond the Hype
Roger and Annie sit down with Blake Oliver, founder of Earmark, to cut through the AI confusion. Blake explains why AI is more like a brilliant Harvard-trained intern with amnesia than a tax professional replacement, sharing practical applications from document organization to quality control…
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The Three Pillars: Hiring, Pricing, and Marketing Your Way to a Sellable Firm
Drawing from insights gathered at five IRS tax forums this year, Roger and Annie are joined by Jeff, Amanda, and Katarina to tackle the three most pressing challenges facing small accounting firms. From remote hiring strategies to why 90% of clients accept fee increases to essential marketing...
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No Tax on Tips: Who Made the List and What It Means
Roger and Annie break down the preliminary list of occupations qualifying for tax-free tips, including some unexpected entries like plumbers and digital creators. They discuss the compliance headaches ahead with retroactive implementation but no updated forms until 2026. The conversation shifts…
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Even More on the Big Beautiful Bill
Roger and Annie break down the aftermath of Commissioner Billy Long's abrupt departure to become Ambassador to Iceland, leaving Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as acting commissioner amid widespread IRS staff cuts and uncertainty. They also explore the massive 900+ page "Big Beautiful Bill"…
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Inside IRS Stakeholder Liaison: Your Direct Line to Tax Problem Resolution
Recorded live from the New Orleans Tax Forum, Roger and Annie sit down with Maggie Romaniello from IRS Stakeholder Liaison to discuss this often overlooked but crucial IRS department. Maggie explains how Stakeholder Liaison serves as an advocate for tax professionals and their clients, handling...
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One Big Beautiful Bill Passes: Everything You Need to Know
Washington DC tax expert Thad Inge joins the show again for a deep dive into the Big Beautiful Bill. He breaks down the tax legislation that extends TCJA provisions and introduces new benefits like tax-free tips and overtime. Together with Annie and Roger, they explore the surprising speed of the...
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Your Client Data Is Under Attack: An IRS Agent's Warning
Tax professional data breaches have exploded in 2025, with 327 reported incidents affecting over 342,000 taxpayers in just half a year. Glenn Gizzy, a 36-year IRS veteran now specializing in data breach prevention, reveals the sophisticated tactics criminals use to infiltrate tax practices. From...
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The Big Beautiful Bill: Summer Tax Drama Unfolds
Annie and Roger break down the political maneuvering around the "big beautiful bill" extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, explaining why seemingly simple provisions like no tax on tips and overtime could create major headaches for the 2026 filing season. They examine proposed IRS budget cuts of…
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Beyond the Resume: Why Skills Testing is the Future of Accounting Hires
Giles Pearson, co-founder of Accountests and former PwC partner, shares how one disastrous hire led him to revolutionize recruiting in the accounting profession. The conversation explores why traditional hiring methods fail, how skills and personality testing can predict job success, and reveals...
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Former Commissioner Danny Werfel Speaks on the Past and Future of the IRS
Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel joins Roger and Annie for a wide-ranging conversation about his tenure leading the nation's tax agency during a period of unprecedented funding and modernization efforts. Werfel discusses the challenges of rebuilding IRS operations, his decision to resign…
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Tax Season Aftermath
Roger and Annie discuss important tax updates that occurred during the busy tax season, including new IRS guidance on Employee Retention Credits and the current status of Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements. They explore the significant staffing challenges and leadership...
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Inside the IRS: A Conversation with Terry Lemons
For our milestone 50th episode, Roger Harris and Annie Schwab welcome Terry Lemons, who spent 26 years at the IRS including 11 years as Chief of Communications and Liaison. Terry shares insights from working with six different IRS commissioners, preparing officials for congressional testimony…
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Replay: Surviving a Cyber Attack
In this episode, Roger sits down with Catharine Madeley, a tax practitioner who recently experienced a data breach at her firm. Catherine shares her firsthand account of how the breach unfolded, the steps she took to respond, and the lessons she learned along the way. She offers valuable insights...
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Circular 230 Changes: What Practitioners Need to Know
Roger and Annie welcome guest Bob Kerr to discuss proposed changes to Circular 230, the regulations governing practice before the IRS. They explore contentious issues including contingent fees being classified as "disreputable conduct," expanded rights for non-credentialed preparers, and new...
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BOI Relief, Tax Reform, and IRS Restructuring
Roger and Annie provide critical updates on the Treasury Department's decision to halt Corporate Transparency Act penalties and enforcement requirements, bringing relief to tax practitioners and their clients. They break down the six-step reconciliation process for tax reform, offering clarity on...
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IRS Upheaval: Staff Cuts, BOI Updates, and Filing Season Insights
Roger and Annie explore major changes affecting tax professionals in early 2024, including significant staffing changes at the IRS and ongoing uncertainty around Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements. They break down the new 1099-K reporting thresholds and explain how to...
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IRS Funding, Tax Gaps, and Modern Tech
Former IRSAC Chair Annette Nellen joins Roger and Annie to discuss critical challenges facing the IRS and tax administration. The conversation explores the growing tax gap, the importance of consistent IRS funding, and efforts to modernize taxpayer services through online accounts and digital...
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Tax Season Kickoff
Roger and Annie dive into the complex political dynamics shaping potential tax reform in 2025, breaking down the strategic implications of pursuing one comprehensive bill versus two separate pieces of legislation. They provide critical updates on the ever-changing BOI regulations, including…
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Crypto for Tax Pros
Crypto tax expert Amir Marmar of JFDI Accountants breaks down the complexities of cryptocurrency taxation and shares guidance on when tax professionals should handle crypto cases themselves versus partnering with specialists. He explains key concepts like wallet-level reporting requirements…
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Achieve 10X Growth for Your Firm: The Firm Owner's Playbook
Three successful accounting firm owners share their journeys from small practices to achieving 10X revenue growth. Through candid conversations about hiring strategies, systemization, and community support, these Padgett franchise owners reveal practical insights for scaling an accounting…
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Tax Season 2025: Changes, Challenges, and Uncertainties
Annie and Roger discuss crucial tax updates as 2024 draws to a close, including the recent injunction against beneficial ownership reporting requirements, the evolving landscape of ERC claims processing, and changes to the clean vehicle credit program. They examine how the recent election results...
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Post-Election Tax Landscape
Capitol Hill insider Thad Inge joins Roger Harris to unpack how the election results could reshape major tax policy decisions in 2024 and beyond. The discussion explores the potential fate of expiring Trump-era tax cuts, the future of IRS funding, and the complex political dynamics that will...
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1099-K Thresholds, Crypto Reporting, and the Future of IRS Filing
Special guest Wendy Walker, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Sovos and Chair of IRSAC's Information Reporting Committee, breaks down the latest developments in 1099-K reporting thresholds and the upcoming 1099-DA form for digital assets. The discussion explores the practical challenges facing tax...
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What You Need to Know About Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting | Part 2
In Part 2 of their BOI series, Roger and Annie tackle the most challenging aspects of beneficial ownership reporting requirements, focusing on determining who qualifies as a beneficial owner and the significant penalties for non-compliance. They dissect FinCEN's FAQs about substantial control…
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What You Need to Know About Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting | Part 1
In part 1 of this 2-part series, Annie and Roger dive into the complexities of the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements. They discuss who needs to file, key deadlines, and potential risks for tax professionals assisting clients with compliance. The hosts emphasize the...
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How Modern Firm Owners are Addressing Common Industry Woes
Zach Warren from Thomson Reuters Institute and Amanda Aguillard from Padgett dive into the pressing challenges facing modern accounting firms, particularly those in the mid-sized range. They explore innovative solutions to the talent shortage, discuss the surprising resilience of time-based...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Federal Tax Updates have?
Federal Tax Updates currently has 93 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Federal Tax Updates about?
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...
How often does Federal Tax Updates release new episodes?
Federal Tax Updates has 93 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Federal Tax Updates?
You can listen to Federal Tax Updates on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Federal Tax Updates?
Federal Tax Updates is created and hosted by Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA.
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