PODCAST · business
Traction with the Tiger
by Chris Wittich
Hosted by the dynamic Chris Wittich, Traction with the Tiger is your go-to podcast for staying ahead in the world of accounting, business, and beyond. Chris tackles hot topics, shares invaluable business tips, and keeps you informed on the latest trends in the industry. With a keen eye for what's relevant, Chris invites a variety of engaging guests—from industry leaders to fellow experts—to share their insights, experiences, and practical advice. Whether you're an accounting professional, a business owner, or simply curious about the latest in finance and strategy, Traction with the Tiger delivers an energizing mix of expertise, inspiration, and actionable takeaways. Tune in and get ready to roar through your business challenges with confidence!
Episodes
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The Tip Credit: Key Rules, Limitations and What Businesses Need to Know
The tip credit has expanded beyond restaurants and food service to include the beauty industry, creating new planning opportunities for salons, nail businesses, med spas and other qualifying businesses. But understanding the credit goes beyond simply multiplying tips by 7.65%. In this episode of...
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The Biggest Challenges Facing Accounting Firms Today
What are the biggest challenges facing accounting firms today? The 2026 AICPA Top Issues Survey offers a surprising answer: technology and AI. In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich breaks down the survey’s findings across firm sizes, from solo practitioners to firms with 500+...
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The New SGO Tax Credit: A 100% Federal Tax Credit for Charitable Giving
Most charitable donations provide a tax deduction—but what if your contribution resulted in a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit instead? In this episode, Chris Wittich explores the new Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) tax credit created under Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code....
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Trump Accounts Update: Robinhood Launch, IRS Gift Tax Relief & What Families Should Know
Trump accounts officially begin rolling out, and there are several important updates families should understand before opening one. In this episode, Chris Wittich discusses Robinhood becoming the initial custodian, the latest IRS guidance on gift tax reporting, and what Revenue Procedure 2026-25...
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Kwong Case Explained: A Limited-Time IRS Penalty Refund Opportunity
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Tax Partner Chris Wittich breaks down the recent Kwong case and what it could mean for taxpayers who paid IRS penalties during the COVID-19 period. Chris explains who may qualify for a refund, how Form 843 is used to file a claim, and why the July 10,...
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What Employers Need to Know About 401(k) Audits: A Conversation with Jake Kriegler
When your company's retirement plan reaches a certain size, a 401(k) audit may become a requirement, but many employers don't realize it until they're up against a deadline. In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich sits down with Boyum Barenscheer Audit Partner Jake Kriegler to...
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Minnesota’s New Tax Bill: What Businesses Need to Know Now
In this solo episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich breaks down Minnesota’s newly signed 2026 tax bill and what it means for business owners, pass-through entities, and taxpayers across the state. Chris walks through the most important changes in the legislation, including the…
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What Should You Really Take Away From a Conference?
In this solo episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich dives into conference season, a familiar rhythm for CPAs and business professionals after the intensity of tax season. From salon industry conferences to major CPA events like AICPA ENGAGE, Chris breaks down the different reasons...
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How to Measure a Successful Tax Season: The 2 Metrics That Actually Matter
Tax season is over. Now comes the real question: how should you measure it? In this solo episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich breaks down the most common ways CPA firms evaluate tax season performance, and why many of them fall short. From revenue and returns filed to extensions, new...
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Recruiting Strategies, Firm Growth & Candidate Experience: A Conversation with Josh Gerdes
In this episode, Chris Wittich sits down with Josh Gerdes, Director of Recruiting Solutions at Boyum Barenscheer, to discuss strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in CPA firms. Josh shares insights on building a candidate-first experience, using proactive recruiting techniques, and...
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Manufacturing in Minnesota: A Conversation with James Woelfel
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, host Chris Wittich sits down with James Woelfel, Audit Senior Accountant in Boyum Barenscheer’s Manufacturing Group, to discuss the current state of manufacturing in Minnesota and what the economic data suggests for 2026. They break down key economic...
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What’s Really Happening with Minnesota Tax Conformity: A Conversation with Nick Creamer
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich is joined by Senior Tax Manager Nick Creamer to discuss Minnesota’s ongoing nonconformity with recent federal tax changes and what it means for the 2026 tax season. They break down key issues like bonus depreciation, Section 174 R&D...
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What’s Really Happening in the Salon Industry: A Conversation with Tracy Stevens
The salon industry is experiencing its biggest tax changes in decades and the impact is huge. In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich and salon industry specialist Tracy Stevens break down what’s happening right now, from tip credits and compliance to why tax planning matters…
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The Power of Coaching: A Conversation with Leslie Callahan
In the inaugural episode of Season Two of Traction with the Tiger, host and “Tax Tiger” Chris Wittich sits down with Leslie Callahan, Director of Leadership Development and HR, to explore the role coaching plays in driving personal, professional, and firm-wide growth. Chris and Leslie discuss how...
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When Reality Stars Meet the IRS: A Conversation with Jasmin McKenzie
In this episode, Chris Wittich and Jasmin McKenzie take a deep dive into headline-making tax crime stories from the world of reality TV. From lavish spending to falsified financial records and ultimately prison sentences, they walk through how things escalated behind the scenes and what stood out...
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Right-Sizing Internal Controls for Nonprofits: A Conversation with Jasmin McKenzie
Join host Chris Wittich and guest Jasmin McKenzie as they break down what strong internal controls look like for nonprofit organizations. In this episode, they explore why accurate financial reporting matters, how to right-size controls for small and mid-sized nonprofits, the most common mistakes...
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Navigating Minnesota’s Paid Leave Law: A Conversation with Marie Prewett
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and “tax tiger” Chris Wittich sits down with Boyum Barenscheer HR Director Marie Prewett to unpack Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave law, set to take effect in 2026. They discuss who’s covered, key compliance deadlines, and how to…
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Paper Checks Are Going Away
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and tax tiger Chris Wittich covers the IRS announcement and executive order aimed at reducing paper checks. Paper refund checks and paper payments will largely be phased out after September 30, 2025, with some exceptions. Chris...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: The Hidden Challenge of State Conformity
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with a Tiger, host and tax tiger Chris Wittich dives into one of the most overlooked but critical issues in tax planning, state conformity. While the One Big Beautiful Bill introduced sweeping federal tax changes, states like Minnesota do not...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: QSBS and Section 1202 Changes
This episode of Traction with the Tiger delivers a headline update on Qualified Small Business Stock, also known as Section 1202. The One Big Beautiful Bill has extended and expanded QSBS, introducing new holding period tiers and raising eligibility thresholds. Whether you’re setting up a new...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Expanded 529 Plan Flexibility
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich is joined by Isabel Wollermann from the tax team to break down recent changes to 529 plans included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. From doubling the K–12 spending limit to $20,000, to allowing funds to...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: No Tax on Social Security? Not So Fast.
In this emergency headline edition of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich cuts through the noise surrounding the much-hyped "no tax on Social Security" provision. Spoiler alert: that’s not actually what the law does. Chris breaks down the new $6,000 senior deduction, who...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Charitable Giving Gets Complicated
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich breaks down the surprising new rules around charitable deductions under the One Big Beautiful Bill. There’s a new above-the-line deduction of up to $1,000 (or $2,000 for joint filers) for cash…
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Vehicle Loan Interest Gets a Deduction
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich unpacks a brand-new and unexpected benefit from the One Big Beautiful Bill: the ability for some individuals to deduct up to $10,000 of interest on a new car loan. But, as always, the details matter....
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: What Are Trump Accounts?
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich explains a brand-new feature of the One Big Beautiful Bill: The “Trump Accounts.” Designed for children born between 2025 and 2028, these government-seeded investment accounts start with a $1,000...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Energy Credits Get the Axe
In this emergency headline edition of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich breaks down the surprising and sweeping elimination of energy-related tax incentives under the One Big Beautiful Bill. From the repeal of Section 179D deductions to the disappearance of residential...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: ERC Enforcement Heats Up
In this emergency headline episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich unpacks the latest updates surrounding the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) in light of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill. From increased enforcement provisions and extended statutes of...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Depreciation Showdown – Bonus vs. Section 179
In this quick-hit emergency episode of Traction with the Tiger, host and Tax Tiger Chris Wittich dives into a smart question raised during a recent client webinar: If bonus depreciation is back to 100%, is Section 179 still worth it? Spoiler alert. yes, it is. Chris breaks down the critical...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: The Gamble You Didn’t Know You Made
Chris Wittich tackles a late-breaking tax change that’s creating a lot of noise: the new 90% cap on deductible gambling losses. Previously, gambling losses were deductible up to the amount of winnings now, only 90% of those losses count. The result? Gamblers who break even could still owe tax on...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Understanding the No-Tax-on-Tips Deduction
Chris Wittich sits down with Nick Swedberg to cover one of the most talked-about provisions in the new tax bill: the no-tax-on-tips deduction. This new rule allows up to $25,000 in tip income to be excluded from tax, but only if the tips are properly reported and come from a job where tipping is...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Bonus Depreciation is Back? What That Really Means
Chris Wittich and Matthew Koch unpack the sweeping changes to depreciation in the new tax bill. From the return of 100% bonus depreciation to an expanded Section 179 limit, there’s plenty to like. But the real story is a new category, Qualified Manufacturing Property, that could allow…
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Section 174 Fixed? What That Really Means
Chris Wittich and Matthew Koch explore the long-awaited fix to Section 174 that finally passed in the new tax bill. After three years of painful addbacks and capitalization requirements, businesses with domestic R&D expenses can now go back to deducting them, but not without a few key decisions....
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: Tip Credit for Salons?
In this emergency headline edition of Big Beautiful Breakdown, Chris Wittich is joined by Nick Swedberg to dive deep into a hidden gem in the new tax legislation. The Tip Credit, long available only to food service businesses, is finally being extended to salons, spas, barbers, and other beauty...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: No Tax on Overtime? What That Really Means
In this episode of The Big Beautiful Breakdown, Chris Wittich is joined by Barb Sawdy to demystify the new “no tax on overtime” provision included in the latest tax bill. They break down how this new deduction is expected to function, including the $12,500 cap, income phaseouts, and the mechanics...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: What’s Not Changing in Individual Taxes
In this solo episode of The Big Beautiful Breakdown, Chris Wittich covers key individual tax provisions in the new tax bill that have been extended or only slightly modified. He explains what’s not changing, including tax brackets, the standard deduction, and personal exemptions, along with small...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: The New SALT Cap and Its Sneaky Phaseout
In this episode of The Big Beautiful Breakdown, Chris Wittich takes a closer look at the updated SALT cap, one of the most hotly contested parts of the new tax bill. While the cap on state and local tax deductions has been increased from $10,000 to $40,000, it now comes with a sharp phaseout for...
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The Big Beautiful Breakdown: QBI and SALT Cap Phaseout Risks
Welcome to The Big Beautiful Breakdown, our special podcast series on the newly passed tax bill. In this first episode, Chris Wittich tackles one of the most complex intersections in the legislation — how changes to the QBI deduction and SALT cap phaseouts could lead to an unexpectedly high tax...
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Tax Season & Fatherhood: A Conversation with Drew Wolf
Now that we're officially out of busy season, it's time to look back and reflect. In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, host Chris Wittich is joined by fellow tax professional Drew Wolf for a candid conversation about surviving tax season while parenting young children. They talk sleep...
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What’s (Not) Happening at the IRS: A Conversation with Katy Schultz
In this episode (recorded back in April), we check in on the IRS, and let’s just say, it’s not going great. From Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims stuck in bureaucratic limbo, to automated notices that seem to ignore reality, to the never-ending wait for amended returns, we unpack the chaos...
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The Role of Accounting in Factoring: A Conversation with Becky Gibbs & Kevin McCarty
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, host Chris Wittich is joined by Becky Gibbs and Kevin McCarty from Boyum’s factoring group. They dive into the world of factoring, explaining how companies buy receivables to help small businesses with cash flow. The team discusses the unique challenges...
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Navigating the Restaurant & Brewery Industry: A Conversation with Nick Swedberg
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, host Chris Wittich sits down with Nick Swedberg, the firm’s in-house restaurant and brewery expert. Together, they dive into the unique tax challenges faced by food and beverage businesses, covering payroll taxes, sales tax compliance, and research and...
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M&A Insights for Business Owners: A Conservation with Dan Callewaert
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich sits down with Dan Callewaert, one of the newest managers at the firm, to dive into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Dan shares his journey from public accounting to specializing in M&A, explaining the different stages of the…
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Proactive Estate & Tax Planning: A Conversation with Matthew Koch
In part two of our Death and Taxes series, we shift the focus to the living: what steps can you take now to make estate planning smoother for your loved ones? Host Chris Wittich welcomes back Matthew Koch to discuss key strategies like setting up wills and trusts, designating beneficiaries, and...
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Estate & Tax Considerations After a Loss: A Conversation with Matthew Koch
In this episode we dive into the crucial steps to take when handling the estate of a deceased loved one. From gathering essential documents like wills and death certificates to understanding account titling, probate thresholds, and tax filings, we break down the key responsibilities of executors...
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Tariffs Unpacked: A Conversation with Greg Carlson
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, Chris Wittich is joined by Greg Carlson, a partner at the firm, to discuss the latest on tariffs and their potential impact on businesses. With recent developments, including new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, the duo offers insights into how...
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Optimizing Manufacturing Success: A Conversation with Ashley Sparks
In this episode of Traction with the Tiger, host Chris Wittich chats with Ashley Sparks, a partner at the firm, about serving manufacturing clients. Ashley shares insights into challenges like adapting to QuickBooks changes, navigating tax issues like R&D credits, and handling tariffs. The...
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Inside Public Accounting: A Conversation with Charlie Metzig
In the debut episode of Traction with the Tiger, host Chris Wittich sits down with Charlie Metzig, Managing Partner at Boyum Barenscheer. They discuss Charlie’s journey from staff auditor to firm leader, the evolving landscape of public accounting, and how Boyum is adapting to industry changes…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by the dynamic Chris Wittich, Traction with the Tiger is your go-to podcast for staying ahead in the world of accounting, business, and beyond. Chris tackles hot topics, shares invaluable business tips, and keeps you informed on the latest trends in the industry. With a keen eye for what's relevant, Chris invites a variety of engaging guests—from industry leaders to fellow experts—to share their insights, experiences, and practical advice. Whether you're an accounting professional, a business owner, or simply curious about the latest in finance and strategy, Traction with the Tiger delivers an energizing mix of expertise, inspiration, and actionable takeaways.
Tune in and get ready to roar through your business challenges with confidence!
HOSTED BY
Chris Wittich
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Traction with the Tiger have?
Traction with the Tiger currently has 47 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Traction with the Tiger about?
Hosted by the dynamic Chris Wittich, Traction with the Tiger is your go-to podcast for staying ahead in the world of accounting, business, and beyond. Chris tackles hot topics, shares invaluable business tips, and keeps you informed on the latest trends in the industry. With a keen eye for what's...
How often does Traction with the Tiger release new episodes?
Traction with the Tiger has 47 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Traction with the Tiger?
You can listen to Traction with the Tiger 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 Traction with the Tiger?
Traction with the Tiger is created and hosted by Chris Wittich.
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