Federal Tax Updates
Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA
Recent Episodes
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 lingering ERC backlog, and why a hollowed-out compliance function puts both taxpayers and tax professionals at greater risk.
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 to Federal Tax Updates
- (01:22) - Introducing Special Guests: Terry Lemons and Danny Werfel
- (02:33) - Danny's Post-IRS Journey
- (08:03) - Terry Lemons' Post-IRS Activities
- (12:27) - Challenges Facing the IRS and Tax Professionals
- (19:52) - The Importance of IRS Compliance and Modernization
- (30:50) - Concerns About Workforce Sustainability
- (31:56) - Employee Retention Credit Issues
- (32:37) - Fraud and Government Response
- (35:30) - Impact of Government Shutdown on IRS Programs
- (36:53) - IRS Performance and Resource Allocation
- (40:52) - Challenges in Tax Compliance and Enforcement
- (46:17) - Preparing for the Upcoming Tax Season
- (51:19) - College Football Predictions
- (53:53) - Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes
Connect with Terry Lemons
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-lemons-77b3641a9
Connect with Danny Werfel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-werfel-89441594
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 - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerharrispbs/
Annie Schwab - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-schwab-852418261/
Review
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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.
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 to bad actors accessing nine client files, altering returns, and changing bank account information in just 38 minutes.
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) - Introduction and Greetings
- (00:56) - Current Events and Government Shutdown
- (01:56) - PTIN Renewal and Security Measures
- (02:59) - Introducing John Bucci's Story
- (04:34) - John Bucci's Cybersecurity Breach Experience
- (06:18) - Detailed Chronology of the Breach
- (18:38) - Immediate Actions Taken Post-Breach
- (22:14) - IRS and Software Company Responses
- (27:02) - Client Communication and Further Steps
- (30:34) - The Weight of Responsibility in Tax Practice
- (31:22) - The Importance of Having a Plan
- (32:28) - Immediate Actions Post-Breach
- (32:53) - Involvement of Thomson Reuters and Stopping the Breach
- (34:21) - Forensic Investigation and Legal Steps
- (35:48) - Cyber Insurance and Its Benefits
- (37:50) - IRS Practitioner Relief Program
- (43:27) - Final Reflections and Lessons Learned
- (50:02) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
twitter.com/FedTaxPod
facebook.com/FedTaxPod
linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod
Connect with John:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarucci
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.
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 yields better outcomes than adversarial tactics, and discusses the critical differences between examination and collections work. The conversation covers everything from ghost preparers and ERC problems to building a year-round practice, teaching strategies, and why the most important day of tax season is April 16th.
Sponsors
Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips
Connect with Alan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-pinck-ea-1b29b66
https://apincktax.com/
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) - Introduction and Welcome
- (01:05) - Special Guest Introduction: Alan Pink
- (02:13) - Alan's Journey into Tax Profession
- (04:57) - Challenges and Anecdotes in Tax Preparation
- (13:09) - Representation and Audits
- (22:28) - Collections vs. Examination
- (29:12) - Current Issues and Credits
- (30:06) - Taxpayer Liability and Rule Changes
- (31:11) - Understanding Captive Insurance
- (33:35) - Advice for New Tax Professionals
- (34:33) - NAEA and Educational Programs
- (38:21) - Becoming a Tax Talk Moderator
- (41:36) - Challenges and Rewards of Live Shows
- (51:12) - Upcoming Speaking Engagements
- (53:19) - Final Thoughts and Farewell
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.
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 that can work in firms today. The conversation explores which AI tools are worth trying, why voice mode changes everything, and why tax professionals who start experimenting now are still early adopters, not late to the party.
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 to Federal Tax Updates
- (01:19) - Guest Introduction: Blake Oliver
- (03:27) - Diving into AI: Initial Thoughts and Comparisons
- (07:58) - Understanding AI and Its Limitations
- (15:47) - Effective Use of AI in Accounting
- (21:41) - Choosing the Right AI Tools
- (24:49) - Security and Cost Considerations
- (30:46) - Best Practices and Pitfalls in AI Usage
- (33:17) - AI Struggles with Tax Complexity
- (34:34) - Human Verification in Tax Analysis
- (35:01) - AI's Limitations and Cost
- (36:29) - Misconceptions About AI in Tax
- (40:25) - AI's Role in Administrative Tasks
- (41:47) - AI in Quality Control and Research
- (43:26) - AI in Radiology and Tax
- (50:10) - Future of AI in Transportation
- (53:05) - AI in Manufacturing and Economy
- (56:17) - Adapting to AI in the Accounting Industry
- (57:21) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
twitter.com/FedTaxPod
facebook.com/FedTaxPod
linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod
Connect with Blake Oliver
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn
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.
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 basics, this episode shows how hiring, pricing, and marketing work together to create a thriving, sellable practice. Whether you're drowning in capacity issues or preparing for eventual retirement, these proven strategies offer a roadmap out of the daily grind.
Sponsors
Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips
- (00:00) - Welcome to Federal Tax Updates
- (01:10) - Overview of Today's Podcast
- (01:27) - Insights from IRS Forums
- (02:43) - Key Challenges in the Industry
- (04:20) - Deep Dive into Hiring Issues Pricing Strategies and Challenges
- (07:38) - Introducing Jeff Phillips on Hiring
- (08:53) - Remote Work and Hiring
- (28:41) - Introduction and Struggles with Pricing
- (29:10) - Linking Pricing to Hiring Challenges
- (30:08) - Consequences of Poor Pricing
- (31:55) - Implementing a Pricing System
- (33:35) - Client Reactions to Price Increases
- (36:16) - Timing and Strategy for Raising Fees
- (46:31) - Marketing and Growth Strategies
- (48:07) - Importance of Online Presence
- (50:52) - Leveraging Reviews and Referrals
- (01:01:33) - Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
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 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.