Federal Tax Updates

Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA

Details

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.

Recent Episodes

SEP 28, 2026
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.
57 MIN
SEP 14, 2026
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.
57 MIN
AUG 24, 2026
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.
54 MIN
AUG 10, 2026
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.
54 MIN
JUL 27, 2026
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.
53 MIN