Tax Section Odyssey

In this episode of the Tax Section Odyssey podcast, April Walker is joined by former IRS Communications Chief Terry Lemons , Public Relations Director — Frost Law, and Kelly Phillips Erb (Taxgirl), Senior Writer — Forbes, about what tax professionals should understand about the IRS, the media and today's fast-moving tax information environment. Their conversation explores IRS complexity, why tax s...

In this episode of the Tax Section Odyssey podcast, host April Walker talks with Jennifer Dymond, founder and CEO of Spire Consulting Services , about how improv techniques can help tax practitioners build stronger client communication and greater advisory confidence. Their conversation explores how skills like active listening, curiosity, flexibility and staying present can help practitioners mov...

After deadline season, it's tempting to move on and forget what didn't work — but this is the best time to make changes while the lessons are still fresh.   In this episode, April Walker is joined by Nancy McClelland, owner of The Dancing Accountant , to discuss small, realistic practice changes that can dramatically reduce tax-season stress. From shifting annual tasks to year‑round workflows and...

In this episode of the Tax Section Odyssey podcast, host April Walker is joined by Michael Waalkes of Kostelanetz LLP to discuss Kwong v. United States and why it has become a practical, time-sensitive issue for CPA firms after filing season. The episode discusses the facts of the case and what it held at a high level, why Sec. 7508A's COVID disaster relief period (through July 10, 2023) is drivin...

In this joint Tax Section Odyssey and Journal of Accountancy ( JofA) podcast episode, host Neil Amato is joined by Melanie Lauridsen, AICPA VP of Tax Policy & Advocacy and Todd Sloves, AICPA Director of Congressional & Political Affairs, t o discuss why paid tax preparer oversight is back in the spotlight. The conversation looks at key findings from a recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) repo...

Filing season is here — and so is confusion. In this episode, host April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, is joined by Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST, Partner — Porte Brown , to break down the most common questions around the new H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, the law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provisions, from Trump accounts to the senior deduction as well as discussion aroun...

In this episode, host April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, is joined by Kasey Pittman, Managing Director of Tax Policy — Cherry Bekaert .   A recent Supreme Court decision invalidated key tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — raising major questions about refunds, executive authority and what comes next. We discuss the ruling itself, expl...

In this joint episode with the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) podcast, hosts Cary Sinnett, CPF, CAP, CFT-1, CExP, and April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, are joined by is joined by Sebrina Ivey, CPA/PFS to explore Trump accounts, also known as Sec. 530A accounts. These accounts are a new tax-advantaged savings vehicle for children created under H.R 1, P.L. 119-21, the law kn...

In this episode, host April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, is joined by Edward Jenkins, CPA, CGMA, Professor of Practice in Accounting — Penn State University , to discuss name, image and likeness (NIL) taxation issues for student athletes. Together they unpack common misconceptions, emerging revenue streams, unresolved classification issues and the growing complexity of state t...

Align your compass to the year ahead. In this episode, April Walker brings tax leaders together to share intentional, practical ways to run a better practice, focusing on advisory-first mindsets, using artificial intelligence (AI) with a purpose, collaboration around new legislation and sustainable operating rhythms. What you'll learn from this episode:  How to prioritize client outcomes and reinv...

In this Tax Section Odyssey podcast episode, the final in a three-part miniseries on reimagining firm ownership, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, is again joined by Adam Shay, CPA, a former firm owner turned business coach for accounting firm owners . This episode explores the personal and professional journeys that can follow selling a firm.   This candid conversation offers practical advice for firm own...

In this Tax Section Odyssey podcast episode, the second in a three-part miniseries on reimagining firm ownership, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, is again joined by Adam Shay, CPA, a former firm owner turned business coach for accounting firm owners . This conversation explores how accounting firm owners can successfully navigate the process of selling their firm in today's competitive market. Gather act...

In this Tax Section Odyssey podcast episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, is joined by Adam Shay, CPA, a former firm owner turned business coach for accounting firm owners , to kick off a three-part series on reimagining firm ownership. The conversation explores the lifecycle of a modern accounting firm, focusing on building a sellable practice, developing future leaders and overcoming common challeng...

In this episode, host April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, sits down with Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST, Partner — Porte Brown , to unpack key year-end tax planning strategies. They dive into new opportunities for individuals and businesses under the H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, the law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including the increased state and local tax (SALT) cap, ex...

In this joint Tax Section Odyssey and Journal of Accountancy ( JofA) podcast episode, host Neil Amato discusses the impact of the recent and ongoing federal government shutdown on IRS operations and tax practitioners with Melanie Lauridsen, VP of Tax Policy & Advocacy at the AICPA. The conversation covers the history and mechanics of government shutdowns, what we know about IRS contingency plans a...

In this joint Tax Section Odyssey and Journal of Accountancy ( JofA) podcast episode, host Neil Amato sits down with tax expert Annette Nellen, Esq., CPA/CGMA, to discuss the latest developments in tax legislation, specifically H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, the law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Annette shares her insights on the new tax provisions, effective dates and the importance of a...

In this episode, host April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, delves into   the recently issued IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-28 with Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST, Partner — Porte Brown . Tune in to discover the implications of this IRS guidance and hear about the strategic decisions businesses can make to take advantage of presented opportunities.     What you'll learn from this episode:  Detail...

In this episode, Benjamin Alarie, CEO and co-founder of Blue J , and Ashley Francis, CPA/PFS, owner of The Francis Group, PLLC , discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in tax research. They sift through the best practices for using AI tools, the importance of asking the right questions and the future of AI in the tax profession. The conversation also touches on the potential risks...

On this episode, Chris Wittich, MBT, CPA, Partner — Boyum Barenscheer, joins again to discuss the latest updates on the employee retention credit (ERC) from H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, the law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Chris discusses how the legislation affects ERC claims and the implications for businesses with pending claims. He also delves into the extension of the statute of l...

In this joint episode with the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Section podcast, host Cary Sinnett, Senior Manager, Personal Financial Planning — AICPA & CIMA, further discusses the latest tax legislation with guests Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST, Partner — Porte Brown and Robert Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA . Hear insights on the recently passed tax legislation, implications for cl...

In this joint episode with the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) podcast, host April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Manager — AICPA & CIMA, discusses the latest tax legislation with guests Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST, Partner — Porte Brown and Robert Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA . Hear insights on current tax legislation, implications for clients and important considerations for tax pro...

This discussion with Katie Thomas, CPA, Founder and Owner of Leaders Online , covers three key phases related to making the most of attending professional conferences: pre-conference preparation, strategies for networking and attending sessions during the conference and post-conference activities to reinforce learning and capitalize on connections. The conversation includes practical tips for sett...

Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, prior to the House of Representatives vote early Thursday morning May 22, 2025 — 215 in favor, 214 opposed, 1 voting present. See this Journal of Accountancy (JofA) article for updates on the bill that occurred overnight prior to the vote. In this joint episode with the JofA podcast, host Neil Amato discusses with Melanie Lauridsen, Vice...

This discussion with Nik Fahrer, Director and Digital Assets practice leader at Forvis Mazars , and Shehan Chandrasekera, Head of Tax Strategy at CoinTracker , centers around the complexities of digital asset tax reporting. The conversation highlights the importance of accurate tracking and reporting of digital asset transactions, the nuances of the new regulations and the need for tax practitione...

On this episode, Steve Wrappe , a National Technical Leader of transfer pricing at Grant Thorton and Reema Patel , a Senior Manager on the AICPA's Tax Policy & Advocacy team, discuss the intersection of tariffs and tax. The conversation covers the basics of tariffs, their implications for US-based businesses and how tariffs interact with transfer pricing and inventory valuation. The guests also sh...