Federal Tax Updates

Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA
  • 4.8 (36)
  • Business News
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. Jun 15

    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 into why the backlog keeps growing, how practitioners can get ahead of it by putting 8821s on file early, and why transcripts belong in your current-year filing, not just your representation work. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Read Bob's Article https://www.taxnotes.com/tax-notes-federal/practice-and-procedure/high-costs-irss-centralized-authorization-file-system/2026/04/06/7vjccChapters (00:00) - Welcome and Setup (02:36) - Why CAF Matters Now (06:54) - CAF Explained POA vs TIA (10:42) - Choosing 8821 vs 2848 (13:46) - Backlogs and Real Impacts (15:45) - Manual Processing Volume Surge (18:54) - Million Hours and 50M Cost (21:23) - Deadlines Snowball Effect (24:01) - CAF Volume Spiral (24:59) - Early Transcripts Benefits (28:33) - Client Use Cases (30:27) - Why IRS Can’t Keep Up (39:13) - Train Clients and Set Expectations (43:33) - Transcripts Beyond Representation (44:32) - VITA Volunteering Insights (48:56) - Wrap Up and Thanks Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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.

    51 min

  2. Jun 1

    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 hard July 10 deadline to claim refunds on COVID-era penalties and interest, with new ERC extension options and a possible conservation easement settlement adding to the summer to-do list. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters (00:00) - Welcome Back From DC (00:46) - What We Heard In Washington (01:37) - Busy Season Takeaways (03:53) - IRS Digital Transformation (07:42) - CAF Delays And Practitioner Pain (09:31) - Online Accounts And ID Verification (14:54) - Paper Checks Phaseout Confusion (21:00) - Efile Rejections And Fraud Filters (22:43) - Trump Accounts And State Conformity (26:25) - New Developments The Kwong Case (28:45) - What Kuang Covers (34:07) - Practitioner Duty to Notify (37:49) - Processing Delays and Proof (41:19) - ERC Extra Time Request (43:27) - Easement Penalties and Settlement (48:11) - Action Items and IRS Forums (52:50) - Wrap Up and Next Episodes Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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.

    55 min

  3. May 11

    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 check-to-direct-deposit transition that left many taxpayers stranded, IRS phone lines that connect but don't solve, and the growing gap between what clients are hearing on TikTok and what their tax pros are actually filing. It's a filing season debrief unlike any other. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters (00:00) - Live From DC Fly-In (00:57) - Meet Ben Valdez (01:37) - Why Tax Journalism (02:19) - Reporting Complex Tax (03:14) - What Ben Is Watching (04:19) - Annie Recaps Filing (06:40) - Paper Checks Fallout (10:42) - Calling The IRS (13:04) - Audience SSN Credit Trap (15:41) - Standards And Misinformation (18:39) - Expats And International Changes (22:06) - Who Really Benefited (23:44) - Refund Hype Reality (25:11) - Fighting Tax Misinformation (27:01) - VITA Outreach Ideas (29:57) - Two Way IRS Dialogue (33:26) - No Silver Bullet Comms (35:43) - Payments Notices Chaos (37:06) - Phone Help Training Gaps (39:34) - Digital Messaging Future (42:16) - Identity Verification Surge (45:50) - Advisory Committees Value (48:09) - E File Rejections 1065 (50:07) - Final Thanks Wrap Up Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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.

    52 min

  4. Apr 27

    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 April 15th Congressional hearing, and an urgent reminder about the Kwong v. United States penalty relief deadline that's closer than you think. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters (00:00) - Welcome to Federal Tax Updates (00:56) - How Filing Season Went (03:07) - E File Perfection Period (05:28) - Avoid Rejection Penalties (06:27) - Post Season Firm Review (08:49) - Staff Clients Tech Tune Up (11:28) - Receivables And Reality Check (14:28) - Extensions And Client Capacity (17:21) - Kwong Case Penalty Relief (22:00) - How To File Form 843 (24:00) - Finding Penalties And Advising Clients (26:08) - Refund Tips Appeal Risk (28:15) - Appeal Or Move On (29:28) - Find Claims And Notify Clients (31:00) - Value Price The Filing (32:55) - No Tax On Tips Update (36:54) - Trump Accounts Stats (39:27) - Refund Credit Goes To Preparers (41:23) - IRS Hearing Highlights (46:55) - Budget Cuts And Tax Gap (51:53) - Wrap Up And DC Teaser Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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

  5. Apr 13

    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 unreported, what a paper return filing means for a client's refund timeline (hint: think late 2027), and why getting every client an IP PIN before the next deadline isn't optional anymore. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters (00:00) - Tax Season Check In (00:43) - Why Pros Are Targets (03:14) - Breach Stats Rising (05:01) - Reporting And Fallout (06:14) - Paper Return Backlog (09:31) - IP PIN For Everyone (11:26) - Long Term Identity Damage (15:36) - Monitor Your EFIN (16:22) - EFIN Compromise Explained (18:59) - Fast IRS Response Process (22:10) - Top Email Scams Today (26:35) - MFA And Safe Replies (30:22) - Train Your Staff (31:09) - How Breaches Start (32:32) - WISP Reality Check (35:09) - WISP Becomes Law (36:44) - Bank Info Hijacks (39:57) - Stop Refund Fraud Fast (42:14) - Refund Speed Risks (45:26) - IP PIN Protection Plan (50:57) - Stakeholder Liaison Help (56:40) - Closing Security Takeaways Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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.

    59 min

  6. Mar 30

    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 COVID pandemic, and the window to file a claim is closing fast. They also dig into where ERC cases stand now, including why blanket IRS denials are clogging the appeals pipeline and what practitioners should be watching. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters (00:00) - Welcome and Setup (02:06) - Meet Frost Law Firm (04:19) - Jessica Tax Court Experience (06:08) - Why Tax Controversy Matters (06:55) - Kwong Case Overview (09:28) - Disaster Deadline Rules (11:22) - Refund Claims and Deadlines (14:03) - IRS Response and Strategy (18:12) - Filing Form 843 Right (25:32) - ERC Meets Kwong (29:03) - ERC Audits and Mediation (30:20) - Appeals Backlog Deadlines (31:23) - Why ERC Won’t Die (32:55) - PEO Refund Roadblocks (36:01) - Where ERC Litigation Stands (38:17) - IRS Service Breakdown (43:25) - Tariffs Ruling Refunds (48:07) - When to Call Frost (53:41) - New SBA EIDL Collections (54:40) - Tariff Refunds Non Importers (56:50) - Final Thanks Sign Off Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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

  7. Mar 16

    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 deductions. They also break down what the IRS CEO told Congress this week, including some filing season stats that are better than expected, and some quality concerns that aren't. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Links mentioned in this episodeChapters (00:00) - Tax Season Check In (02:23) - Bipartisan IRS Service Bill (03:33) - Modernizing IRS Tech (07:52) - Tax Preparer Standards (12:02) - OBBBA 2.0 Talk (16:04) - Healthcare Proposals (17:33) - Crypto Regulation Bills (21:30) - Bills That Passed (23:45) - Scams and Security Focus (27:31) - Filing Season Updates (28:01) - IRS Service Struggles (29:24) - Union Morale Fallout (31:23) - Notices and Forms Update (33:26) - CEO Hearing Highlights (36:11) - Audits and Tax Gap (38:17) - New Deductions Growing Pains (39:49) - Car Loan Interest Confusion (47:01) - ERC and Other Fraud Lessons (49:30) - Tariffs and Refund Questions (51:15) - AI Tax Prep Threat (53:02) - Wrap Up and Sign Off Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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.

    55 min

  8. Mar 2

    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 taking effect in 2026, including why your office coffee pot is now a tax problem. SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Chapters (00:00) - Mardi Gras Catch Up (01:38) - Tax Season Pulse Check (05:02) - New Tips and Overtime Law (06:52) - Tracking and Payroll Prep (10:43) - New Fees and Tip Confusion (12:31) - W2 Example Box 14 Codes (16:10) - Should We Ask About Overtime (20:21) - OT Premium Smell Test (23:37) - Weird W2 Overtime Codes (26:02) - Pay Stub Premium Math (28:23) - Pay Stub Math Costs (28:53) - Overtime Premium Basics (31:11) - W2 Box 14 Overtime (32:25) - When Details Are Missing (34:33) - Double Overtime Limits (35:16) - Salary vs Overtime Claims (37:34) - Due Diligence and Fees (39:59) - Meals Rules Change 2026 (43:59) - Zero Deduction Office Meals (44:35) - Coffee and Snacks Debate (47:57) - Client Education and COA (50:46) - IRS Paper Checks Ending (54:47) - Wrap Up and Next Steps Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Mediatwitter.com/FedTaxPodfacebook.com/FedTaxPodlinkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpodConnect with the Hosts on LinkedInRoger HarrisAnnie SchwabReviewLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or PodchaserSubscribeSubscribe 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
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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 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Earmark Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Federal Tax Updates

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