Tax Section Odyssey

AICPA & CIMA

Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices.

  1. 3D AGO

    Trump Accounts are coming — and you need to be ready

    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 known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The episode focuses on what CPAs need to know now to advise families on coordinating these accounts with broader tax, estate and financial plans.   NOTE: Gift tax return/GST tax return requirements for contributions to a Trump Account: At this time, Treasury and the IRS have not provided guidance under Sec. 530A clarifying that contributions to Trump Accounts are considered a completed gift of a present interest in property eligible for the annual gift tax exclusion ($19,000 per recipient for 2026 gifts). Without further guidance, it appears any contribution to a Trump Account will be considered a taxable gift of a future interest and therefore subject to both gift and GST tax — effectively reducing a taxpayers' federal estate tax lifetime exclusion ($15M for deaths occurring in 2026).     What you'll learn from this episode: What Trump Accounts are and how they fit alongside 529s, Roth IRAs and custodial accounts Understand who can contribute and how much to Trump Accounts Key contribution, investment and compliance rules for these accounts How to plan ahead for key transition points  Resources Trump Accounts under Sec. 530A — Timeline and insights IRS Trump Accounts IRS Notice 2025-68     Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices. This resource is part of the robust tax resource library available from the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section is your go-to home base for staying up to date on the latest tax developments and providing the edge you need for upskilling your professional development. If you're not already a member, consider joining this prestigious community of your tax peers. You'll get free CPE, access to rich technical content such as our Annual Tax Compliance Kit, a weekly member newsletter and a digital subscription to The Tax Adviser.

    20 min
  2. JAN 30

    Name, image, likeness — and taxes: What NIL means for student athletes and CPAs

    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 taxation. Highlights include key considerations — and opportunities — for CPAs advising clients in this rapidly changing area.   What you'll learn from this episode:  Understand how NIL income is taxed — and why student athletes are often surprised at filing time Learn where the biggest compliance risks and reporting pitfalls are for student athletes Explore the unresolved questions around worker classification and self‑employment (SE) tax Hear why state tax, dependency and multi‑state issues make NIL especially complex Resources ·       State and Local Tax (SALT) Resource Center ·       Student Athlete Income Recognition: State and Federal Tax Care Required   Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices. This resource is part of the robust tax resource library available from the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section is your go-to home base for staying up to date on the latest tax developments and providing the edge you need for upskilling your professional development. If you're not already a member, consider joining this prestigious community of your tax peers. You'll get free CPE, access to rich technical content such as our Annual Tax Compliance Kit, a weekly member newsletter and a digital subscription to The Tax Adviser.

    27 min
  3. 11/14/2025

    Tax planning unleashed

    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, expanded deductions and the return of immediate expensing for domestic research and development (R&D) costs. Tune in for practical insights on proactive planning and multi-year modeling to help clients maximize benefits under the new law.   What you'll learn from this episode: The impact of H.R. 1 on income tax planning Learn more about new and expanded deductions Hear about year-end actions that might be beneficial for taxpayers Why entity choice conversations might be necessary given the current law AICPA resources Planning after tax changes Tax Section Tax Section news and member FAQs Year-End Tax and Financial Planning Toolkit   Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices. This resource is part of the robust tax resource library available from the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section is your go-to home base for staying up to date on the latest tax developments and providing the edge you need for upskilling your professional development. If you're not already a member, consider joining this prestigious community of your tax peers. You'll get free CPE, access to rich technical content such as our Annual Tax Compliance Kit, a weekly member newsletter and a digital subscription to The Tax Adviser.

    20 min
  4. 10/09/2025

    Government Shutdown & IRS Updates

    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 and the practical effects on taxpayers and professionals. Listeners can also gain timely insights into recent developments such as the transition away from paper refund checks and implementation of guidance and updates to forms related to the new tax legislation. What you'll learn from this episode:  Government shutdown impacts on IRS operations Important information from the IRS on electronic refunds and payments Updates on guidance received from Treasury and the IRS on H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, the law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) implementation Concerns about IRS service levels in a government shutdown  AICPA resources ·       Navigating the government shutdown ·       Client letter and FAQ for a government shutdown during tax season ·       Planning after tax changes IRS resources ·       FY2026 IRS Lapse in Appropriations Contingency Plan   Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices. This resource is part of the robust tax resource library available from the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section is your go-to home base for staying up to date on the latest tax developments and providing the edge you need for upskilling your professional development. If you're not already a member, consider joining this prestigious community of your tax peers. You'll get free CPE, access to rich technical content such as our Annual Tax Compliance Kit, a weekly member newsletter and a digital subscription to The Tax Adviser.

    21 min

About

Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices.