Federal Tax Updates
Federal Tax Updates
Roger Harris, EA and Annie Schwab, CPA
Washington Watch: Filing Season Pressures and Legislative Gridlock
58 minutes Posted Jan 26, 2026 at 3:00 pm.
Roger and Annie welcome back Thad Inge to decode what's happening in Washington DC as filing season kicks off. With potential government shutdowns, billion-dollar IRS budget cuts, and 25% of IRS staff gone through early retirements, uncertainty looms over tax professionals trying to implement retroactive provisions for overtime and tips. The conversation shifts to the renewed push for minimum tax preparer standards and why getting bipartisan legislation passed might be harder than ever in an election year.SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Connect with Thad IngeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thad-inge-9342155Website: https://www.vsadc.com/Chapters
Introduction and Greetings
Congressional Updates and Government Shutdown Concerns
IRS Staffing and Service Levels
Tax Legislation and Employer Guidance
State Tax Variations and Software Updates
IRS Budget Cuts and Inflation Reduction Act Funds
Student Loan Offsets and Political Implications
Potential Tax Legislation and ACA Premium Tax Credits
Trump's Healthcare Plan and Legislative Challenges
Tax Extenders and Bipartisan Cooperation
Child Tax Credit and Legislative Vehicles
The Legislative Process and Unanimous Consent
Senator Tillis and Party Defections
Minimum Standards for Tax Preparers
Incentivizing E-Filing for Small Businesses
Conclusion and Upcoming Tax Season
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58:05
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Show notes
Roger and Annie welcome back Thad Inge to decode what's happening in Washington DC as filing season kicks off. With potential government shutdowns, billion-dollar IRS budget cuts, and 25% of IRS staff gone through early retirements, uncertainty looms over tax professionals trying to implement retroactive provisions for overtime and tips. The conversation shifts to the renewed push for minimum tax preparer standards and why getting bipartisan legislation passed might be harder than ever in an election year.SponsorsPadgett -  Contact Padgett or Email Jeff PhillipsGet NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CELaunch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode.Connect with Thad IngeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thad-inge-9342155Website: https://www.vsadc.com/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Greetings
(
03:00) - Congressional Updates and Government Shutdown Concerns
(
09:04) - IRS Staffing and Service Levels
(
11:16) - Tax Legislation and Employer Guidance
(
15:53) - State Tax Variations and Software Updates
(
19:20) - IRS Budget Cuts and Inflation Reduction Act Funds
(
24:23) - Student Loan Offsets and Political Implications
(
27:29) - Potential Tax Legislation and ACA Premium Tax Credits
(
28:33) - Trump's Healthcare Plan and Legislative Challenges
(
29:08) - Tax Extenders and Bipartisan Cooperation
(
31:34) - Child Tax Credit and Legislative Vehicles
(
32:22) - The Legislative Process and Unanimous Consent
(
36:00) - Senator Tillis and Party Defections
(
39:08) - Minimum Standards for Tax Preparers
(
52:55) - Incentivizing E-Filing for Small Businesses
(
57:10) - Conclusion and Upcoming Tax Season
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