Agenda

January 14, 2026

8:25 – 8:30 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – State Specific Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) Update
Rebecca Forter, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Geoffrey Snyder, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Mireille Eastman, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Channel 2: Multistate Tax Update
Leanne Scott, Senior Director, SALT, Alvarez & Marsal
In this session, you’ll get an overview of recent tax developments across New England impacting both business and individual taxpayers. We’ll also review recent public written statements from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Maine Revenue Services, New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration and Vermont Department of Taxes, as well as significant cases impacting taxpayers in these states.

9:40 – 10:20 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Appellate Tax Board Update
Mark DeFrancisco, Esq, Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board
In this session, you’ll get an update on state tax decisions from the Appellate Tax Board (ATB) and appellate courts. We’ll also cover best practices for appearing before the ATB and procedures for participating in remote hearings.

Channel 2: Gen AI in Action as a Transformative Tool for Accountants
Byron Patrick, TB Academy
Unlock the potential of generative AI to transform the accounting profession! In this session, you’ll learn how AI can automate repetitive tasks, provide powerful insights and enhance communication. Through real-world examples tailored for accountants, we’ll explore ways to streamline workflows, gain a competitive edge and navigate the ethical considerations of AI adoption. Discover practical tools and techniques that are reshaping the field—and find out how to take the next step toward mastering AI.

10:30–11:20 a.m. – Recent and Upcoming Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Cases: Penalties and Interest in Focus
Joe Schneiderman, Joe Schneiderman Esq.
In this session, we’ll review recent Supreme Judicial Court decisions and preview upcoming cases that address penalties and interest issues in the current court session.

11:30 – 12:20 p.m. – Domicile and Nonresident Income Tax Issues – a Deeper Dive
Richard Jones, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Joseph Donovan, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Get ready to take your understanding of domicile and nonresident taxation to the next level. Building on last year’s popular session, this deeper dive will explore the most common triggers that cause residency questions — and the practical steps you can take to help clients avoid costly mistakes. You’ll examine real-world examples of how Massachusetts and other states apply domicile tests, and how to prepare strong documentation when residency is challenged. You’ll walk away with clear strategies for navigating domicile determinations, identifying red flags early, and confidently advising clients with multi-state income and connections.

12:20 p.m. – Day 1 Closing Remarks

January 15, 2026

8:25 – 8:30 a.m. – Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. – OBBBA Updates and Planning Opportunities
Pete Tofilski, Crowe LLP
Rob Hermo, Crowe LLP
In this session, we’ll provide an in-depth overview of recent developments under the OBBBA framework, highlighting key compliance updates, legislative changes and their practical implications. We’ll also explore proactive planning strategies and opportunities to optimize tax positions and compliance readiness for the upcoming cycle.

9:30 – 10:20 a.m. The HIRE Act: What CPA Firms Need to Know About the Proposed Outsourcing Tax
Laurence Whittam, Impact Global Solutions
A new bill introduced in Congress, the HIRE Act, could have a major impact on firms that rely on offshore services. If passed and enacted on January 1, 2026, the legislation would impose a 25% excise tax on offshore services and eliminate related U.S. tax deductions—potentially increasing overall costs by more than 46%. In this session, we’ll break down the bill’s key provisions, examine its potential effects on firms and their clients—especially in the tech sector—and outline actionable steps your firm can take now to prepare and provide informed guidance to clients.

10:30 – 11:20 a.m. Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Building an Effective Unclaimed Property Compliance Program
Zachary Robbins, Crowe LLP
Amanda Fountain, Crowe LLP
Kick off the new year with a practical session on establishing and maintaining a compliant unclaimed property program. We’ll discuss best practices for setting up a compliance shop, leveraging technology and tools for reporting, and identifying available resources to streamline the UP process.

Channel 2: The True Object Test in the Digital Age
Daniel Ryan, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
As states modernize their tax systems, digital products and mixed transactions have become a gray area for taxpayers and practitioners alike. This session unpacks how state tax authorities and courts are applying the “true object test” to transactions that blend software, data, and services — and what that means for your clients. You’ll explore evolving case law, key state interpretations, and practical guidance for compliance in this rapidly changing landscape. You’ll walk away with?a stronger grasp of how to analyze complex digital transactions, apply the true object test effectively, and anticipate emerging trends in state taxation.

11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. – National Trends in State and Local Tax Policy
Karl Frieden, Council on State Taxation
Morgan Scarboro, MultiState Associates Inc
In this session, we’ll discuss the current state of revenues and examine the expansionary nature of federal spending, including how the Federal Reserve is actively reducing short-term interest rates to engineer a soft landing for the economy. While the fiscal and economic environment is generally positive, we’ll also address the unsettled policy and political landscape and the potential impact of the parties turning to states under their control to push for policies no longer possible at the federal level.

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