Agenda

8:30 AM – 8:40 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:40 AM – 9:50 AM
Keynote Presentation: A COST Assessment on Nationwide SALT Policies
Federal tax issues frequently intersect with that of the state, with recent developments in state and local tax (SALT) deductions at the federal level being among the most significant examples in 2025. Review top cases across the nation, including SALT impacts for multistate business operations and explore the advocacy efforts and other projects COST is currently undertaking to address state tax concerns.
Douglas L. Lindholm – Special Counsel and Chair, STRI Advisory Board, Council On State Taxation, Washington, D.C.
Aziza A. Farooki – Senior Director, Policy, Council on State Taxation, Washington, D.C.
Credits: 1.4 OT

10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Keynote Presentation: One Big Federal Update
What public policy issues present challenges for your organization and, likewise, which present opportunities? Review the most relevant federal regulatory, tax and legislative issues impacting businesses at the state and local levels, including important updates from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the latest legislation concerning pass-through entities and SALT deductions.
Patrick Robertson – Principal, Confluence Government Relations, Washington, D.C.
Credits: 1.0 OT

11:00 AM – 12:10 PM
Michigan FTE: Elections, Deadlines & Penalties
Taking the Michigan flow-through entity (FTE) election can be a wise tax maneuver, but Public Act 216 of 2024 made changes to the FTE standard election deadline. Review what you think you know about FTE, including the new election deadlines and expanded application of credit for FTE owners, estimated penalties and interest and more.
John Eardley, CPA, MST – Partner, Crowe LLP, Grand Rapids
Emily Irish, CPA – State & Local Tax Managing Director, BDO, Grand Rapids
Angela M. Matelski, CPA – Income Tax Specialist, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Credits: 1.4 OT

12:10 PM – 1:10 PM
Break for Lunch

1:10 PM – 2:20 PM
Leveraging AI & Automation in SALT Compliance
Discover how AI and automation are transforming state and local tax functions from accelerating tax research to visualizing pay-by-company dashboards and integrating disparate sources like website, sales, ERP systems and exemption certificates. Optimize your compliance and efficiency in sales and use tax management with the practical application of these new technologies.
Kevin Hoard, CPA – Senior Manager, Indirect Tax Automation, BDO, Troy
Chris Shrader – Managing Partner, BDO USA, Troy
Moderator: Adam Riemer – Director, Ryan LLC, Detroit
Credits: 1.4 OT

2:20 PM – 2:50 PM
Rightworks Demonstration & Afternoon Break
Is your technology keeping up with all the places your organization wants to go? Explore how to consolidate your tax and accounting tools into one secure, fully-managed cloud work space without the tech chaos including:

How to bring all your apps into one secure workspace.
How to offload IT and take back your time.
Why flexible tech is the key to scaling faster.
Why multifactor authentication, automated backups, and threat monitoring are must-haves.

2:50 PM – 4:00 PM
Demystifying Income Tax Updates
Stay ahead of evolving income tax regulations with a focused update on critical developments impacting state compliance, including retirement tiers, economic nexus in Michigan.
David Foos, CPA, JD – Administrator, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Lynn Gandhi, JD, LLM – Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP, Detroit
Thomas M. Zaino, JD, CPA – Managing Member & Founder, Zaino Hall & Farrin, LLC, Columbus, OH
Credits: 1.4 OT

4:10 PM – 5:20 PM
Hot Topic: Michigan Tax Edition
Tax revenue does more than fund state initiatives; it can also provide businesses with the support they need to succeed. Learn how Michigan taxes are raising revenues for road repairs, incentivizing research and development and reshaping business mergers. Plus, review ongoing issues associated with sales and use taxes, including tariffs, as well as taxpayer education.
David Matelski – Director, Bureau of Tax Policy, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Ralph Ourlian, CPA – Sole Practitioner, Livonia
Wayne Roberts, CPA, JD – Member, Bodman, Grand Rapids
Credits: 1.4 OT

5:20 PM
Program Adjournment