TAX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT IN THE AGE OF AI
| Monday, October 26, 2026 – All Times Listed are Central Time Zone | ||||
| Start | End | Minutes | Topic | Speaker(s) |
| 12:00 | Registration Opens | |||
| 12:55 | 1:00 | Welcome and Introductory Remarks | ||
| 1:00 | 2:00 | What do we mean by AI? AI is reshaping the state tax function, but what does it mean in practice? This session will demystify and explain the difference between machine learning, natural language pro- cessing, generative AI, and traditional automation, while exploring practical applications in compliance, audits, state tax analysis, and controversy. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how AI can en- hance research, data analysis, and decision-making. (60 Min.) | Robert Guth Bass, Berry & Sims PLC Ilya Lipin Principal, BDO USA, P.C. Brooks McElyea Tax Partner, EY LLP | |
| 2:00 | 3:00 | Staying on Track: Guardrails and Governance Using AI AI is now indispensable for businesses, ser- vice providers, and tax authorities. But it’s not all prompts and rainbows. This panel will address what organizations should do to establish protocols for when, how, and to what extent AI tools may be used, build effective AI habits within governance guardrails, manage notification expectations, preserve human oversight, and respond to protocol violations. (60 Min.) | Kendall Houghton Partner, Alston & Bird LLP Brian Kirkell Principal, RSM US LLP Andrea Muse Editor in Chief, Tax Notes State, Tax Analysts | |
| 3:00 | 3:15 | Break | ||
| 3:15 | 4:15 | AI and Automation: An In-House Tax Perspective This panel of in-house SALT professionals will explore how companies use AI and automation to improve compliance, controversy, planning, data anal- ysis, reporting, and workflow management. Panelists will also address the risks of losing accuracy, confi- dentiality, internal controls, and audit defensibility that can result from using AI as a substitute for human review, technical judgment, and institutional knowledge. (60 Min.) | Troy Deason (Moderator) Managing Director, HCA Healthcare, Inc. Dennis Rimkunas Director, Head of U.S. Tax Audits and State and Local Tax, BNY Alexandra Sampson State Tax Counsel, The Hearst Corporation Mark Yopp Senior Managing Associate General Counsel, Verizon | |
| 4:15 | 5:15 | Getting the Best from Agentic AI This interactive panel will explore and provide examples of how SALT practitioners can think constructively about agentic AI and make the best use of its capabilities. Dis- cussion will include the most effective prompts for SALT work, pitfalls to avoid, and what to know about the tax data AI agents have at their disposal. (60 Min.) | Lori Fale Partner, Akerman LLP Chris Groves Managing Director, KPMG LLP Chuck O’Toole Chief Content Officer, Tax Analysts | |
| 5:15 | Adjourn | |||
| ESTIMATED TOTAL CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT HOURS AVAILABLE: 240 minutes: CLE 4 hours: – CPE: 4.8 hours (4.5 NASBA) | ||||
| 5:15 | 7:00 | Reception – Sponsored by Tax Notes |