Education and Engagement Remain Front and Center for TEI Members. (Tax Executives Institute)

• Date: 01 March 2024
• Author: Edupuganty, Sandhya

It's been a little over a month since we convened for our 74th Midyear Conference, but the impressions are vivid, whether from the Fireside Chat with IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Deputy Commissioner Doug O'Donnell; the myriad rich and pertinent educational sessions, often with government speakers; the member industry roundtable lunches; the generous sponsor parties that seem to get better every conference; and TEI's Tuesday evening reception, with a "Rock of Ages" theme. There were many Elvis Presleys in the room that Tuesday evening, although I am quite sure I saw the real Elvis hanging out with Tina Turner!

The deputy commissioner had rich and varied questions for the commissioner for their chat, and the commissioner had thoughtful and honest answers for our members. The mutual respect the two have for each other and the respect they have for taxpayers, our members, and improving access to and responsiveness of the Internal Revenue Service were very apparent throughout the session. For many years, TEI members have benefited from the deputy commissioner's openness to feedback and input. The commissioner reiterated the request for members to reach out and provide inputs as the IRS attempts to address challenges and opportunities with the modernization funding it received under...