Join us for the 91st Annual Tax Symposium!
Get ahead of the curve at the Annual Tax Symposium — your go-to event for the latest on state and local tax trends impacting today’s businesses. Designed for tax, legal, and public affairs professionals, this dynamic program dives into the most pressing and complex issues shaping the tax landscape.
Date: December 3-4, 2026
Location: The Meadows Events & Conference Center at Prairie Meadows
Address: 1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
Directions: Click here for a Google map of directions
Continuing Education: Continuing education hours are available for continuing professional education (CPE) and continuing legal education (CLE). There is also one hour of ethics credit available.
Registration Fees:
- Two-Day: $425
- One-Day: $325
- Thursday LSW Award Lunch Only: $55
Online Registration Closes November 23!
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
This agenda is preliminary and subject to change. As more session and speaker details are finalized, dates, times, topics, and presenters may be adjusted. Please refer to the latest agenda for the most current information.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3
7:30 am: Registration and Breakfast
A hot breakfast buffet will be provided.
8:00 am: General Session: Annual Meeting of the Members
Election participation during this meeting is limited to ITA members only.
8:15 am: General Session: President Welcome & Keynote Speaker, Maggi Thorne
ITA President, Nate Ristow will welcome attendees before introducing the keynote speaker.
Keynote Presentation | Maggi Thorne
Maggi Thorne is a dynamic motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and elite athlete. An 8-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, she was the second mom to conquer the Warped Wall and the first to complete the Salmon Ladder. She is also a two-time NBC Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge championship competitor and the 2014 Mrs. International winner.
After managing more than $340 million in construction projects, Maggi founded JoyFlowCo, where she inspires and equips active women to pursue their goals. She also placed second in The World's Toughest Mudder, completing 75 miles and 330 obstacles in 24 hours.
A former University of Nebraska-Lincoln Track & Field Team Captain and Big 12 Honor Roll athlete, Maggi shares an inspiring message of perseverance drawn from her experiences as a single mother of three, business leader, and competitor. Her engaging style encourages audiences to never give up and to pursue their dreams despite life's challenges.
Maggi is also a community advocate, serving as a spokesperson for AIM Institute, a former global ambassador for feedONE, and creator of a Girl Scouts entrepreneurship patch earned by thousands of scouts. Her leadership and service have earned her both the Governor's Award for Inspiring Community Engagement and the American Heart Association Heart of Gold Award.
When she's not speaking, serving her community, or traveling with her children, Maggi enjoys staying active and, most importantly, chips and salsa.
9:45 am: General Session: Iowa Economic Development Authority Update
11:00 am: Breakout Sessions: Sales & Use Tax and IEDA Tax Incentive Programs
Sales & Use Tax Update: Developments, Audit Trends, and Practical Risk Management | Marcus Weden
This session covers recent sales and use tax developments in Iowa and other states, and what they mean for businesses. We will look at current audit trends, the areas getting more attention from tax authorities, and common pitfalls and missed opportunities. The session also covers practical ways to manage compliance risk, including exemption documentation, tax technology, and the growing role of automation and AI. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways and examples of how organizations are responding to today's sales and use tax challenges.
IEDA Tax Credit Programs | Jon Cleereman & Lisa Connell
12:00 pm: Lunch
A hot plated meal will be served along with a delicious dessert.
12:30 pm: Linda S Weindruch Award Presentation
The 2026 award recipient information coming soon
1:15 pm: Breakout Sessions: State Income Tax and Property Tax Assessment Appeals
State Income Tax Session | Jess Morgan
Property Tax Assessment Appeals | Jerry Chatam
The session will discuss recent legislative changes made by the Iowa Legislature, how it will impact you, and how to benefit. This will provide a unique opportunity to reduce fixed operating expenses (real estate taxes).
2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions: Tax Controversy and Department of Management Update
Tax Controversy | David Machemer
Department of Management Update | Director Kraig Paulsen
DOM Budget and Other updates
3:45 pm: General Session: Iowa's Economic Outlook
Iowa's Economic Outlook | Robin Anderson
The current state of the Iowa economy will be discussed, including how certain U.S. policies and economic trends affect the State. The current state of the economy will provide a basis for the outlook for Iowa going forward.
4:45 pm: Future of Iowa Foundation Reception
You're invited to the Future of Iowa Foundation Reception — an evening of purpose, connection, and impact!
Enjoy appetizers and drinks while supporting the Foundation’s vital research and educational initiatives through a lively fundraiser.
It’s also a fantastic chance to network with peers, engage with legislators, and spark conversations with potential new partners.
Don't miss out on this fun and lively event, which included a raffle of a variety of gift baskets and other cool items!
A sincere thank you to Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel for their generous support of the Future of Iowa Foundation’s reception during the ITA 90th Tax Symposium!
We wish to express our continued gratitude to Prairie Meadows for their dedication to promoting social welfare and for making a positive impact in Iowa by supporting grassroots initiatives.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4
7:30 am: Breakfast
A hot breakfast buffet will be provided.
8:00 am: General Session: Welcome & Federal Update & View from DC (Washington, DC)
Washington Update | Jessica Cameron
9:30 am: Breakout Sessions: Ethics and State Tax Best Practices
Hot Tax Practice and Procedure and Ethics Issues for the Estate Planner | Michael Goller
This engaging program will address timely tax practice, procedure, and ethics issues that estate-planning professionals and other tax advisers should know. The presentation will provide practical updates on current IRS and state tax examination and enforcement developments, important procedural and deadline traps, professional-responsibility and Circular 230 concerns, valuation and appraisal issues, and other recurring problems arising in audits, appeals, and tax planning. Particular attention will be given to common blunders practitioners should avoid, strategies for responding effectively to government information requests, preserving a strong administrative record, and applying sound professional judgment in a changing tax-enforcement environment.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify current federal and state tax practice and procedure developments that may affect taxpayers and their advisers.
2. Recognize significant procedural traps involving examinations, information document requests, administrative appeals, refund claims, limitations periods, and preservation of the administrative record.
3. Evaluate recurring ethical and professional-responsibility issues under Circular 230 and related standards, including diligence, competence, conflicts, written advice, reliance on experts, and communications with clients and taxing authorities.
4. Identify practical concerns involving valuation, qualified appraisals, penalty exposure, reasonable-cause defenses, and the selection and use of experts.
5. Apply practical risk-management techniques to avoid common practitioner errors and improve the handling of tax audits, appeals, and related controversies.
State Tax Best Practices - Industry Only | Russ Gotto, Kyle Auffert
10:45 am: Breakout Sessions: AI and IDR Update
AI | Arwa Weisbrod
Iowa Department of Revenue Update | Mary Mosiman, Kurt Konek, Ben Clough, Nick Behlke, Matt Bishop, Tiana Slaney
Iowa Department of Revenue
2026 Highlights
2027 Priorities
12:00 pm: Box Lunch
A box lunch will be provided for you to enjoy during the Legislative Panel.
12:15 pm: Legislative Panel
Nate Ristow, ITA President will moderate the session
Sen. Dan Dawson, Sen. Tony Bisignano, Rep. Elizabeth Wilson
1:30 pm: Adjournment
The 91st Annual Tax Symposium will adjourn at 1:30 PM.
Attendees will be sent a satisfaction survey at the conclusion of the event.
HOTEL INFORMATION
A block of rooms has been reserved at Prairie Meadows Hotel at a discounted price. Make your reservation online or by calling 515.957.3000.
Daily rates start at $149 + tax for a King or Double Queen room. The booking deadline has been extended to Wednesday, November 11. After this deadline, reservations will be made on a space-available basis and room rates cannot be guaranteed. Check-in is 4:00 pm.
Group Code: IATAXASSN/2026
Password: 863000104
LEGISLATIVE PANEL
Rep. Elizabeth Wilson (D)
District 73
Sen. Tony Bisignano (D)
District 15
Stay tuned for updates on our other panelists for 2026!
THANK YOU TO OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!
DIAMOND SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
- BNSF Railway
- EY
- Hubbell Realty
- Iowa Bankers Association
- Iowa Credit Union League
- KPMG
- People Inc
- Union Pacific
- Vermeer Corporation
