Tax Breaks Live: A Candid Conversation with Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel

Get ready for one of our most energizing Tax Breaks episodes yet—recorded live and unfiltered in front of a room full of state and local tax administrators!Join FTA's Executive Director Sharonne Bonardi and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick as they sit down with former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel at the 2025 FTA Compliance Workshop for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of tax administration and where it is headed next.From the big-picture challenges facing tax agencies to the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence, this episode dives into the opportunities, risks, and transformations reshaping the future of tax. Sharonne guides the discussion through national trends and opportunities for evolving federal–state partnerships, while Ryan brings questions about the rapidly developing world of AI—what’s real, what’s hype, and what agencies should be doing right now to prepare.Tune in for a rare, dynamic conversation with one of the nation’s most respected tax leaders, with candid insights and practical takeaways on leadership, technology, trust, and the future of service delivery.If you’re working in tax administration—or curious about how innovation is changing the way government serves the public—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Tax agencies hold an abundance of data but are they using it to its full potential? In this latest episode of the Tax Breaks Podcast, FTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick and Comptroller of Maryland Chief Deputy Comptroller Andy Schaufele dive into this critical question, exploring the importance for tax administrators to define their approach to data, performance measurement, and accountability.From the fundamentals of what data agencies rely on today, to the pitfalls of chasing vanity metrics and the role of AI and advanced analytics in shaping the next generation of tax systems, this conversation covers it all.Don't miss key insights about:How agencies balance taxpayer privacy with actionable insights.Why the right KPIs can drive real improvements in compliance and operations.The challenges of measuring what matters in a government setting.Where innovation and data sharing are taking tax administration next. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building smarter, fairer, and more effective tax systems.

This live recording of the Tax Breaks podcast brings together a panel of forward-thinking leaders for an examination of technologies set to redefine tax administration. From generative AI and intelligent automation to real-time data pipelines and secure cloud ecosystems, Ryan Minnick hosts a trio of tax technology's top leaders as they share the breakthroughs they’re piloting today and the bets they’re making for tomorrow. This is a candid conversation filled with insights you can take back to your agency to stay ahead of the curve.

Chiquita Hills with the Virginia Department of Taxation and Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s Kyle Duerstein are veterans within tax administration collections, leading these vital programs within their respective states. They joined FTA's Director of Compliance and Regional Sections Charlie Helms for this enlightening conversation about collections, with all the challenges and rewards that come from this critically necessary process for delivering the essential funds that keep our nation running.

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman gives a sneak peek into a learning session she's leading at FTA's Annual Meeting in Chicago on boosting earned income tax credit (EITC) uptake in Maryland through data, outreach, and innovation. Lierman discusses a new research partnership the Comptroller of Maryland has with the Urban Institute, aimed at increasing EITC claims through targeted data analysis, community engagement, and taxpayer education.

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman gives a sneak peek into a learning session is leading at FTA's Annual Meeting in Chicago on boosting earned income tax credit (EITC) uptake in Maryland through data, outreach, and innovation. Lierman discusses a new research partnership the Comptroller of Maryland has with the Urban Institute, aimed at increasing EITC claims through targeted data analysis, community engagement, and taxpayer education.

In this episode, we sit down with Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman to discuss insights from a new research partnership with the Urban Institute aimed at increasing earned income tax credit claims through targeted data analysis, community engagement, and taxpayer education.

This episode of Tax Breaks published just off the heels of Women’s History Month with FTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick catching up with recently retired Multistate Tax Commission General Counsel Nancy Prosser.Prosser looks back with gratitude on her esteemed tax career, strongly rooted in her time with the Texas Office of Attorney General and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts where she set out on a path few women had traveled at that time while working her way up to serve as general counsel before coming to her position as MTC general counsel. She proudly shares accomplishments and challenges had along the way as she deftly pieced together an understanding and interpretation of the often-complex world of tax law. Being a role model now to so many attorneys in tax to include many female attorneys, Prosser points to moving up in her career and the importance of seeing and learning from women in leadership positions and the value of finding that familiarity. She stresses the importance of professional networking and shares ideas for building relationships with others in the SALT world.It’s a refreshing conversation that celebrates Prosser’s career and the privilege she feels having had the honor of knowing and working with so many amazing people along her journey.This is a celebration of her journey. Please enjoy this episode of FTA Tax Breaks with Nancy Prosser.

Leadership & Talent Development Consultant and generations expert Kitty Kollmeyer takes us on a trip through the ages to better understand our multigenerational workforce and how we can all work better together.

In this episode of FTA Tax Breaks, we talk with Marina Sallas with the Missouri Department of Revenue and Lauren Smith with the South Carolina Department of Revenue about the intersection or kindness and employee engagement and its impact on tax administration. Both of their organizations are known and have been recognized for promoting kindness through appreciation, engagement, and good wellness strategies focused on physical, emotional, and financial health. Missouri and South Carolina, like so many top-ranked employers, place a central emphasis on the benefits of a healthy workplace and its positive effects on employee morale and retention. This is a must listen for anyone interested in learning about the details that go into building a positive organizational culture built with the good health and wellbeing of their employees at its core.