2026 New England State and Local Tax Forum
About this Event
The New England State and Local Tax Forum is a one-day conference designed to provide an annual update on significant state and local tax developments from across the nation with a particular focus on New England. Designed for the State and Local Tax professionals from industry, private practice and the public sector. The Forum addresses both technical and policy issues to help practitioners comply with changes in the law as well as anticipate evolving issues that will impact the State and Local Tax field for years to come.
Agenda
🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:00 AM
Registration/Continental Breakfast
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:10 AM
Opening Remarks & Scholarship Presentation
Host: Jennifer Whalley
🕑: 08:10 AM - 09:10 AM
National SALT Update
Host: Marilyn Wethekam (Moderator)
Info: Join Richard Pomp and the FTA’s Brian Oliner as they recap the nation’s top state tax cases, policy developments and controversies over the last year with an informative and engaging presentation designed to keep attendees current on nationwide trends and controversies and create a framework to approach emerging issues with insight. The session will be moderated by COST’s Marilyn Wethekam.
🕑: 09:10 AM - 10:15 AM
New England Revenue Authority Panel
Host: Doug Lindholm (Moderator)
Info: Join Doug Lindholm as he leads this year’s engaging discussion with a panel of representatives from each of the six New England state revenue agencies regarding top tax administration and policy issues for practitioners and industry.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Sponsored Break
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
OBBA Aftershocks: States Response and New State Tax Landscape
Host: Jess Morgan
Info: This plenary session will examine how states have responded to OB3 in the past year. We will break down key developments and some of the unexpected ripple effects they have created. You will walk away from this session with a better understanding of the state income tax provisions creating the most impact and opportunities.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Automation and AI - A Strategic Vision for Tax
Host: Steve LaRosa
Info: This session explores how automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the tax function, from compliance efficiency to strategic decision‑making. Speakers will discuss practical use cases, governance considerations, and how tax leaders can position their organizations to responsibly leverage emerging technologies.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:25 PM
LUNCH
🕑: 01:25 PM - 02:30 PM
TRACK A: The OBBA Playbook: Putting the Technical into Action
Host: Dan DeJong
Info: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) may change the federal baseline, but state conformity (and nonconformity) will drive the real-world complexity. This practical session focuses on how to identify state-specific decoupling from Internal Revenue Code changes triggered by the OBBBA, translate those differences into concrete technical positions, and actually compute the resulting state modifications, apportionment impacts, and effective tax rate/provision consequences. Come hear real world perspectives from practitioners and industry professionals.
🕑: 01:25 PM - 02:30 PM
TRACK B: What's New in Sales & Use Tax: Industry Updates and Emerging Issues
Host: Clark Calhoun
Info: This session provides a concise overview of recent sales and use tax developments impacting businesses across industries. We will highlight key legislative, administrative, and audit trends, including changes in taxability and enforcement, and discuss how states are responding to evolving business models and industry activity. Attendees will gain practical insights into current risk areas and considerations for managing compliance in an increasingly complex indirect tax environment.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:40 PM
TRACK A: Hot Topics in Apportionment
Host: Nicole Johnson
Info: This session highlights the apportionment developments most affecting multistate businesses and will cover the hottest apportionment issues, including the latest developments in market‑based sourcing, the opportunities and risks of pursuing or responding to alternative apportionment claims and the increasing focus on sourcing gains from the sale of pass‑through interests and other intangible assets. Additionally, this session will review the growing controversy around look-through sourcing and its increasing relevance in complex structures
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:40 PM
TRACK B: Navigating the Storm: Practical Strategies for State Income Tax Audit
Host: Jonathan Hale
Info: This session brings together a unique "triad" of perspectives—the Big 4 consultant, the tax controversy attorney, and the regulatory authority (CT DRS)—to provide a roadmap for managing corporate income tax audits without losing momentum or sanity. Instead of theoretical tax law, we focus on the mechanics of the audit: how to handle green auditors, manage the paper trail, and keep the process from stalling.
🕑: 03:40 PM - 04:00 PM
Sponsored Break
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
New England SALT Update
Host: Leonore Heavey (Moderator)
Info: Join Moderator Leonore Heavey as she leads our New England local experts in a session that will focus on significant tax policy issues in the northeast states, discuss the northeast state’s legislative initiatives over the last 12 months and what to anticipate in the upcoming legislative sessions.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Networking Reception
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 423.00 to USD 495.00
