Seminars announced for the 2026 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum

Tax professionals can choose from the seminars and workshops offered over the three days of the Tax Forum and earn continuing education credits in the areas that interest them most. The Tax Forum offers courses in Federal Tax Law, Tax Law Updates, and Ethics.

The Tax Forum’s expert-led seminars, workshops, special events, and networking opportunities are tailored to the needs of tax professionals at all levels of expertise, ensuring each attendee has access to the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their career.

The Office of Professional Responsibility will be presenting the following seminars at this year’s Tax Forum:

Beyond the Basics: Circular 230, Due Diligence, and Managing Professional Risk (E)

Designed for seasoned professionals who want to expand their understanding of Circular 230 compliance, this advanced session takes a deep dive into the concept of due diligence and its critical role in tax practice. Attendees will learn how due diligence applies under Circular 230 and why it is essential for maintaining compliance with the rules of practice and professional integrity. The session will include practical scenarios drawn from real-world tax practice and thought-provoking hypotheticals to illustrate when diligence is required, explaining how this obligation helps prevent errors and ethical violations. Attendees will also explore common pitfalls that lead to disciplinary action and gain actionable strategies for meeting diligence standards in everyday practice. By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• explain what due diligence means under Circular 230 and why it matters in tax practice;
• identify situations where due diligence is required, such as preparing tax returns, giving taxpayers written advice, and representing clients before the IRS;
• apply Circular 230 rules to practical examples and hypothetical scenarios to ensure due-diligence compliance;
• recognize common mistakes that lead to potential disciplinary action and learn how to prevent them; and
• implement practical steps and internal procedures to maintain diligence and professional standards in everyday work.

 

Your License to Practice: Circular 230 and the Role of the Office of Professional Responsibility (E)

This introductory session provides tax professionals with a clear understanding of Treasury Circular 230 and the role of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in enforcing ethical and professional standards. Ideal for those new to Circular 230 or seeking a refresher, the session explains who qualifies as a practitioner, the OPR’s oversight responsibilities and the expectations practitioners must meet when representing clients before the IRS. The session highlights obligations related to due diligence, competence, conflicts of interest, unreasonable delay and personal tax compliance, providing practical guidance to maintain professionalism and a commitment to the rules of practice throughout each stage of client representation. By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• define the role, authority and oversight responsibilities of the OPR;
• identify who qualifies as a practitioner under Circular 230;
• recognize practitioners’ legal responsibilities, whether statutory or regulatory;
• apply Circular 230 standards to common ethical and professional scenarios; and
• evaluate how ethical obligations apply throughout all stages of client representation before the IRS.