2025 Louisiana Tax Conference - Both Days - Webcast

Overview

THIS IS OUR LARGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR!

In addition to a great lineup, you'll get to experience the Ritz-Carlton all dressed up for the holidays, with one of the best lobby displays in New Orleans.

Join us for two days of networking, holiday cheer, and expert insights at the beautifully decorated Ritz-Carlton. Connect with top practitioners and award-winning speakers to get ready for the busy season ahead. Register today for a festive and informative experience! The conference agenda is planned by a committee of leading practitioners and features award-winning speakers from around the country.

AGENDA

Day 1 - December 11

8:00-8:30 - Registration, Breakfast, and Opening Remarks

8:30-10:10 
Individual Tax Update: One Big Beautiful Bill and More 
Gina Rachel, CPA • EisnerAmper • Metairie, LA 
Let’s prepare for tax season 2026. Yes, there is still time for year ending planning.?  
 
10:10-10:30 Break  
 
10:30-11:20  
What is happening in DC?  
Melanie Lauridsen • AICPA & CIMA • Washington, DC 
 
11:20-12:00  
State of the State 
Richard Nelson • Secretary, Louisiana Department of Revenue • Baton Rouge, LA 
 
12:00-1:00 Lunch 
 
1:00-1:50  
Current Interactions with the IRS  
Michael Villa, Jr., JD, LLM • Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch, Ungerman, LLP • Dallas, TX 
This session will review client advocacy in an era of evolving IRS enforcement in both criminal and civil IRS matters.? The IRS has publicly announced a shift in hiring needs and areas of enforcement priorities.? The presentation will focus on specific areas of IRS enforcement, such as efforts against alleged abusive trusts, tax credits, and specific audit and collection efforts.?  
 
 
1:50-2:50  
Self-Employment Taxes, Limited Partner Exception, Recent Cases, and Future Regulations 
Hale E. Sheppard, Esq. • Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry • Atlanta, GA 
Many partnerships are now under attack.? The IRS claims that they have incorrectly treated their owners as “limited partners,” thereby allowing them to escape self-employment taxes on their distributions.? Partnerships base their positions on a law enacted way back in 1977, which has never been updated.? The broad scope of the “limited partner” exception, governmental inaction over the next five decades, and the IRS’s recent Compliance Campaign have led to chaos.? This presentation chronicles the major events culminating in the current court disputes. 
 
2:50-3:10 Break  
 
3:10-4:00  
Expanded Opportunities to Accelerate Depreciation under OBBBA 
J. Curt Gautreau, CPA, CCSP • Cost Segregation Initiatives • Baton Rouge, LA 
Curt will discuss the permanent bonus deduction and the new 100% deduction for newly built manufacturing facilities.? He will also discuss how to determine the maximum bonus deduction for assets under purchases agreements on January 19, 2025 and ?self-constructed ?assets placed in service after passage of the bill.? ? 
 
 
4:00-4:50  
Estate and Gift Tax Update  
Raymond Ladouceur, JD, MBA, CPA • Ladouceur Law Firm, LLC - Raymond P. Ladouceur, CPA, LLC • Abita Springs, LA 
We will cover recent developments in estate and gift tax including those in the OBBBA. 
 
Day 2 - December 12

   
7:30-8:00 - Registration, Breakfast, and Opening Remarks

8:00-9:10  
Business Tax Update -Partnership  
Brandon Lagarde, CPA, JD, LLM • EisnerAmper • Baton Rouge, LA 
 
9:10-10:00  
S Corporation Update  
Anthony J. Nitti, CPA, MST • Ernst & Young LLP • Aspen, CO 
 
10:00-10:20 Break  
 
10:20-11:10  
Funny Numbers – Exploration of True Crimes of Louisiana Tax Preparers & their Clients 
Brooke Barnett-Bernal, JD • Partner – Long Law Firm, LLP • Baton Rouge, LA 
Sometimes a client’s suggestion or mistake can put the CPA between a rock and the IRS.? Sometimes it’s the CPA who puts the client there.? Brooke and Shannon will present some of the more memorable, recent cases in which CPAs have found themselves crossways with the law and tell you how they got there.?  

 
11:10-12:00  
AI for the Modern CPA: Navigating Risks and Harnessing Opportunities 
Justin Headley, CPA, CISSP, CISA, CRISC •?Warren Averett • Birmingham, AL 
Generative AI is rapidly transforming the landscape for financial professionals. This session provides a crucial update on current AI technologies, exploring how they can enhance efficiency and client services in tax, audit, and advisory. We will also establish a practical framework for managing the inherent risks—from data privacy to ethical considerations—ensuring you can innovate responsibly. 
 
12:00-1:00 Lunch  
 
1:00-2:00  
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Louisiana State and Local Tax, But Were Too Afraid To Ask 
Robert S. Angelico, CPA, JD • Liskow & Lewis, APLC • New Orleans, LA 
The presentation will cover all relevant current developments in Louisiana state and local taxation over the course of 2025, including tax legislation, caselaw developments, and regulatory and administrative items of significance.?? 
 
2:00-3:00  
Bird’s Eye View: National SALT Trends to Watch  
Jeff Birdsong, JD • Jones Walker • New Orleans, LA 
Whether you practice solely in Louisiana or provide advice on a multi-state basis, nationwide state and local tax developments will impact your practice. Stay ahead of the curve with this presentation on trends in multi-state taxation, including recent rulings, legislation, and regulatory action. 

 
3:00-3:30 Break/Prize Giveaways  
 
3:30-4:30  
Trusts, Wills and Estates: A Practical Guide for CPAs  
Carl Servat III, JD, LLM • Lukinovich, APLC • Metairie, LA 
This presentation will provide CPAs with a practical overview of key estate planning tools and strategies, including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Usufructs, and more. ?It will also address some post-mortem tax issues that may arise and some of the responsibilities of executors and trustees. ?Attendees will gain insights to better support clients through both lifetime planning and estate administration. 

Notice

SPONSOR THIS EVENT

Sponsorship is a great way to connect with CPA professionals and increase your visibility within the community. To learn more or recommend a sponsor, contract Diedra Allen at dallen@louisiana.cpa or click here for more information.