This event for intermediate to advanced-level campus tax professionals offers the latest information on issues and best practices in higher education tax compliance and administration. This forum serves as both an annual update and future outlook. Participants hear and engage in discussions on timely subjects impacting the college and university tax community.
NACUBO’s professional development programs are designed to deliver the skills, concepts, and best practices for success to individuals in the business of higher education. After participating in this program, you will be able to—
Demonstrate an understanding of guidance for managing tax compliance
Discuss tips gained from fellow campus tax professionals with peers on campus
Review how tax reporting requirements and regulations may impact your institution
Who Should Attend
Assistant Controllers
Chief Financial Officers
Controllers
Tax Managers
CPE
Estimated 13.5 CPE Credits
NACUBO is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website www.nasbaregistry.org.
Joel Levenson, assistant vice president for tax, payables and procurement, University of Central Florida
1:10 PM
Tax Update
1:10–2:10 pm CT
To kick off the program, this session will provide an overview of the last 12 months of tax legislation, rule changes and filing requirement updates through the lens of campus tax compliance.
Speakers
Jodi Kessler, Director of Tax and Global Operations, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Angie Leahy, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Controller, Washington University in St. Louis
Joel Levenson, assistant vice president for tax, Payables and Procurement, University of Central Florida
CPE Available
1 Credit in Taxes
2:10 PM
Refreshment Break
2:10–2:30 pm CT
2:30 PM
Washington Update
2:30–3:30 pm CT
Where do things stand for higher education almost one year away from the 2024 general election? How have judicial actions impacted the current administration’s agenda? What role has NACUBO played as a liaison with legislators and policymakers at the national level? Members of NACUBO’s Federal Affairs Team will offer observations and analysis of major legislative and regulatory changes and explore both challenges and opportunities ahead for colleges and universities.
Speakers
Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research, NACUBO
Ashley Jackson, director, government affairs, NACUBO
CPE Available
1 Credit in Specialized Knowledge
3:30 PM
Stretch Break
3:30–3:45 pm CT
3:45 PM
Remote Work: Best Policies and Practices
3:45–5 pm CT
This interactive session will take a deep dive into travel and business expense policies, navigate the definition of tax home within a remote work environment, and provide an overview of the accountable plan rules. The presenters will also take a case study approach to discuss best practice procedures and documentation.
Speakers
Frank Schimmel, tax analyst, Midwestern University
Athletics generates significant revenue for many institutions, but changes with athletic recruitment strategies due to "name, image and likeness" (NIL), recent tax changes, and an IRS focus on unrelated business income tax threaten to put a tax burden on that revenue. This panel will discuss how tax and finance can team together with athletics to combat that threat. Foundations, collectives, and other organizations operating in the NIL space will also be addressed. While larger institutions may have more challenges in these areas, all institutions with athletic departments across all divisions will identify areas of potential risk.
Speakers
Glenn Christofides, tax director, Rutgers University – The State University of New Jersey
Justin Lowe, principal - exempt organizations, Ernst & Young
CPE Available
1 Credit in Taxes
9:40 AM
Navigating the Employee Retention Credit
9:40–10:40 am CT
This session will provide an overview of the employee retention credit, including who qualifies, what wages are eligible, and example calculations. Panelists will also discuss current developments and concerns raised about contingency firms that have been approaching institutions with uncertain calculation methods.
Speakers
Joel Levenson, assistant vice president for tax, payables and procurement, University of Central Florida
Mike Engle, partner, Forvis
CPE Available
1 Credit in Taxes
11:00 AM
Arbitrage Rebate in a Rising Interest Rate Environment: Opportunities and Challenges
11 am–12 pm CT
With rising interest rates comes the potential for positive arbitrage. After more than 10 years of negative arbitrage, positive arbitrage is once again a reality. While there are certainly challenges in managing arbitrage rebate compliance in this environment, there are also opportunities for issuers and conduit borrowers to earn and potentially keep more or even all of their earnings on invested bond proceeds. This session will discuss the challenges and offer tips to maximize the retainable earnings in a positive arbitrage environment, with case studies and strategies presented by campus experts.
Speakers
Kirsten Muller, university tax director, University of Minnesota
Christopher Pings, senior manager for treasury accounting, University of Arizona
Sandra Stallings, chief operating officer and managing director, BLX Group LLC
Richard Chirls, partner, Orrick
CPE Available
1 Credit in Taxes
12:00 PM
Lunch
12–1:15 pm CT
1:15 PM
Clean Energy Tax Incentives for Colleges and Universities
1:15–2:30 pm CT
The Inflation Reduction Act (Act) extended and significantly enhanced existing energy tax credits for a wide range of clean energy technologies and added several new incentives for investing in energy efficient buildings. This session will provide an overview of these credits, the types of investments they incentivize, and how universities may best identify and operationalize these opportunities. Speakers will highlight the credits most commonly applicable to colleges and universities, such as geothermal and solar energy, EVs, battery-storage and Cogen property, and will explain eligibility and timing requirements. They will also share their perspective and experience navigating the credit process.
Speakers
Kimberly Ann Maxwell, tax coordinator, compliance and analysis, University of Illinois
Mike Wilson, assistant vice president, capital programs and utility services, University of Illinois
Devin Duncan, managing director, KPMG, LLP
Katherine Breaks, principal, KPMG, LLP
CPE Available
1.5 Credit in Taxes
2:30 PM
Refreshment Break
2:30–2:50 pm CT
2:50 PM
Employee Compensation: Make your Auditor (and Mom) Proud by Keeping a Clean House
2:50–3:50 pm CT
IRS examination activity is increasing with respect to employment taxes and compensation-related matters often present the most significant tax exposure for colleges and universities. Panelists will address areas typically addressed in IRS examinations including tax treatment of fringe benefits and accountable plan compliance, executive compensation matters including Section 4960 excise taxes, and issues specific to colleges and universities such as faculty buyouts. The discussion will also include tips and considerations in documentation to help your institution be prepared in the event of an IRS audit.
Speakers
Margot Burke, Director, University Tax & Payroll, Indiana University
Jeff Frank, Managing Director, Deloitte
CPE Available
1 Credit in Taxes
4:00 PM
Deciphering Student Payments
4–5:15 pm CT
There are many types of payments made to, or on behalf of students. Whether it is employment, internships, student assistantships, or research fellowships, deciphering the payment type and determining whether reporting and/or withholding is required can be complex and confusing. Panelists will provide technical context to these payments and share examples experienced over their careers serving higher education institutions.
Speakers
Louis Curcio, assistant vice president, global payroll and tax compliance, New York University
Anne Jetmundsen, tax advisor, University of South Florida
Melanie Herschkowitz, director of tax & compliance, Hofstra University
Daniel Romano, partner, National Tax Leader - Higher Education & Not-for-Profit Practice, Grant Thornton LLP
Complexities in Investment Compliance: Focusing on International and State Tax Issues
8:30–9:30 am CT
Today, many college and university endowment portfolios include both alternative investments and direct investments in foreign organizations. In addition to unrelated business income tax considerations, many other complex tax reporting issues may arise as a result of these foreign investments, including international and state tax issues and reporting obligations. This presentation will examine international tax reporting issues such as the direct/indirect foreign reporting obligations for foreign corporations and expanded tax reporting resulting from Schedules K-2 and K-3. Panelists will also discuss state-specific tax issues including partnership withholding and unrelated business taxable income reporting.
Speakers
Susan Clark, senior director of tax, Emory University
Johnathan Shaw, director of tax, Vanderbilt University
Joanne Krueger, director, PwC
Michael Hoffman, director, PwC
CPE Available
1 Credit in Taxes
9:45 AM
Refreshment and Hotel Check-out Break
9:45–10:15 am CT
10:15 AM
Tax Pong!
10:15–11:30 am CT
This highly interactive wrap-up session will offer discussion on a wide range of tax topics raised throughout the previous two days of the forum, including current IRS issues, remote work tax topics, fringe benefits, energy tax credits, student payments, and unrelated business income. Using a “pong” game format, presenters will cover topics selected by bouncing a ping pong ball into red solo cups that feature a tax topic, phrase, or Code section. Audience members will have the opportunity to contribute topics to be addressed.
Speakers
Jodi Kessler, director of tax and global operations, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Joel Levenson, assistant vice president for tax, payables and procurement, University of Central Florida
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago is located on the Magnificent Mile within walking distance of Oak Street Beach, luxury fashion at 900 North Michigan Shops, the breathtaking 360 Chicago Observation Deck, and all of Chicago's most famous attractions. The exhilarating excitement of Chicago is at this hotel's doorstep.
NACUBO's Group Rate for the 2023 Tax Forum: $269 single/double (plus applicable taxes)
The deadline to reserve a room at the NACUBO Group Rate: September 23, 2023
This meeting is your opportunity to reach tax professionals within college and university business offices who focus on IRS audits, tax management approaches, remote work issues, charitable gifts, executive compensation, treatment of fringe benefits, scholarships and fellowships, mitigating tax risks of international activities, bonds compliance, and athletics.