In this episode of the Tax Section Odyssey podcast, April Walker is joined by former IRS Communications Chief Terry Lemons, Public Relations Director — Frost Law, and Kelly Phillips Erb (Taxgirl), Senior Writer — Forbes, about what tax professionals should understand about the IRS, the media and today's fast-moving tax information environment. Their conversation explores IRS complexity, why tax stories matter, how misinformation spreads, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media and why practitioners remain essential trusted guides for taxpayers.

Questions answered in this episode:

• What do IRS employees wish tax practitioners better understood about the agency
• What makes a tax story newsworthy from a media perspective?
• How can practitioners help clients sort through tax myths and misinformation?
• What role are AI and social media playing in spreading — and correcting — tax information?
• Why are tax professionals especially important in today's complex and noisy tax environment?

AICPA resources

IRS Practice & Procedures

Contacting the IRS FAQs

Best Practices for Written Communication with the IRS | Webcasts | AICPA & CIMA

Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices.

This resource is part of the robust tax resource library available from the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section is your go-to home base for staying up to date on the latest tax developments and providing the edge you need for upskilling your professional development. If you're not already a member, consider joining this prestigious community of your tax peers. You'll get free CPE, access to rich technical content such as our Annual Tax Compliance Kit, a weekly member newsletter and a digital subscription to The Tax Adviser.