What I Learned at the NC Bar Tax Conference: IRS Collection Changes That Small Businesses Shouldn’t Ignore
NCBA Tax Conference 2025 at Kiawah Island – IRS Enforcement Panel, IRS Tax Attorney (Naperville, IL)
In May 2025, I had the privilege of serving as a guest speaker at the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax Section Conference, held at the beautiful Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. I was on a two-person panel alongside the highly respected Attorney Beverly Winstead. Together, we spoke on a topic that’s becoming more important this year:
Recent Changes and Updates in IRS Collection Enforcement.
This wasn’t your typical tax conference. The NC Bar Association brought together lawyers and other tax professionals from across the region to talk strategy, law, and policy in one of the most stunning venues on the East Coast. Kiawah Island is known for its world-class golf, relaxing beachfront, and natural beauty. It didn’t disappoint, that’s for sure.
But while the location was a calm oasis, our message to attendees was clear: the IRS is anything but quiet right now.
What Made This Conference Special
The event had a strong purpose. The Bar Association did a great job promoting the conference and making space for real discussion. From formal panels to informal conversations over coffee or coastal walks, we all shared insights into how our small business clients are being affected by recent changes in federal tax collection efforts.
One interesting highlight was the active engagement from local attorneys and business tax professionals who wanted to understand how national IRS strategies were trickling down to the business owners they serve in North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond.
Conference Highlights from Kiawah Island, IRS Tax Attorney (Naperville, IL)
Key Takeaways from Our Panel
Our presentation, titled “Tools, Defenses, and Recent Developments in IRS Collections,” gave a big-picture view of where IRS enforcement is heading in 2025 and beyond. But we also offered real, practical advice for everyday taxpayers and their advisors. Here are just a few snippets that small business owners and accountants should pay attention to:
1. The IRS is doing more with less. The agency’s budget and staff have been slashed in recent years, but enforcement is still happening, just smarter. The IRS is now using AI and data analytics to decide who to audit or pursue. If your income numbers reported on your tax returns don’t match what third parties reported, expect to receive an IRS Notice.
2. Three scenarios for the future. We outlined three possible directions IRS enforcement could take under the current administration:
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A shrinking number of staffed audits, producing bigger gaps in tax collection.
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A shift toward high-dollar or high-risk targets (specifically, ERC abuse cases).
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A full-on technology upgrade that automates more audits and compliance checks.
3. Practical resolutions still work. We shared real-world strategies that are still effective today, including:
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Currently Not-Collectible status (CNC)
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Installment Agreements (even for partial payment)
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Offer in Compromise (OIC)
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Innocent Spouse Relief
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Bankruptcy planning for tax debts
We reminded the audience that businesses should still work closely with the accountant and tax attorney, always keep solid documentation and up-to-date financials, and proactively communicate with the IRS. These are still the best ways to stay ahead of – or completely avoid problems.
We dealt with a few myths too, like lost refunds, “pennies-on-the-dollar” settlement promises, and what information the IRS Revenue Officers can really access when enforcing collection.
Why Kiawah Island Was the Perfect Venue
Kiawah Island isn’t just pretty — it’s peaceful and designed for focus. There’s something (that beach!) about stepping away from everything that helps us all connect, reflect, and recharge. Whether over local seafood or oceanside walks (that beach!), good conversations happened everywhere. It was a smart move by the NC Bar to host their Tax Conference there at Kiawah.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps for Business Owners, IRS Tax Attorney (Naperville, IL)
Final Thoughts
As someone who helps small businesses resolve serious tax problems every day, I found this conference energized me. Yes, IRS enforcement is changing quickly, and business owners need advisors who understand what’s coming next. But it was great talking with other tax attorneys, to share (and learn) more of the big picture.
If you’re a small business owner or accountant worried about unpaid taxes, unfiled returns, or how these IRS changes affect you, now is the time to act, not wait. The rules may shift, but the IRS moves forward every day.