TEI’s 2026 Midyear Conference, held at the Grand Hyatt Washington in March, once again brought together a robust group of in-house tax professionals, along with an impressive lineup of speakers and exhibiting sponsors, for an immersive experience focused on the most pressing issues shaping today’s tax landscape.
This year’s conference featured a dynamic and forward-looking program with three days’ worth of expert-led plenary and concurrent sessions spanning key tax developments in federal, international, and state and local tax, along with tax technology, financial reporting, and legislative updates—including timely insights from government officials past and present. Sessions also explored tax leadership and professional development, emerging issues for tax executives, and cross-border considerations.
Key plenary discussions included a “Tax Policy & Midterm Election Preview,” offering insight into potential legislative and regulatory shifts, as well as an in-depth look at the “Evolving IRS Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities,” highlighting recent developments in tax administration, enforcement priorities, and what taxpayers can expect ahead.
A standout international session, “International Tax Transparency: The EU, Canada & Australia,” brought together a global panel to explore how leading jurisdictions are advancing transparency initiatives and what these evolving frameworks mean for multinational tax functions navigating an increasingly interconnected landscape. The CTO Lunch also provided a timely and practical discussion on taxpayer advocacy and communication featuring Erin M. Collins, national taxpayer advocate, on opportunities to further strengthen engagement and dialogue between taxpayers and the IRS.
New for 2026, TEI’s Tax Lab sessions energized the program with hands-on learning experiences focused on AI, automation, data visualization, and managed services—showcasing how emerging technologies are transforming modern tax departments. (See The Back Page for more.)
The conference also continued its tradition of strong networking and community-building. The TEI Grand Reception embraced a festive St. Patrick’s Day theme, with the room filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of green as attendees reconnected, celebrated a successful few days, and closed out the conference in style.
Throughout the event, attendees also engaged with peers, sponsors, and speakers during breaks, fostering meaningful professional connections. Special thanks to our sponsors who hosted events throughout the conference, kicking off on Sunday and continuing through Tuesday—featuring D.C. tours, on- and off-site receptions, networking breaks, and a multiday hospitality suite that kept the conference caffeinated! Overall, sponsor-hosted programming added meaningful value, fostering conversations and a strong sense of community among attendees.
We look forward to seeing everyone again at TEI’s Annual Conference in Nashville, October 18–21!
