Monday, December 13, 2021

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
JOIN ONLINE

8:30 – 8:35 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction – Welcome by Section Chair
– Kathleen E. (Splett) Pfutzenreuter               

8:35 – 9:35 a.m.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The State of State Taxation in 2021
How does the structure of Minnesota’s tax system compare to other states? What role does each tax type play to fund our government? What tax and fiscal policy considerations arise in light of demographic, economic, and political trends and developments? In answering these and other probing questions, Mark Haveman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence, will provide insightful observations about our state tax system and discuss the opportunities and challenges our revenue system faces now and will face in the future.
– Mark Haveman 

9:35 – 10:20 a.m.
Fireside Chat with the Minnesota Department of Revenue
Kathleen E. (Splett) Pfutzenreuter sits down with leaders from the Minnesota Department of Revenue to discuss current tax issues and trends. The panel will feature a question-and-answer style format that will cover topics ranging from virtual/remote work, training, filings, tax equity commitments, implementation of new tax law, and more.
– Sarah Bronson, Tracy Fischman, Terese Mitchell & Justin Nieman
– Kathleen E. (Splett) Pfutzenreuter (moderator)

10:20 – 10:30 a.m.
BREAK

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Important Developments in Individual Taxation
This session will focus on important developments over the last year in individual taxation, including key legislative changes, cases, rulings and other recent developments of interest to practitioners and taxpayers alike.
– Thomas McCarr 

11:30 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
LUNCH PRESENTATION
Racism and Economic Inclusion
Racial disparities in economic outcomes, driven in many instances by public policy, are a stark reminder of our failure to achieve an inclusive and robust economy. The Federal Reserve has paid special attention to these disparities in a multi-year conference series, and the Minneapolis Fed has analyzed them for the state of Minnesota, with the aim of promoting an informed conversation about policy solutions. Hear from Alene Tchourumoff from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve who will share some of the analysis and policy solutions that can make a difference.
– Alene Tchourumoff

12:40 – 1:40 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

101
How COVID Has Shaped US Tax Policy
This session will discuss the major implications of COVID-19 on federal tax policy from recent legislation to tax filings and more. In addition, learn about potential changes for next year.
– Magnolia M. Movido & Andrew G. Seifert

102
Ethics and the Brain – The Neuroscience of Sleep, Well-Being, and Ethics
1.0 ethics credit applied for
The National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being has stated that the duty of competence as articulated in MRPC Rule 1.1. “[i]ncludes lawyers’ ability to make healthy, positive work/life choices to assure not only a quality of life, but also to help them make responsible decisions for their clients. It includes maintaining their own long term wellbeing.” Indeed, lawyer disciplinary matters frequently involve a disability-related mental health condition. This program applies the cutting-edge work in the field of neuroscience to lawyer well-being and ethical behavior.
– Joan Bibelhausen & Robin M. Wolpert

1:40 – 1:55 p.m.
BREAK

1:55 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B

201
The Interplay of Civil and Criminal Tax Law Investigations
This session will explore the interplay between civil and criminal tax investigations and how these investigations interconnect. The session will include practical advice on strategies and timing of actions that will impact the civil and criminal proceedings.
– Thomas B. Brever, James Gempeler & Jim Shoup 

202
Understanding State and Local Tax (SALT) in Mergers & Acquisitions
This session will provide an overview of state and local taxes that are relevant for your tax and business clients in the merger and acquisitions context.
– Alicia Miller Buchel & Kyle M. Brehm

203
15 Things That Can Trip Up Tax-Exempt Organizations   
This session is intended to provide an overview of common areas tax-exempt organizations misstep for lawyers who may not work broadly with nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. Attention will be paid to not only the state and federal tax issues, but also other state and federal regulatory issues that commonly arise.
– Emmett Robertson

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
BREAK

3:00 – 3:50 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C

301
Post TCJA SALT Passthrough Entity Level Taxes
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) created a $10,000 cap on individual deductions for aggregate state and local income and property taxes. Connecticut was the first state to implement a passthrough entity level tax in response to TCJA (aka “SALT cap workaround”) and many states, including Minnesota, have followed suit with a similar regime of their own. We will discuss the basics and nuances of various SALT passthrough entity level taxes.
– Miriam A. Sahouani & Aaron Shafer

302
Updates in Real Estate Tax-Deferral Strategies
This session will discuss the latest updates and developments pertinent to the two most commonly encountered tax-deferral strategies pursued by real estate owners and investors:  (i) IRC §1031 Like-kind Exchanges; versus, (ii) IRC §1400Z-2 Qualified Opportunity Zones.  Understanding the key income tax implications, the potential traps for the unwary, and the critical importance of proper planning, will help you better serve your clients engaging in real estate acquisitions and dispositions.
– Brian Duren & James C. Witt

303
Department of Justice Collections Issues
The Department of Justice represents the IRS in a variety of collection-related matters. This presentation will include insight from a former DOJ attorney and cover DOJ-related collection matters, including mortgage foreclosure actions and seizure of personal and business property.
– Kathleen E. (Splett) Pfutzenreuter & Benjamin A. Wagner

3:50 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAK

4:00 – 4:50 p.m.
Current and Future Issues Influencing the Tax Profession
We’ve all seen it and experienced it. Bright, energized, tax talent that leaves the profession or at least our organizations before their time. Why is this happening? What factors seem to be at work here? What do these cohorts really want in a tax career? Are they getting the training they expect – and need? What can we, current tax professionals and leaders, do about all this? These and many related matters will be discussed in this interactive session among the panelists and, we sincerely hope, directly with input from and dialogue with the audience.
– Gina DeConcini, Christina L. Cook, Michael O’Brien & Kenneth S. Levinson

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
JOIN ONLINE

8:30 – 8:35 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction

8:35 – 9:50 a.m.
Minnesota Tax Law Update
This session will discuss recent Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota Tax Court income tax and sales tax decisions (as well as an overview of some important cases that currently are pending in the courts). The presenters will also provide an update on recent Minnesota DOR Revenue Notices, procedural audit and appeals changes by the Department, and any relevant legislative developments.
– Sean Iske & Christopher Martin

9:50 – 10:05 a.m.
BREAK

10:05 – 11:20 a.m.
Federal Business Tax Update
A summary of the past year’s statutory, regulatory, and judicial business tax developments.
– Daniel Greenhagen 

11:20 – 11:35 a.m.
BREAK

11:35 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Residency/Remote Workers: Tax Updates on Residency and Considerations with Remote Workers
COVID-19 has precipitated the rise of remote workers and telecommuters, and in some cases, employees are working from across state lines. Understand the tax implications for your organization revolving around remote workers and the important residency implications that may arise for your employees.
– Masha M. Yevzelman & Gina B. DeConcini

12:35 – 12:50 p.m.
BREAK

12:50 – 1:50 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION D

401
Elimination of Bias – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 101: What You Need to Know and Where to Start
1.0 elimination of bias credit applied for
You would be hard pressed now to find a company that doesn’t have some combination of the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) somewhere in their mission, values, strategic plan or in a job title. Historical inequities, driven by recent social advocacy and a call for accountability, has put DEI as a priority in the workplace, recognizing that doing so increases retention, productivity, employer/client satisfaction, etc. But what do these concepts mean for an individual? Where do they fit within your practice? Where do you start? Erikka Ryan, Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Foundations at the Minnesota State Bar Association, will be discussing DEI foundational terminology, recent trends, and best practices/action steps you can immediately apply to your spaces. Participants will also be challenged to identify how inequities and bias may show up in their practice and their role in addressing them.
– Erikka Ryan 

402
Important Tax Issues for Small Businesses: License Revocation, Personal Assessments, Succession Planning, and More!
This session will cover a variety of topics of interest to small businesses, including circumstances in which a business’s sales tax and other licenses may be revoked, circumstances in which business owners and employees may be assessed personally for the business’s tax liabilities, and succession planning utilizing an ESOP or an Employee Ownership Trust.
– Kathleen E. (Splett) Pfutzenreuter, W. James Vogl & Sara Westly

LIVE IN-PERSON  IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Monday & Tuesday, December 13 & 14, 2021
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

LIVE SIMULCAST
Monday & Tuesday, December 13 & 14, 2021
Attend online

$345 MSBA members / $345 paralegals / $395 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
  
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 11.50 CLE credits, including 1.0 elimination of bias credit for session #401 and 1.0 ethics credit for session #102. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 11.50 credits.