Lead Sponsor
Sponsors
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– Bonnie Boggs, Sierra Telephone
“I attend this program every year. There are always knowledgeable people with great information.”
–Rasheda Murphy, Powernet Global Communications
“After attending last year’s conference, I came away with information from one of the sessions which prompted a refund totaling over $4.2M”
– John Figueirdo, Verizon Wireless
“… exceeded my expectations. It seems to be becoming more informative and relevant
to our job functions in this increasingly difficult time of doing more with less”
– John Dolan, Verizon
“Excellent content – well worth the time”
– John Boyles, Comcast
“Very valuable information. Great speakers. Excellent networking!”
– Amy Karpf, Cavalier Telephone
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--Bill Thiemann, Centennial Communications
“Very good, very focused discussion.”
--Jay Goodrich, Verizon Wireless
“So much to learn! The materials and speakers were very well organized.”
-- Amy Karpf, Talk America
“The most comprehensive telecom taxation conference available today.”
-- Joe Hartman, Radianz Americas
“A must attend conference for anyone in the telco tax world.”
-- Norene Hartug, Frontier Communications
“Excellent content yet again. Well worth the time.”
-- John Boyles, Comcast
“This is a must attend for anyone in the field of telecommunications taxation.”
-- Terri Westover, Frontier Communications
“This is the number one conference to identify best practices in the telecom tax world.”
-- Roy Drukker, Fairpoint
Communications Taxation 2026
May 6-8-- San Diego, CA
Mark your calendars! Tax 2026 is heading to San Diego for 2026.
2026 workshops are posted below. (They are excellent.)
Draft agenda below. Still have a few more talks to post.
About Communications Taxation
For 27 years, Communications Taxation has brought together the nation's top tax professionals to address the challenging and complex domain of telecommunications taxation, regulatory compliance and fees.
Who attends: The program attracts between 300 and 400 tax professionals from all sectors of the communications and technology industry -- including wireline, mobile, cable, Internet, VoIP, enterprise services as well as cloud, social media and content providers. See the list of last year's attending companies below.
Why you should attend: Whether you are new to communications taxes and regulatory compliance, or an industry veteran, the experts at Communications Taxation will show you how to lower your tax bill, improve compliance, streamline tax operations, pro actively prepare for audits, better defend your company's audit position, leverage case studies/precedent to lower liabilities, manage digital/cloud/content offerings, prepare for "what's next" and -- most importantly -- network with your industry peers to learn and share experiences.
Questions about the Program? Interested in exhibiting / sponsoring? Have feedback from prior years? Please feel free to contact me!
Sincerely,
Dr. Matthew Lucas, Program Chair
[email protected]
Communications Taxation 2026 Program Schedule
| Wednesday - May 6, 2026 (Pre-Conference Tutorial and Workshops) | ||
| 8:30AM - 12:30 PM | Pre-conference Tutorial: Understanding Telecom Taxation Presented by Deloitte |
|
| 1PM - 4:30 PM | Pre-conference Workshops: |
|
| 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Conference Reception Party -- Sea World, San Diego | |
| Thursday - May 7, 2026 (Conference Day 1) | ||
| 7:15 AM | Registration and Exhibits Open, Breakfast | |
| 8:00AM - 12 noon | Conference Keynotes and Morning Panels | |
| 12 noon | Sponsored Lunch | |
| 1:15 - 4:45 | Conference Sessions (panels, breakouts) | |
| 4:45PM | Cocktail Reception | |
| Friday - May 8, 2026 (Conference Day 2) | ||
| 7:15 AM | Registration and Exhibits Open, Breakfast | |
| 8:00AM - 12 PM | Conference Sessions (panels, breakouts) | |
| 12 noon (sharp) | Conference Concludes - safe travels home | |
Communications Taxation 2026
Pre-conference Tutorial and Workshops
Wednesday May 6, 2026
"Understanding Communications Taxation" Tutorial
Led by Deloitte
8:30AM - 12:30PM - Wednesday May 6
"Understanding Communications Taxation" Pre-Conference Tutorial -- Led by Deloitte
This is an absolute must for people new to the communications industry, emerging services space, the surrounding converging sectors or even those feel they might want a refresher of Communications Tax 101+
Click here for a detailed agenda and description
Challenges in USF Reporting
Led by Nelson Mullins
1:00PM - 4:30PM - Wednesday May 6
"Challenges in USF Reporting" Workshop -- Including an Update on USF Reform Efforts at the FCC and in Congress
This workshop is for both experienced telecommunications tax personnel involved with USF regulatory compliance activities, as well as new entrants that offer telecom services as part of their overall service package and are new to regulatory compliance requirements
Click here for a detailed agenda and description
Agentic AI – Hands-on Session Building AI Agents
Led by E&Y
1:00PM - 4:30PM - Wednesday May 6
"Hands-on Data Transformation, Analytics & Agentic AI"
Spend time learning how to use readily available AI agents to digest data and build meaningful summaries including write up, extracting information, and summarizing data.
Click here for a detailed agenda and description
Compliance Workshop
Led by KPMG
1:00PM - 4:30PM - Wednesday May 6
"Telecommunications Tax Compliance"
This workshop provides a focused overview of the key challenges in preparing and reconciling telecommunications tax compliance data
Click here for a detailed agenda and description
Communications Taxation 2026
(2026 agenda first draft)
Welcome to Communications Taxation 2026
& Opening Remarks
The Future of Telecom: AI-Optimized Services
Dr. Matthew Lucas -- TeleStrategies, Conference Chair
Keynote Address
PwC Industry Keynote - Details to be announced
Arti Deliaj – Partner, PWC
Invited industry analysts and guests
Conference Sessions
State Tax Litigation Update
This session will provide an update on key litigation and controversies involving the taxation of telecommunications services, including the application of telecommunications taxes to hardware and software, court interpretations of the limitations of the Internet Tax Freedom Act and the unbundling of taxable and nontaxable products and services.
Eric Tresh – Eversheds Sutherland
Liz Cha – Eversheds Sutherland
SALT Communications Industry Tax Considerations in 2026
What questions are communications industry tax professionals spending most of their time reviewing today? Is the biggest issue determining whether services are taxable? New and evolving services can create challenges. Does the taxability analysis include reviews of or reliance on federal legislation like the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) or Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act (MTSA)? The internet access definition and non-discrimination of electronic commerce provisions of the ITFA, and the sourcing and hold harmless rules of the MTSA are often considered as service taxability is reviewed. How about tracking new or proposed taxes that would impact the company or the company’s customers? Planning whether a company can implement a proposed or enacted tax or what the financial impact of that tax might be on the company or consumer may need to begin before the legislation imposing the tax is actually passed or soon after. We will discuss these topics and other state and local tax questions industry tax professionals are currently focused on.
Jeremy Blocher – Partner, KPMG
John Vann – Director, KPMG
Invited Industry Participants
Beyond the Buzz: Real-World AI Use Cases for Telecom Tax
AI is transforming telecom at lightning speed—but what does that mean for tax? In this session, we’ll move beyond the buzzwords and dive into real-world AI use cases that are reshaping telecom tax functions today. From automating transaction tax determinations and improving exemption management to enhancing audit defense and forecasting risk, we’ll explore how AI can drive efficiency without sacrificing accuracy or compliance. Expect practical examples, lessons learned, and a clear-eyed discussion of where AI adds real value—and where human judgment is still essential.
Nausher Hoodbhoy - Partner, PwC
Justin Harrison - Senior Manager, PwC
Old and New Frontiers: Gross Receipts Taxes, New Taxes/Fees and Legislative Trends
Gross receipts taxes are making a dangerous come-back at the state level. Additionally, states and local governments are considering/enacting new taxes and fees applicable to the communications industry (think 988 fees, Colorado delivery fees, digital ad/data taxes, etc.). This session will include a discussion of the complexities associated with the proper application of those taxes and highlight related issues and controversies
Maria Todorova – Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Chelsea Marmor – Counsel, Eversheds Sutherland
Behind the Curtain: What It Really Takes to Deliver a Tax & Billing Project
Tax and billing projects are anything but spreadsheets and statutes. They’re part strategy session, part obstacle course—complete with funding debates, technical curveballs, and deadline-driven trade-offs. From winning stakeholder buy-in to navigating last-minute scope changes, tax teams are constantly balancing compliance, technology, and business realities. Join us for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into a successful tax and billing transformation—from kickoff to go-live, and everything that almost went wrong in between.
Liz Bopp - Managing Director, PwC
Nicholas Carey - Senior Manager, PwC
Automation to AI-Ready: Preparing Your Data and Systems for the Next Age of Tax and Regulatory Compliance
The conversation around AI in tax and regulatory compliance is accelerating—but for most organizations, the gap between interest and implementation is wider than it appears. Having the latest AI tools doesn’t matter if the data feeding them is unreliable, fragmented, or poorly structured. This session takes a practitioner’s lens to the challenge. Drawing on hands-on experience building and managing automation platforms in the telecom tax space, we’ll walk through what it actually takes to prepare an organization’s data, systems, and processes for AI adoption—whether those capabilities are built in-house or outsourced to a trusted partner. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for assessing their own AI readiness, an understanding of the most common pitfalls that derail AI initiatives before they start, and a practical comparison of the AI tools and approaches currently available in the market.
Scotty R Amos - Partner, State & Local Tax Eisner Advisory Group LLC
Invited speakers to be confirmed
Key Legislative Updates in the Digital & Social Media Tax Age
As states and local jurisdictions continue to expand transaction taxes to digital, data, and social media‑related services, companies face increasing complexity and uncertainty. This session will explore recent legislative and administrative developments, including Chicago’s social media amusement tax and similar initiatives in Maryland and Washington. Speakers will compare how these jurisdictions are approaching taxation of digital and data‑driven services, discuss compliance and operational challenges, and share how companies are responding to rapidly evolving tax policy.
Rachel Quintana – Managing Director, EY
Darcy Kookier – Managing Director, EY
Industry Specialist to be confirmed
Revolutionizing Tax Compliance and Reporting -- How Technology is Shaping the Future of Taxation
The landscape of tax departments is rapidly changing. More and more companies are shifting to tax technology in order to streamline their departments as well as cut there processing times. This session will discuss how tax technology is evolving and how it is the future of all tax groups.
Kiran Seshagiri – SAP Practice Leader, Vertex Inc.
Frank Giovannone – Senior Manager, PWC
Indirect Tax Controversy in a Digital World
This panel will discuss how technology is impacting state and local tax audits, including positions state and local taxing jurisdictions are taking as a basis to issue tax or fee assessments or deny tax refund claims filed by Communications and Technology companies. Understanding the instances where jurisdictions are attempting to narrow exemptions and/or otherwise expand the tax base will help prepare you to defend your company’s taxing methodology and reduce your company’s risk of tax exposure.
Audra Mitchell – Sr. Managing Director, KPMG
Mario Manniello – SALT WNT, KPMG
Invited Industry Participants
Preparing for the Next Wave of Telecom Indirect Tax Audits— and Why Your Tax Engine Is Now an Audit Critical Control
Tax authorities are intensifying indirect tax audits in the telecom sector using transaction level data, real time reporting, and advanced analytics. As offerings grow more complex, many organizations find legacy tax engines cannot support defensible compliance. This session explores today’s most common system driven audit triggers, how auditors evaluate tax calculation logic, and why a modern, well governed tax engine is now a critical audit risk control—not just an IT upgrade.
Larry Mellon – Senior Director Global Tax, Vertex
Bridging the Gap: Aligning Classification, Compliance & Customer Experience
Today’s cloud communications landscape blurs the lines between SaaS, information services, and telecommunications services - creating both tax and regulatory uncertainty. Determining whether your solution is regulated or taxable requires a deep understanding of what it does, how it operates, and whether it replaces traditional telecom functions, touches the PSTN, or involves call routing. At the same time, your compliance practices directly impact customer trust. Inaccurate or opaque telecom taxes and fees can lead to disputes, margin erosion, and customer churn. This session unpacks the complexities of classifying your service, ensuring compliance on all fronts, and designing billing and compliance processes that enhance transparency, accuracy, and the overall customer experience.
Robert Dumas – TaxConnex
What to Expect from the FCC in 2026 and Beyond – Ranging from Less to More Regulatory Burden (two-part session)
Session 1:
Sweeping changes in the Federal government over the past year have been dizzying. It is important to keep up, or providers may face costly surprises. This session provides both an overview of the FCC’s evolving voice and broadband agenda in 2026 and beyond, as the FCC operates in an increasingly deregulatory policy environment but remains steadfast on some legacy requirements. Attendees will hear an update on the status of major proceedings and compliance obligations.
The session will also highlight new requirements, guidance, and enforcement trends that carriers and service providers must still navigate. Robocall and robotext enforcement, voice and broadband developments, and other initiatives that directly affect revenues, compliance costs, and customer experience will be discussed. Historical context will be touched upon to explain how today’s policies emerged—and what that history suggests about where regulation is likely headed next. All of this in more will be covered in Part 1 of this session.
Session 2:
Part 2 will continue the Part 1 FCC update and provide an overview of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and related court challenges. In 2025, the USF received a break from the Supreme Court by not declaring it unconstitutional, but court challenges continue. This session will also provide predictions about the future of the program.
Phil Macres Esq. – Principle, Klein Law Group
Mark Lammert CPA – CEO, Compliance Solutions Inc.
Indirect Tax Planning: Tips and Tricks for Identifying and Implementing Transaction Tax Opportunities
Designed as a practical introduction to indirect tax planning, this session will walk participants through identifying and implementing opportunities within sales and use tax functions. The discussion will focus on optimizing operating models, improving compliance, and managing risk in an increasingly complex and fast‑changing business environment. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how effective transaction tax planning can drive efficiency and demonstrate value across the organization.
Rudy Blahnik – Managing Director, EY
Ryan Higgins – Senior Manager, EY
Industry Specialist to be confirmed
Compliance Without the Chaos: Managing Telecom Tax Across Jurisdictions
Operating across hundreds of jurisdictions is the norm in telecom—but staying compliant in all of them is a constant challenge. This session breaks down proven best practices for managing multi-jurisdictional telecom tax compliance in an environment of shifting nexus rules, evolving tax bases, and aggressive enforcement. We’ll cover practical approaches to data management, process design, and technology enablement—along with common pitfalls that trigger audits and assessments. Walk away with actionable strategies to simplify complexity, reduce risk, and keep compliance from becoming a full-time fire drill.
Frank Giovannone - Senior Manager, PwC
Romin Patel - Senior Manager, PwC
Ghislaine Tchinda - Manager, PwC
What Just Happened? The Year’s Most Impactful Telecom Tax Rulings
Another year, another wave of telecom tax curveballs. In this fast-moving session, we’ll break down the top ten telecom tax developments and rulings you actually need to care about—no noise, just impact. We’ll cover how states are pushing the limits on nexus, expanding what’s taxable, and reinterpreting statutes in ways that can quietly increase exposure. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what changed, why it matters, and where to focus next to avoid being caught off guard.
Nicholas Carey - Senior Manager, PwC
Justin Harrison - Senior Manager, PwC
Compliance Best Practices – Deep Dive Q & A
The Communications industry is a dynamic, ever-changing world of possibilities. Carriers want to offer their clients the latest solutions and superior service while growing their bottom line. But what about regulatory rules and tax obligations? Do they fall on you or your clients? How do you establish a tax policy that’s optimized and defensible in an audit? Questions are many and the answers may be fuzzy.
Joe Solana – Sr. Communications Tax and Compliance Advisor, Wolters Kluwer
Shauna Brewer – Partner Manager - Communications – Wolters Kluwer
Ben Isbell – Senior Solution Consultant - Telecommunications, Wolters Kluwer
Are Transaction Taxes the Biggest Headache in Your Deal?
Transaction taxes can present significant challenges at every stage of a deal, from diligence through post‑close integration. This session will cover practical considerations before, during, and after a transaction, including how to leverage diligence findings, avoid common pitfalls, and set the foundation for effective post‑close compliance. Speakers will share lessons learned and real‑world examples to help attendees better manage transaction tax risks when onboarding new entities or business lines.
Brian Ruchlewicz – Managing Director, EY
Courtney Cox – Senior Manager, EY
Getting Your Bills Right: Real World Help with Invoice Presentation of Telecom Tax and Fee Line Items
This panel of seasoned practitioners will help you navigate the challenges of presenting telecom tax and fee line items on your bills so that you can avoid pitfalls, limit opportunities for customer confusion, and mitigate risk. The panel will focus on bill presentation requirements, truth-in-billing, bundled service charges, customer privacy, recovery items and Universal Service Fund pass-through. They will also explain how to best navigate the many differences between regulatory fees and telecom taxes - among the wide variety of jurisdictions that impose them - and address how changes at the Federal Communications Commission may impact these issues.
Kristine Devine – Partner, HWG LLPToby Bargar – Senior Tax Strategist, Avalara
Kathy Saxton – Multistate Tax Service, Deloitte Tax LLP
Rethinking Telecom Tax Compliance: Solving Today’s Pain Points With Scalable, Multi-Tax Support
Telecom tax leaders are being asked to manage an expanding range of responsibilities, from traditional telecom taxes to sales and use tax, property tax, income tax, audits, and other indirect taxes—often with compliance environments that haven’t kept pace. Inconsistent provider performance, offshore processing, and limited visibility continue to create frustration and risk for telecom organizations. This session takes a practical look at the most common breakdowns in today’s compliance landscape and what reliable, scalable solutions should truly deliver, including the role of modern tools and emerging AI capabilities. Attendees will gain insight into how forward‑thinking telecom tax teams are strengthening operations, improving transparency and efficiency, and building support models that scale across their full tax footprint.
DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.
Automating Compliance: Navigating E911 and Per Line Charges
The telecom compliance landscape is evolving with technological advancements and complex regulatory demands. This panel will focus on how automation transforms compliance management, specifically discussing:
- Defining Lines and Trunks: How do new technologies redefine "lines" and "trunks" in telecom?
- Legal Landscape: What are the implications of recent litigation on per line/per month charges?
- Automation Advantage: How does Avalara automate and simplify compliance to reduce errors and clarify obligations?
- Future of Fees: What are viable alternatives for funding public programs through telecom fees?
Join our expert panelists to uncover the strategic role of automation in overcoming the complexities of telecom tax compliance.
Toby Bargar – Senior Tax Strategist, Avalara
Steve Lacoff – General Manager Communications, Avalara (Moderator)
Fueling Telecom Innovation: The Strategic Role of R&D Credits and State Incentives in Capital Investment
This presentation explains how telecommunications companies can lower the cost of innovation by leveraging federal R&D tax credits tied to engineering, software development, and network optimization activities. It also highlights how state and local incentives—such as job creation credits, capital investment benefits, and broadband‑specific programs—can materially improve the economics of fiber builds, 5G deployments, and other capital projects.
Scotty R Amos - Partner, State & Local Tax Eisner Advisory Group LLC
Invited speakers to be confirmed
Single Price Bundled Offerings and Revenue Allocation Issues for Regulatory and Transaction Tax Purposes
Your marketing department wants to bundle multiple service and possibly product offerings into a single price on the customer’s invoice. How should the value of the components be established for purposes of regulatory and sales/telecom tax application and reporting? What type of support does your company need to establish in order to support these pricing and tax determinations? This session will focus on FCC unbundling rules and state sales/telecom tax unbundling rules (e.g., SSTP, MTSA & ITFA) and how to use revenue allocation studies performed by valuation engineers to support your filing positions.
Kathy Saxton – Multistate Tax Service, Deloitte Tax LLP
Bryson Peters – Senior Manager - Deloitte Transactions & Business Analytics
TBD – Invited Client
Telecom Tax in the Real World: Where Automation Stops and Strategy Begins
Automation and AI are transforming every corner of business, including tax and compliance, but not all processes can or should be fully automated. Nowhere is this more true than in the world of telecom tax, where complexity spans multiple jurisdictions, hidden regulatory obligations, and constantly shifting rules. In this session, telecom tax experts will explore the critical role automation plays and where it stops. Learn why automation must be paired with experienced professionals to manage risk, ensure compliance, and keep pace with regulatory change. AI and automation isn’t just about software; it’s about strategy.
Robert Dumas – TaxConnex
Bridging Tax and Technology: Building the Skills and Systems Telecom Tax Teams Now Need
Telecom tax departments operate in an environment where technology drives nearly every outcome, from billing platforms and tax engines to workflow tools, data integrations, and emerging AI capabilities. As systems become more interconnected, tax professionals are increasingly expected to understand both complex tax rules and the technology that calculates and reports them, creating a growing skills gap and added pressure on already stretched teams. This session explores the evolution of the “tax technologist” role, the challenges of bridging tax and IT expertise, and the realities of selecting, implementing, and optimizing tax technology. Attendees will learn how leading telecom organizations are modernizing their tax environments, improving efficiency, and building sustainable processes supported by the right tools, training, and expertise.
DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.
Closing the Strategy-to-System Gap: A Practical Blueprint for Telecom Tax
Telecom tax strategy often starts with a strong advisory position—then loses momentum as it collides with product catalogs, bundles, billing constraints, exemption data gaps, and constantly shifting jurisdictional rules. This session we will walk through a practical framework for converting tax strategy into governed system logic that stands up to audit and reduces operational churn. Specific topics covered :
- Where telecom tax strategies break down in execution
- Disconnects between tax policy, product teams, and billing systems
- What auditors actually test versus documented intent
- Why advisory memos alone do not equal compliance
- Translating advisory guidance into tax engine logic
- Product mapping, jurisdictional rules, and rate automation
- System-driven defensibility and audit readiness
- Reducing manual overrides and compliance gap
Joe Solana – Sr. Communications Tax and Compliance Advisor, Wolters Kluwer
Shauna Brewer – Partner Manager - Communications – Wolters Kluwer
Ben Isbell – Senior Solution Consultant - Telecommunications, Wolters Kluwer
Topics under development, sessions pending confirmation
AI in Taxation Panel
Acquiring or getting Acquired? Key things the Tax Department Should Consider
Charge Code Checkup: Ensuring Accurate Tax Mapping Through Internal Audits
“I’m Selling a New Product … What do I do Next?”
Communications Taxation 2026 Concludes Promptly at 12 Noon
Questions, comments, suggestions? Please email Matthew Lucas ([email protected])