In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears (NAEA) engages in a compelling discussion with Megan Killian, Executive Vice President of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), and Thad Inge, Vice President at Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA). Together, they delve into the intricacies of tax policy, the role of Enrolled Agents in advocacy, and the collaborative efforts shaping tax legislation in Washington, D.C.

Why Listen

• Gain insights into the intersection of tax policy and real-world advocacy.

• Learn how Enrolled Agents play a key role in influencing legislation that impacts tax professionals and their clients.

• Understand the importance of strategic collaboration between NAEA and policy experts like Van Scoyoc Associates.

• Stay informed about the latest challenges and opportunities in tax reform and how they may affect the profession.

In this Episode:

• [00:00:00] Welcome and Introduction

• [00:02:15] Megan Killian's Journey to NAEA

• [00:05:30] Thad Inge's Role at Van Scoyoc Associates

• [00:08:45] The Intersection of Tax Policy and Advocacy

• [00:12:00] Challenges and Opportunities in Tax Legislation

• [00:15:30] The Importance of Enrolled Agents in Policy Discussions

• [00:18:00] Collaborative Initiatives Between NAEA and VSA

• [00:21:30] Looking Ahead: Future of Tax Policy and EA Involvement

• [00:25:00] Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Notable Quotes

• “Our mission is to inform, empower, and connect tax professionals.” — Megan Killian

• “Enrolled Agents are at the forefront of tax advocacy, bridging the gap between policy and practice.” — Thad Inge

• “Collaboration between organizations like NAEA and VSA is crucial for effective tax reform.” — Brandy Spears

Our Guests

Megan Killian, CAE is the Executive Vice President of the National Association of Enrolled Agents. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in membership organizations, she brings deep expertise in strategic development, change management, and team building. Prior to joining NAEA, Meg led member relations at the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the profession.

Thad Inge is the Vice President at Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA), where he helps clients navigate legislative and regulatory issues, specializing in tax, small business, benefits, fintech, and payments. Before VSA, Thad led government relations at Paychex, Inc., and held roles at the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. He holds a degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.

Resource & Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

Megan Killian

• LinkedIn

Thad Inge

• LinkedIn
  

In the inaugural episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears (NAEA) welcomes tax attorney and Forbes contributor Kelly Phillips Erb, known widely as Tax Girl. They explore Kelly’s journey from tax blogger to national voice for taxpayer rights—and dive into her recent experience in remote Alaskan villages, where she joined a team providing free tax services to communities with no internet, no mail, and no real IRS access.

Together, they discuss the importance of programs like VITA and LITC, the struggles of taxpayers who want to comply but are cut off from the system, and how tax professionals can be part of the solution.

Why Listen

• Hear firsthand what tax outreach looks like in the most underserved areas of the U.S.

• Learn how voluntary compliance depends on access and trust

• Understand the impact of IRS mail backlogs and broken systems

• Get inspired to support or volunteer for tax assistance programs

  
  

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate

• [00:00:30] Meet Kelly Phillips Erb: Tax Girl origin story

• [00:02:00] From tax blogging to Forbes contributor

• [00:03:40] Making tax law accessible to everyday readers

• [00:06:17] Flying into the Alaskan wilderness to help taxpayers

• [00:09:45] What it’s like serving clients off the grid

• [00:14:50] Explaining taxes to people with no internet or roads

• [00:19:53] “They want to comply”: The determination of taxpayers

• [00:20:44] When filing is nearly impossible

• [00:22:43] Why VITA and LITC matter more than ever

• [00:24:52] Volunteering for free tax assistance

• [00:27:21] Tax changes ahead: What pros should watch

• [00:30:51] The IRS mail backlog and its real-life fallout

• [00:34:09] Final thoughts, fun facts, and closing

Notable Quotes

• Scared taxpayers are immobile taxpayers. They don’t do what they need to get help." — Kelly

• "If we want people to comply, we need to make it easy for people to comply." — Kelly

• "We explained how they could file, qualify for refunds, and meet their obligations." — Kelly

• "Blame Congress. It drives me crazy how many taxpayers blame IRS or tax pros." — Kelly

Our Guest

Kelly Phillips Erb is a tax attorney and educator who makes complex tax issues understandable. With a JD and LLM in Tax from Temple University, she writes for Forbes, appears on CNN and NPR, and advocates for taxpayer rights. Known online as Tax Girl, she specializes in tax controversy, international tax, estate planning, and compliance.

Resources and Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

Kelly Phillips Erb

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram
  

The Enrolled Agent Advocate is the go-to podcast for EAs and tax professionals looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving tax industry. Each episode brings you into conversations with experienced EAs and trusted voices in the tax space, offering an inside look at what’s happening in the field, how practitioners are navigating challenges, and where the profession is headed. Stay informed, inspired, and ahead with The Enrolled Agent Advocate.