2025 CalTax Foundation Webinar Series

Thursday, Jan 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM to Thursday, Dec 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM PST

Register Now

Registration

Register to Receive Recording of a 2025 Webinar Partial Approval - $12.00

Sale ends on 12/31/2025

Please select this ticket option if you are interested in receiving a recording of any 2025 webinar. Select the number of tickets for the number of recordings you would like. At check-out, you can select which recordings you would like access to. For access to any webinars from previous years, please contact Krissy Looney at krissy@caltax.org. NOTE: Continuing education credit is NOT available if you did not participate live. If you have already purchased a ticket to attend any webinar this year, you will receive a recording at the conclusion of the panel.

CalTax Foundation 2025 Webinar Series Bundle Partial Approval - $100.00

Sale ends on 12/31/2025

Register today and save! Series Bundle includes access to all webinars in 2025.

December 18: Keeping in Step: Federal Conformity and California’s Tax Future Partial Approval - $12.00

Sale ends on 12/18/2025

Leading experts Gina Rodriquez (Principal, Ryan LLC), Colin Grinnell (Chief Consultant, Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation), and Renee Rodda (Editor, Spidell's California Taxletter) break down what federal conformity means for California taxpayers and tax administrators. This timely webinar will spotlight Senate Bill 711, which updates California’s conformity date to the Internal Revenue Code from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2025, with exceptions. Panelists will analyze the impact of this update on California tax law, focusing on how the state aligns with key federal provisions from the past decade. The discussion will also cover the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) and its implications for California.

Donation to the California Tax Foundation

Sale ends on 12/31/2025

The California Tax Foundation is dedicated to serving the public through education and research. Founded in 1980 by the California Taxpayers Association, the CalTax Foundation seeks to improve public policy through thoughtful and independent non-partisan research. The CalTax Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization funded through grants and donations. Donations to the California Tax Foundation are tax deductible and help support tax policy research and education. Our federal tax ID number is 94-2679673.

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Thursday, Jan 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM to Thursday, Dec 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM PST

Join the California Tax Foundation for its 2025 webinar series. Each month, attendees will hear from leading State and Local Tax experts in California on timely and engaging topics.

Attendees may be eligible to receive one credit hour for California MCLE and/or CPE for each webinar attended. To be eligible for continuing education credit, participation in the polls during the webinar is required. Joining with the call-in option will not allow you to participate in the polls to receive credit.  

Established in 1980 by the California Taxpayers Association, the CalTax Foundation is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting sound tax policy and government efficiency through education and research. For more information about the foundation, visit www.caltaxfoundation.org.

CalTax & the CalTax Foundation

For questions, logistics, or additional details, please contact the CalTax Foundation at foundation@caltax.org.

Contact the Organizer

Learn more aboutDean Andal Dean Andal
Dean Andal
Former Member
Board of Equalization

About Dean Andal

Former Member
Board of Equalization
Learn more aboutBrian Keegan Brian Keegan
Brian Keegan
Senior Manager
Deloitte Tax

About Brian Keegan

Senior Manager
Deloitte Tax
Learn more aboutDrew Foster Drew Foster
Drew Foster
Senior Manager, State & Local Tax Controversy
PwC

About Drew Foster

Senior Manager, State & Local Tax Controversy
PwC
Learn more aboutJenica Wilkins Jenica Wilkins
Jenica Wilkins
Managing Director, Indirect Tax - State & Local Tax Services
Ernst & Young LLP

About Jenica Wilkins

Managing Director, Indirect Tax - State & Local Tax Services
Ernst & Young LLP
Learn more aboutGeoffrey Way Geoffrey Way
Geoffrey Way
Director, Controversy Services
KPMG

About Geoffrey Way

Director, Controversy Services
KPMG
Learn more aboutOscar Wei Oscar Wei
Oscar Wei
Deputy Chief Economist
California Association of Realtors

About Oscar Wei

Deputy Chief Economist
California Association of Realtors
Learn more aboutColin Fraser Colin Fraser
Colin Fraser
Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig
https://www.gtlaw.com/en/professionals/f/fraser-colin-w

About Colin Fraser

Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig
Learn more aboutMichael Kelly Michael Kelly
Michael Kelly
Associate
Ajalat, Polley, Ayoob, Matarese & Broege
https://apataxlaw.com/personnel/michael-p-kelly/

About Michael Kelly

Associate
Ajalat, Polley, Ayoob, Matarese & Broege
Learn more aboutJacob Shin Jacob Shin
Jacob Shin
Senior Manager, State & Local Tax
BDO

About Jacob Shin

Senior Manager, State & Local Tax
BDO
Learn more aboutRobert Merten Robert Merten
Robert Merten
Partner, State & Local Tax
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Law LLP
https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/robert-merten.html

About Robert Merten

Partner, State & Local Tax
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Law LLP
Learn more aboutJohn Ormonde John Ormonde
John Ormonde
Counsel
Eversheds Sutherland
https://www.eversheds-sutherland.com/en/united-states/people/ormonde-john

About John Ormonde

Counsel
Eversheds Sutherland
Learn more aboutCaroline Cain Caroline Cain
Caroline Cain
Transaction Tax Principal
Ryan LLC
https://ryan.com/about-ryan/leadership/caroline-cain/

About Caroline Cain

Transaction Tax Principal
Ryan LLC
Learn more aboutChris Micheli Chris Micheli
Chris Micheli
Founding Partner
Snodgrass & Micheli

About Chris Micheli

Founding Partner
Snodgrass & Micheli
Learn more aboutValerie Dickerson Valerie Dickerson
Valerie Dickerson
Partner
Deloitte Tax
https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/about/people/profiles.vdickerson+25863e18.html

About Valerie Dickerson

Partner
Deloitte Tax
Learn more aboutCharles Moll Charles Moll
Charles Moll
Partner
McDermott Will & Schulte LLP
https://www.mwe.com/people/moll-charles/

About Charles Moll

Partner
McDermott Will & Schulte LLP
Learn more aboutSaba Shatara Saba Shatara
Saba Shatara
Partner
Reed Smith

About Saba Shatara

Partner
Reed Smith
Learn more aboutJoaquin Torres Joaquin Torres
Joaquin Torres
Assessor-Recorder
City and County of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Office

https://www.sf.gov/departments--assessor-recorder

About Joaquin Torres

Assessor-Recorder
City and County of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Office
Learn more aboutKristen DePaul Kristen DePaul
Kristen DePaul
Assessor-Recorder
Modoc County Assessor/Recorder Office
https://www.co.modoc.ca.us/departments/assessor/index.php

About Kristen DePaul

Assessor-Recorder
Modoc County Assessor/Recorder Office
Learn more aboutTom Bordonaro Tom Bordonaro
Tom Bordonaro
Assessor
San Luis Obispo County Assessor
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/assessor

About Tom Bordonaro

Assessor
San Luis Obispo County Assessor
Learn more aboutGina Rodriquez Gina Rodriquez
Gina Rodriquez
Principal
Ryan LLC
https://ryan.com/

About Gina Rodriquez

Principal
Ryan LLC
Learn more aboutColin Grinnell Colin Grinnell
Colin Grinnell
Chief Consultant
Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation

About Colin Grinnell

Chief Consultant
Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation
Learn more aboutMarty Dakessian Marty Dakessian
Marty Dakessian
Managing Partner
Dakessian Law
https://www.dakessianlaw.com/lawyers/marty-dakessian/

About Marty Dakessian

Managing Partner
Dakessian Law
Learn more aboutBen Lee Ben Lee
Ben Lee
Attorney
Bewley, Lassleben & Miller, LLP
https://www.bewleylaw.com/benjamin-lee/

About Ben Lee

Attorney
Bewley, Lassleben & Miller, LLP
Learn more aboutAdam Kern Adam Kern
Adam Kern
Assistant Professor
University of San Diego
https://www.sandiego.edu/law/about/biography.php?profile_id=16109

About Adam Kern

Assistant Professor
University of San Diego
Learn more aboutNick Carter Nick Carter
Nick Carter
Senior Director
Ryan LLC

About Nick Carter

Senior Director
Ryan LLC
Learn more aboutRob Gutierrez Rob Gutierrez
Rob Gutierrez
President
California Taxpayers Association
Rob is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CalTax, responsible for managing the staff and overall direction of the association. Rob joined CalTax in 2009, and served as Director of State & Local Finance and Director of the California Tax Foundation, the nonprofit research organization founded by CalTax in 1980. Rob is a member of the Franchise Tax Board Advisory Board. He has completed extensive research on tax policy, including property taxes, how taxes and fees are applied under Proposition 26, and state spending priorities. He assisted in publishing the second edition of California’s Tax Machine: A History of Taxing and Spending in the Golden State. Rob holds a degree in political science from Westmont College in Santa Barbara.
www.caltax.org/about/

About Rob Gutierrez

President
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutPeter Blocker Peter Blocker
Peter Blocker
VP of Policy
California Taxpayers Association
Peter is the Vice President of Policy at CalTax. He has been with CalTax since 2011, first as a Policy Analyst and since 2015 as a registered lobbyist. In addition to representing CalTax in the Capitol, he analyzes legislation relating to tax policy, and manages special projects. He also provides research and writing for CalTax publications. Peter’s research and writing covers a broad spectrum of state tax policy, as well as government efficiency, elections and local tax issues. He is a graduate of the University of San Diego.
www.caltax.org/about/

About Peter Blocker

VP of Policy
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutDavid Kline David Kline
David Kline
VP of Communications and Research
California Taxpayers Association
David was named Vice President of Communications and Research in January 2010, after serving since 2007 as Director of Communications. He fields media inquiries, oversees research projects and production of CalTax publications, and serves as editor of the CalTaxletter. From 1992 to 2004, he worked for the Metropolitan News Company, first as the Capitol bureau chief and later as editor of Senior Spectrum newspaper, which received several journalism awards during his five-year tenure. From 2004 to 2007, he was a principal consultant and chief speechwriter for the Assembly Minority Leader.
www.caltax.org/about/

About David Kline

VP of Communications and Research
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutBart Baer Bart Baer
Bart Baer
Chief Tax Counsel
California Taxpayers Association
www.caltax.org/about/

About Bart Baer

Chief Tax Counsel
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutJoan Armenta-Roberts Joan Armenta-Roberts
Joan Armenta-Roberts
SUT Technical Tax Consultant
California Taxpayers Association
Joan joined CalTax in February 2020 as a Technical Tax Consultant with expertise helping taxpayers navigate California’s complicated sales and use tax laws. She has more than 25 years of sales and use tax experience, both in the private sector and through her work as a top advisor to State Board of Equalization Member Dean Andal, who chaired the BOE and successfully implemented reforms that promote efficiency and sound tax policy. Her extensive experience also includes more than 18 years with PwC and KPMG, two of the “Big Four” accounting firms, and most recently running her own sales tax consulting business.
www.caltax.org/about/

About Joan Armenta-Roberts

SUT Technical Tax Consultant
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutTobias Wolken Tobias Wolken
Tobias Wolken
Policy Advocate
California Taxpayers Association
www.caltax.org/about/

About Tobias Wolken

Policy Advocate
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutCaitlin Herring Caitlin Herring
Caitlin Herring
Research Fellow
California Taxpayers Association

https://caltax.org/about/#caltax-staff

About Caitlin Herring

Research Fellow
California Taxpayers Association
Learn more aboutJared Walczak Jared Walczak
Jared Walczak
Vice President of State Tax Projects
Tax Foundation
https://taxfoundation.org/about-us/staff/jared-walczak/

About Jared Walczak

Vice President of State Tax Projects
Tax Foundation
Learn more aboutJosh Grossman Josh Grossman
Josh Grossman
Partner
Moss Adams
https://www.mossadams.com/people/joshgrossman

About Josh Grossman

Partner
Moss Adams
Learn more aboutKarl Frieden Karl Frieden
Karl Frieden
VP and General Counsel
Council on State Taxation (COST)
https://www.cost.org/about-cost/staff/karl-a.-frieden/

About Karl Frieden

VP and General Counsel
Council on State Taxation (COST)
Learn more aboutRenee Rodda Renee Rodda
Renee Rodda
Editor
Spidell's California Taxletter
https://spidell.com/speakers/#renee

About Renee Rodda

Editor
Spidell's California Taxletter
Learn more aboutAngela Jones Angela Jones
Angela Jones
Taxpayers' Rights Advocate
California Franchise Tax Board

About Angela Jones

Taxpayers' Rights Advocate
California Franchise Tax Board
Learn more aboutTrista Gonzalez Trista Gonzalez
Trista Gonzalez
Director
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

About Trista Gonzalez

Director
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Learn more aboutErin Carvel Erin Carvel
Erin Carvel
Assistant Director
California Franchise Tax Board

About Erin Carvel

Assistant Director
California Franchise Tax Board
Learn more aboutCarolyn Stemen Carolyn Stemen
Carolyn Stemen
Supervising Appraiser
California State Board of Equalization

About Carolyn Stemen

Supervising Appraiser
California State Board of Equalization
Learn more aboutCris O'Neall Cris O'Neall
Cris O'Neall
Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig
https://www.gtlaw.com/en/professionals/o/oneall-cris-k

About Cris O'Neall

Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig

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Sessions on Jan 30, 2025

11:00 AM

Act II: Potential Changes to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
    Rob Gutierrez
    PresidentCalifornia Taxpayers Association
    Rob is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CalTax, responsible for managing the staff and overall direction of the association. Rob joined CalTax in 2009, and served as Director of State & Local Finance and Director of the California Tax Foundation, the nonprofit research organization founded by CalTax in 1980. Rob is a member of the Franchise Tax Board Advisory Board. He has completed extensive research on tax policy, including property taxes, how taxes and fees are applied under Proposition 26, and state spending priorities. He assisted in publishing the second edition of California’s Tax Machine: A History of Taxing and Spending in the Golden State. Rob holds a degree in political science from Westmont College in Santa Barbara.
    www.caltax.org/about/
    Jared Walczak
    Vice President of State Tax ProjectsTax Foundation
    https://taxfoundation.org/about-us/staff/jared-walczak/
    Josh Grossman
    PartnerMoss Adams
    Karl Frieden
    VP and General CounselCouncil on State Taxation (COST)

    Sessions on Feb 27, 2025

    11:00 AM

    Navigating Disaster Tax Relief: Supporting Taxpayers in Challenging Times

    11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
      Peter Blocker
      VP of PolicyCalifornia Taxpayers Association
      Peter is the Vice President of Policy at CalTax. He has been with CalTax since 2011, first as a Policy Analyst and since 2015 as a registered lobbyist. In addition to representing CalTax in the Capitol, he analyzes legislation relating to tax policy, and manages special projects. He also provides research and writing for CalTax publications. Peter’s research and writing covers a broad spectrum of state tax policy, as well as government efficiency, elections and local tax issues. He is a graduate of the University of San Diego.
      www.caltax.org/about/
      Renee Rodda
      EditorSpidell's California Taxletter
      Angela Jones
      Taxpayers' Rights AdvocateCalifornia Franchise Tax Board
      Trista Gonzalez
      DirectorCalifornia Department of Tax and Fee Administration
      Erin Carvel
      Assistant DirectorCalifornia Franchise Tax Board
      Carolyn Stemen
      Supervising AppraiserCalifornia State Board of Equalization

      Sessions on Mar 27, 2025

      11:00 AM

      Can’t Touch This: Property Tax and Attempts to Tax Intangibles

      11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
        David Kline
        VP of Communications and ResearchCalifornia Taxpayers Association
        David was named Vice President of Communications and Research in January 2010, after serving since 2007 as Director of Communications. He fields media inquiries, oversees research projects and production of CalTax publications, and serves as editor of the CalTaxletter. From 1992 to 2004, he worked for the Metropolitan News Company, first as the Capitol bureau chief and later as editor of Senior Spectrum newspaper, which received several journalism awards during his five-year tenure. From 2004 to 2007, he was a principal consultant and chief speechwriter for the Assembly Minority Leader.
        www.caltax.org/about/
        Cris O'Neall
        ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
        Nick Carter
        Senior DirectorRyan LLC

        Sessions on Apr 24, 2025

        11:00 AM

        Pillar of the Tax Community: What “Pillar Two” Means for California

        11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
          Peter Blocker
          VP of PolicyCalifornia Taxpayers Association
          Peter is the Vice President of Policy at CalTax. He has been with CalTax since 2011, first as a Policy Analyst and since 2015 as a registered lobbyist. In addition to representing CalTax in the Capitol, he analyzes legislation relating to tax policy, and manages special projects. He also provides research and writing for CalTax publications. Peter’s research and writing covers a broad spectrum of state tax policy, as well as government efficiency, elections and local tax issues. He is a graduate of the University of San Diego.
          www.caltax.org/about/
          Adam Kern
          Assistant ProfessorUniversity of San Diego

          Sessions on May 29, 2025

          11:00 AM

          Getting Paid Back: Navigating Sales Tax Refunds

          11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
            Joan Armenta-Roberts
            SUT Technical Tax ConsultantCalifornia Taxpayers Association
            Joan joined CalTax in February 2020 as a Technical Tax Consultant with expertise helping taxpayers navigate California’s complicated sales and use tax laws. She has more than 25 years of sales and use tax experience, both in the private sector and through her work as a top advisor to State Board of Equalization Member Dean Andal, who chaired the BOE and successfully implemented reforms that promote efficiency and sound tax policy. Her extensive experience also includes more than 18 years with PwC and KPMG, two of the “Big Four” accounting firms, and most recently running her own sales tax consulting business.
            www.caltax.org/about/
            Ben Lee
            AttorneyBewley, Lassleben & Miller, LLP
            Marty Dakessian
            Managing PartnerDakessian Law
            Caroline Cain
            Transaction Tax PrincipalRyan LLC
            https://ryan.com/about-ryan/leadership/caroline-cain/

            Sessions on Jun 26, 2025

            11:00 AM

            From Distortion to Resolution: A Guide to California's Alternative Apportionment Procedures

            11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
              David Kline
              VP of Communications and ResearchCalifornia Taxpayers Association
              David was named Vice President of Communications and Research in January 2010, after serving since 2007 as Director of Communications. He fields media inquiries, oversees research projects and production of CalTax publications, and serves as editor of the CalTaxletter. From 1992 to 2004, he worked for the Metropolitan News Company, first as the Capitol bureau chief and later as editor of Senior Spectrum newspaper, which received several journalism awards during his five-year tenure. From 2004 to 2007, he was a principal consultant and chief speechwriter for the Assembly Minority Leader.
              www.caltax.org/about/
              Brian Keegan
              Senior ManagerDeloitte Tax
              Drew Foster
              Senior Manager, State & Local Tax ControversyPwC
              Jenica Wilkins
              Managing Director, Indirect Tax - State & Local Tax ServicesErnst & Young LLP
              Geoffrey Way
              Director, Controversy ServicesKPMG

              Sessions on Jul 31, 2025

              11:00 AM

              Property Transfer Taxes: Policy Trends, Economic Impacts, and Legal Challenges

              11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
                Caitlin Herring
                Research FellowCalifornia Taxpayers Association

                https://caltax.org/about/#caltax-staff
                Oscar Wei
                Deputy Chief EconomistCalifornia Association of Realtors
                Colin Fraser
                ShareholderGreenberg Traurig
                Michael Kelly
                AssociateAjalat, Polley, Ayoob, Matarese & Broege

                Sessions on Aug 28, 2025

                11:00 AM

                The Right to Protest: California Tax Agencies’ Protest Resolution Trends and Practices

                11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
                  Caitlin Herring
                  Research FellowCalifornia Taxpayers Association

                  https://caltax.org/about/#caltax-staff
                  Jacob Shin
                  Senior Manager, State & Local TaxBDO
                  Robert Merten
                  Partner, State & Local TaxPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Law LLP
                  https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/robert-merten.html
                  John Ormonde
                  CounselEversheds Sutherland

                  Sessions on Sep 25, 2025

                  11:00 AM

                  Underground Regulation: What Is an Underground Regulation?

                  11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
                    Joan Armenta-Roberts
                    SUT Technical Tax ConsultantCalifornia Taxpayers Association
                    Joan joined CalTax in February 2020 as a Technical Tax Consultant with expertise helping taxpayers navigate California’s complicated sales and use tax laws. She has more than 25 years of sales and use tax experience, both in the private sector and through her work as a top advisor to State Board of Equalization Member Dean Andal, who chaired the BOE and successfully implemented reforms that promote efficiency and sound tax policy. Her extensive experience also includes more than 18 years with PwC and KPMG, two of the “Big Four” accounting firms, and most recently running her own sales tax consulting business.
                    www.caltax.org/about/
                    Caitlin Herring
                    Research FellowCalifornia Taxpayers Association

                    https://caltax.org/about/#caltax-staff
                    Marty Dakessian
                    Managing PartnerDakessian Law
                    Dean Andal
                    Former MemberBoard of Equalization
                    Chris Micheli
                    Founding PartnerSnodgrass & Micheli

                    Sessions on Oct 30, 2025

                    11:00 AM

                    Field Notes from the Assessors: Navigating Today’s Property Tax Landscape

                    11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
                      Caitlin Herring
                      Research FellowCalifornia Taxpayers Association

                      https://caltax.org/about/#caltax-staff
                      Joaquin Torres
                      Assessor-RecorderCity and County of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Office
                      Kristen DePaul
                      Assessor-RecorderModoc County Assessor/Recorder Office
                      Tom Bordonaro
                      AssessorSan Luis Obispo County Assessor

                      Sessions on Nov 20, 2025

                      11:00 AM

                      From the Bench: Tax Law Trends in the California Courts

                      11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
                        Valerie Dickerson
                        PartnerDeloitte Tax
                        Charles Moll
                        PartnerMcDermott Will & Schulte LLP
                        Saba Shatara
                        PartnerReed Smith

                        Sessions on Dec 18, 2025

                        11:00 AM

                        Keeping in Step: Federal Conformity and California’s Tax Future

                        11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
                          Caitlin Herring
                          Research FellowCalifornia Taxpayers Association

                          https://caltax.org/about/#caltax-staff
                          Renee Rodda
                          EditorSpidell's California Taxletter
                          Gina Rodriquez
                          PrincipalRyan LLC
                          https://ryan.com/
                          Colin Grinnell
                          Chief ConsultantSenate Committee on Revenue and Taxation