FTA Tax Breaks

How Executives and Attorneys are learning about AI with Alex Denniston

GenAI is evolving at a breakneck pace — and organizations across the private sector are racing to keep up. But how are they actually building meaningful knowledge, not just awareness? In this episode of the Tax Breaks Podcast, FTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick sits down with Alex Denniston, Director of Insights & Innovation at Factor, to dig into exactly that. Alex draws on his experience developing the Sense co-learning program and training attorneys and executives on GenAI around the world — bringing a practitioner's perspective that goes well beyond the usual hype. And in true Tax Breaks fashion, expect a few wild analogies along the way — including one surprisingly apt comparison between teaching GenAI and teaching someone how to cook. Whether you're just starting to think about AI literacy in your organization or looking to sharpen your approach, this episode is packed with takeaways you can actually use.

Tax Breaks Live: A Candid Conversation with Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel

Get ready for one of our most energizing Tax Breaks episodes yet—recorded live and unfiltered in front of a room full of state and local tax administrators! Join FTA's Executive Director Sharonne Bonardi and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick as they sit down with former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel at the 2025 FTA Compliance Workshop for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of tax administration and where it is headed next. From the big-picture challenges facing tax agencies to the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence, this episode dives into the opportunities, risks, and transformations reshaping the future of tax. Sharonne guides the discussion through national trends and opportunities for evolving federal–state partnerships, while Ryan brings questions about the rapidly developing world of AI—what’s real, what’s hype, and what agencies should be doing right now to prepare. Tune in for a rare, dynamic conversation with one of the nation’s most respected tax leaders, with candid insights and practical takeaways on leadership, technology, trust, and the future of service delivery. If you’re working in tax administration—or curious about how innovation is changing the way government serves the public—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Turning Data into Insights

Tax agencies hold an abundance of data but are they using it to its full potential? In this latest episode of the Tax Breaks Podcast, FTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick and Comptroller of Maryland Chief Deputy Comptroller Andy Schaufele dive into this critical question, exploring the importance for tax administrators to define their approach to data, performance measurement, and accountability. From the fundamentals of what data agencies rely on today, to the pitfalls of chasing vanity metrics and the role of AI and advanced analytics in shaping the next generation of tax systems, this conversation covers it all. Don't miss key insights about: * How agencies balance taxpayer privacy with actionable insights. * Why the right KPIs can drive real improvements in compliance and operations. * The challenges of measuring what matters in a government setting. * Where innovation and data sharing are taking tax administration next. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building smarter, fairer, and more effective tax systems.

Tax Breaks Live: The Future of Tax Technology

This live recording of the Tax Breaks podcast brings together a panel of forward-thinking leaders for an examination of technologies set to redefine tax administration. From generative AI and intelligent automation to real-time data pipelines and secure cloud ecosystems, Ryan Minnick hosts a trio of tax technology's top leaders as they share the breakthroughs they’re piloting today and the bets they’re making for tomorrow. This is a candid conversation filled with insights you can take back to your agency to stay ahead of the curve.

Talking Tax Collections with Virginia's Chiquita Hills and Wisconsin's Kyle Duerstein

Chiquita Hills with the Virginia Department of Taxation and Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s Kyle Duerstein are veterans within tax administration collections, leading these vital programs within their respective states. They joined FTA's Director of Compliance and Regional Sections Charlie Helms for this enlightening conversation about collections, with all the challenges and rewards that come from this critically necessary process for delivering the essential funds that keep our nation running.