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President's Message

Dear IPT Members,

As we move into the fall season, I am energized by the strong momentum we’re carrying into the final quarter of 2025. The coming months are packed with exceptional educational programs and opportunities to connect with colleagues across all areas of state and local taxation. I’m proud of the dedication shown by IPT members and the committees who make these programs possible. I recently returned from the 2025 Property Tax School in Irving, TX and was completely impressed.  This was a school that I initially challenged earlier in my career and now wish I hadn’t.  Besides the horrible display by the Bears in the fourth quarter on Monday night, the rest of the week was spectacular.

Later this month, IPT returns to the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, California, for two premier programs: the 2025 Sales Tax Symposium (September 28 – October 1) followed immediately by the 2025 VAT Symposium (October 1 – 2). Together, these events will offer a comprehensive look at the latest developments in transactional taxes, featuring insights from leading practitioners and industry experts. I look forward to connecting with attendees at the resort.

In October, two of IPT’s most valued educational offerings will take place at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center in Atlanta. The Real Property Tax School (October 13 – 17) followed by the Personal Property Tax School (October 20 – 24). These schools provide advanced, in-depth education in property taxation and continue IPT’s tradition of building a strong foundation for the next generation of property tax professionals.

In November, we return to Indian Wells for the 2025 Property Tax Symposium (November 2 – 5), a cornerstone of IPT’s educational programming. This event brings together practitioners from across the country to explore current developments, challenges, and strategies in property tax. Shortly after, we head to Arlington, Texas, for the 2025 Credits & Incentives Symposium (November 16 – 19) at the Loews Arlington Hotel. This program will feature an expanded focus on economic development organizations and enhanced networking opportunities. Concurrently, IPT will host the Texas Two Day Seminar (November 17 – 18), offering tailored content for both sales/use and property tax professionals.

As we prepare for next year’s 50th Annual Conference in Hawaii, I encourage you to get involved. The Call for Speakers is open to all members, with proposals due by September 30, 2025. This will be IPT’s largest educational event to date, and I’m thrilled by the progress already made. My sincere thanks to Jeff Gordon, Overall Chair, and his discipline chairs for their tireless work in assembling an outstanding program. Please stay tuned for more details in the months ahead.

Although I’ve only served as IPT President for a few months, I continue to be inspired by the commitment and passion of our membership in delivering high-caliber programming. I deeply appreciate everyone who contributes to this organization—whether as a committee member, instructor, or attendee.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of IPT. I look forward to seeing many of you at an upcoming program later this year.

Warm regards,
Donald L. Lippert, Jr., CMI
IPT President

Tax Education with an Aloha Spirit

Join IPT to mark 50 years of excellence in state and local tax education and professional connection. The heart of the 2026 Annual Conference is a robust, forward-looking educational program designed to inform, inspire, and elevate your professional journey.

The 2026 Annual Conference Agenda includes:
• Two dynamic keynote speakers
• Up to 20 hours of continuing education, the most of any IPT Conference
• Four distinct learning tracks tailored to Sales Tax, Property Tax, State Income Tax, and Credits & Incentives
• Four dedicated ethics sessions, including multiple hours of IPT Ethics credit
• Pre-conference workshops and interactive roundtables on key topics

Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, stay ahead of legislative changes, or earn continuing education credits, the 2026 Annual Conference delivers the most comprehensive educational experience IPT has to offer. Join IPT in Hawaii in June 2026, where professional growth meets unforgettable surroundings.

Learn More and Register

Interested in Speaking at the 2026 Annual Conference?

Known for delivering top-tier education, IPT relies on member speakers to bring valuable insights and real-world experience to the Annual Conference. If you have a timely, relevant topic and a passion for sharing your expertise, IPT invites you to submit your proposal for presenting at the 2026 Annual Conference. Speaking at the Annual Conference is not only a great way to give back to the profession, but it also enhances your visibility, builds your leadership credentials, and deepens your connections within the state and local tax community. The deadline for submitting your speaking proposal is September 30, 2025. Please act now if you are interested in speaking, as opportunities are quickly being filled.

Submit Your Proposal

Mahalo!

Texas Two Day Seminar

Texas Two Day Seminar
Focused on Texas-Specific Sales & Property Tax Issues
November 17 – 18, 2025
Loews Arlington
Arlington, Texas

IPT is offering a regional seminar designed specifically for state and local tax professionals with business interests in Texas. The Texas Two-Day Seminar delivers focused, in-depth content on key Texas-specific issues in sales and property tax, offering the insights and updates you need to stay sharp and informed. It’s an exceptional value for tax professionals based in Texas or neighboring states seeking high-quality education without the expense of extended travel.

Texas Two Day Brochure 

The Seminar will cover the following topics:

Monday, November 17th
General Sessions
• Update from the Texas Comptroller
• Texas Legislative Updates
• IPT Ethics

Tuesday, November 18th

Property Tax Track
• Recent Case Law Developments
• Texas Disposal Dys. Landfill, Inc. v. Travis Cent. Appraisal Dist., 94 S.W.3d 752 (Tex. 2024)
• Jurisdictional Reappraisal Approaches
• General Valuation Concepts

Sales Tax Track
• Texas Policy Issues I: Energy
• Texas Policy Issues II: Manufacturing
• Taxation of Services – SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, Data Processing
• Texas Companies Operating in Border States (NM and LA)
• Maximizing Use of Technology – Alteryx, AI, OCR, Bots, etc.

Make the Most of Your Time in Arlington
Held concurrently with IPT’s Credits & Incentives Symposium, this Seminar gives you flexibility to add morning sessions on Monday and/or Wednesday from the Credits & Incentives Symposium for just $150 each (or $300 for both).

Continuing Education Credit
• Up to 10 CE hours for full attendance at the Texas Two Day Seminar
• Add up to 3 CE hours Monday morning, and 3.6 CE hours Wednesday morning from the C&I Symposium
• Attend all three for a total of up to 16 CE hours

Registration:
• IPT Members: $595
• Non-Members: $1,095

The seminar kicks off with lunch on Monday and concludes on Tuesday afternoon.

IPT’s regional seminars are known for delivering relevant, timely content with actionable takeaways. Reserve your spot today!
Register

IPT Symposiums

2025 PROPERTY TAX SYMPOSIUM
NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2025
RENAISSANCE ESMERALDA
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA

The Latest in Property Taxation

The Property Tax Symposium is well known for providing the latest insights and the most relevant information on property tax issues. This year’s Symposium offers over 25 sessions on the latest developments in property tax, including legislative updates, hot topics, emerging technologies, and strategic solutions that will help you drive better outcomes for your organization and clients.

The Symposium also features:
• A dynamic keynote presentation on dealing with uncertainty
• An ethics keynote address on negotiating ethical challenges
• Three discussion forums: personal property, real property, and women in property tax
• Multiple networking opportunities at meals, in between sessions, and at evening receptions

Some unique networking events include a golf tournament, a special reception honoring retiring Deputy Executive Director Brenda Pittler, and a game night featuring Family Feud and karaoke with a live band.

Attendees can earn up to 18.6 CPE credits, including 1.8 IPT Ethics credit hours, for full attendance. As the leading program for the latest in property tax education, the Symposium delivers the perspectives, updates, and strategies property tax professionals need to stay ahead.

View the brochure now and start planning your experience at this must-attend program!

Register

CREDITS AND INCENTIVES SYMPOSIUM
NOVEMBER 16 - 19, 2025
LOEWS ARLINGTON HOTEL
ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Connect with State & Local Economic Development Leaders at the Credits & Incentives Symposium!

Are you ready to dive deep into the world of tax credits and incentives while connecting directly with the people who shape them? Join IPT at the Credits & Incentives Symposium, where you’ll gain exclusive access to state and local economic development agency representatives and the latest updates in business tax incentives.

On Tuesday, November 18th, you’ll hear from representatives from the:
• Arkansas Economic Development Commission
• Missouri Partnership
• Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
• South Carolina Department of Commerce
• TX Econ Develop & Tourism Office
• Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity

These experts will share critical insights into their business tax credits and incentives programs, providing information that can directly impact your planning and compliance strategies. But that’s not all. After the presentations, enjoy a dedicated networking reception where you can engage one-on-one with the representatives from these economic development offices, who will be exhibiting during the reception, along with representatives from three regional economic development agencies; Arlington Economic Development Corporation (Texas), Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (Virginia) and Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce (Texas). This is your chance to ask specific questions, explore opportunities for your organization, and build valuable connections in a more relaxed, conversational setting.

With over 20 targeted sessions on topics ranging from legislative updates and compliance challenges to ethics and emerging technologies, the Credits & Incentives Symposium is a must-attend event for tax professionals involved in credits and incentives.

Make your plans to join IPT in Arlington this November!

Register

CMI/CCIP Exam Schedule & Deadlines

2025 CMI State Income Tax Exams
*The CMI State Income Tax exams are administered by appointment only, and held at the IPT office in Atlanta, Georgia.  
*After completion of the application process, candidates must notify IPT of their intention to sit with at least 90 days’ notice.  The exam date will then be scheduled through coordination with the CMI - State Income Tax Professional Designation Committee. 

*Please contact Jake Lipps, IPT’s Certification Manager, for more information. 

Applications must be received via email on or before the deadline for receipt of applications. Applications received after this deadline will NOT be reviewed in time for consideration of the subsequent exams. 

January 2026 CMI Property Tax Exams
Atlanta, Georgia
Exam Dates: January 30-31, 2026

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the January 2026 exams has passed.
* All examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements no later than December 15, 2025. 
* Candidates must register for the examination no later than December 30, 2025.

February 2026 CMI Sales Tax Exams
Atlanta, Georgia
Exam Dates: February 27-28, 2026

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the February 2026 has passed. 
* All examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements no later than January 15, 2026. 
* Candidates must register for the examination no later than January 27, 2026.

April 2026 CCIP Exams 
Atlanta, Georgia
Exam Dates: April 27-28, 2026

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the April 2026 CCIP exams is January 26, 2026. 
* All examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements no later than March 9, 2026. 
* Candidates must register for the examination no later than March 26, 2026.

In Memoriam: Raymond J. Freda, Esq.

IPT was saddened to learn of the passing of Raymond J. Freda, Esq., on August 19, 2025. Raymond was a valued contributor to IPT and served as a regular speaker at the ABA/IPT Seminars for many years. IPT extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Upcoming Local Luncheons 

Chicago IPT Luncheon Group * December 10, 2025 * 11:00 AM

Location: Greek Islands * 300 E. 22nd Street * Lombard, IL
Topic: 2025 State and Local Tax Recap
Speakers:
David Harris
Director
Illinois Department of Revenue

Maurice Scholten
President
Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois

Contact: Melissa Metzelfeld