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President's Message

Hello IPT! It is my honor and privilege to serve as IPT’s President for the 2025 – 2026 term. I am very grateful for the leadership of Immediate Past President Trisha C. Fortune, CMI, CPA, and applaud all IPT’s accomplishments under her leadership. I look forward to working with her, First Vice President Jeff McGhehey, CMI, Second Vice President Jan Nash, CMI, and the entire Board of Governors throughout the coming year.

I must also extend a tremendous thank you to Immediate Past President Fortune and Second Vice President Nash, who served as Overall Chair of the Annual Conference Committee, as well as the entire Annual Conference Committee, for producing an educational and exciting 49th Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale. The sessions were informative and entertaining, the networking opportunities and activities were outstanding, and the location was magnificent. Congratulations to all who gave their time and talent to this wonderful event. A special thank you to all who attended; your participation made this program a success.

In addition to continuing the stellar work established by prior leadership, I have two primary objectives for my term as President, both of which focus on furthering IPT’s sustainability in the years to come. My goal is to develop and implement a program that would make IPT’s educational offerings accessible to tax professionals overseas. Extending IPT’s educational reach would expand our prominence as the premier provider of state and local tax education to a new and entirely diverse audience. Further, it will assist U.S. companies that rely on foreign resources for tax administration by educating these individuals. I am excited to provide more details on this strategy as the year progresses, and I look forward to working with many of you to achieve this goal.

I also envision implementing new resources for CMI and CCIP candidates. As IPT enters its 50th year, it is vital that we maintain and strengthen the professional designation program to ensure lasting success and future growth. As you are aware, these designations carry the weight of knowledge, expertise, and ethical responsibility, and we must ensure that resources are available to candidates as they pursue this esteemed credential. You can expect more details to come as we develop and implement this program.

This is an exciting time for IPT as we draw closer to celebrating 50 years of excellence in state and local tax education. It will be a year of celebration and growth. I anticipate a year of hard work, but tremendous accomplishment, and I am proud to be in it with you.

Donald L. Lippert, Jr., CMI
IPT President

Thank You from Immediate Past President Trisha C. Fortune, CMI, CPA

As my term as President has ended, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude.

Serving as IPT’s President has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Getting to know so many of you—our members, volunteers, and leaders—and working alongside you has been both inspiring and incredibly rewarding.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of advancing several key initiatives to help strengthen IPT’s presence and member engagement. We continued building out our comprehensive marketing strategy, launched targeted outreach to lapsed members, and introduced a new welcome campaign to connect with and retain new members. We also expanded our online and social media presence—especially on LinkedIn—helping IPT reach a broader audience and showcase the value we bring to the state and local tax community.

None of this progress would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers. Your time, energy, and commitment are what keep this organization thriving. I am deeply grateful to the IPT Board of Governors for their steadfast support, and to Immediate Past President Allan Wells for his guidance and encouragement throughout the year. A very special thank you goes to Executive Director Chris Muntifering and the entire IPT staff—your professionalism, dedication, and care make all the difference.

I also want to thank my employer, Ryan, LLC, for its continued support and encouragement, and most importantly, my husband, Pete, and my family for standing by me every step of the way.

As I pass the baton, I’m excited to continue working with IPT’s new officers and Board in the coming year. And of course, I’m especially looking forward to celebrating IPT’s 50th Anniversary in Hawaii next June—a milestone event that will honor our past and set the course for our future. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. It has truly been a privilege.

Trisha C. Fortune, CMI, CPA
Immediate Past President

2025 Annual Conference Highlights

Thanks to the team who worked tirelessly on helping make the Annual Conference a success!
State Income Tax Chair Jennafer Norley, Esq.; Sales Tax Committee Chair Kimberly Still, CMI, CPA; Annual Conference Overall Chair Jan Nash, CMI; Networking Chair Barb Walker, and Property Tax Chair Carolyn Chinn Maly, Esq. Not pictured, C&I Chair Melissa Munoz, CCIP.


The Conference Keynote Speaker was thoughtful, dynamic, and had a great story to tell.
L to R President Trisha C. Fortune, CMI, CPA; Keynote Speaker Amelia Rose Earhart; Conference Overall Chair Jan Nash, CMI; and IPT Executive Director Chris G. Muntifering, CMI


President Fortune speaks at the Opening Session.



Vikash Rungta presents the timely topic, GenAI in Tax, during the Monday morning general session.



Conference Exhibitors met with attendees during Monday’s Exhibit Day event



S. Brendan Lynch, Esq., Tracy M. Turner, Esq., and Gregory R. Broege, Esq. led a session on Property Tax Case Law Updates.



Tyler Velez and Luke Cornetta, CPA discuss AI and the Microsoft Co-Pilot’s use in tax practices.



Randy L. Ellison and Caren Nichol, Esq. discuss networking best practices with session moderator Martin Guenther, CMI, MAI.



Attendees grab a cup of coffee and engage in conversation between sessions.



Fort Lauderdale at Harbor Beach presented Conference attendees with a special welcome!



Tom Flowers, CMI, and David Wechsler, Esq., discuss Renewable Energy in a breakout session on Monday afternoon



President Fortune has a laugh while presiding over the Annual Meeting.



Newly-Elected President Donald L. Lippert, Jr., CMI, makes remarks at the Annual Meeting.



Attendees brave the heat for a pre-Conference water tour.

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 pleased to announce an additional program to the 2025 roster.  The Texas Two Day Seminar, a program designed specifically for state and local tax professionals working in the Lone Star State.  This seminar zeroes in on the unique challenges and opportunities in Texas property and sales tax, delivering content tailored for those who manage these key areas.

Registration information:
IPT Members: $595
IPT Non-Members: $1095

The seminar begins on Monday, November 17th, at noon with lunch.
The seminar concludes on Tuesday, November 18th, in the afternoon.

Customize Your Experience:
Running concurrently with IPT’s Credits & Incentives Symposium, the Texas Two Day Seminar allows you to make the most of your time in Arlington.  Attendees may add Monday morning and/or Wednesday morning sessions at the Credits & Incentives Symposium for just $150 each, or $300 for both, maximizing the value of your trip.

Continuing Education Credits:
• You can qualify for up to 10 hours of CE for full attendance at the Texas Two-Day Seminar. 
• If you attend the Monday morning option at the Credits & Incentives Symposium, you can qualify for up to 3 hours of CE. 
• By attending the Wednesday morning option at the Credits & Incentives Symposium, you qualify for up to 3.6 hours of CE. 
• Attendance at all three options will earn up to 16 hours of CE. 
Register

Expand Your Expertise in Property Tax

Real Property Tax School
October 13 – 17, 2025
Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
Atlanta, Georgia

Designed for professionals with prior property tax experience, this advanced program delivers in-depth instruction on real property valuation, assessment practices, appeals, and more. Gain practical tools and insights to elevate your expertise in real property tax.

Register

Personal Property Tax School
October 20 – 24, 2025
Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
Atlanta, Georgia

Tailored for tax professionals with a foundational understanding of ad valorem taxation, this advanced curriculum offers comprehensive coverage of personal property valuation, compliance, reporting, and audit strategies.

Register

Take your career to the next level by attending one—or both—of these specialized programs built for experienced property tax professionals.

Join us in Atlanta from July 28 – August 1, 2025, for IPT’s Credits & Incentives School

The Credits & Incentives School is the only program of its kind designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in C&I concepts. Whether you're dedicated to Credits & Incentives or looking to expand your tax expertise, this school equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver greater value to your organization and stakeholders.  

The school emphasizes the practical application of the C&I principles and theories presented through both general sessions and hands-on practical exercises. Attendees will assemble in small groups and participate in a case study presentation where they can expect to learn how to:
 
• Determine the factors and data needed to conduct the site selection process
• Identify how to obtain discretionary and statutory incentives and tools to finance economic development projects
• Discern strategies to develop a cross-state model
• Recognize monetization techniques for tax credits
• Distinguish compliance issues associated with C&I transactions

Approximately 33 hours of continuing education credits are available for full attendance, of which 1.2 are for IPT Ethics. 

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your expertise and expand your professional network.  

Mark your calendar now!   

2025 Credits and Incentives School Brochure/Agenda  

Register

Room Reservations

Partnering for Education of the SALT Community: Support IPT Through Sponsorship

IPT’s mission is to deliver top-tier state and local tax education through a comprehensive lineup of schools, symposiums, webinars, and annual conferences. This standard of excellence is made possible, in part, by the generous support of our valued sponsors.

We’re excited to launch IPT’s first-ever Partnership Program, which is a new opportunity for companies and firms to showcase their commitment to education and professional development within the SALT community.

The program features three levels of partnership designed to align with your organization’s goals:
• Foundational Partner supports all of IPT’s educational programs across every discipline.
• Strategic Partner supports all educational programs within one discipline (Property Tax, Sales Tax, Value Added Tax, State Income Tax, or Credits & Incentives).
• Excellence in Education Partner supports IPT’s discipline-specific schools, helping develop the next generation of SALT professionals.

Each partnership level offers valuable benefits to maximize your visibility and impact.   By becoming an IPT Partner, your organization will be recognized as a leader in the SALT community while helping to ensure the continued excellence of IPT’s educational offerings.

Ready to Partner with IPT?
View the full brochure and discover how your organization can get involved through IPT’s new Partnership and Event Sponsorship Program.  

Partnership and Event Sponsorship Program

Upcoming IPT Programs in 2025

Stay ahead with IPT’s remaining 2025 programs! These premier educational programs provide in-depth education, valuable networking, and the latest updates in state and local taxation.

Each program offers expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and ample opportunities to connect with fellow professionals. Don’t miss the chance to enhance your knowledge and expand your professional network with IPT!

2025 Programs

IPTs Newest CMIs

IPT’s Board of Governors has bestowed the CMI designation upon the following members, after successfully completing the necessary education, experience, and testing requirements. Please join IPT in congratulating the following members for achieving their respective CMI designations!

CMI Sales Tax
Ian Baker, CMI – KPMG LLP
Drew Fosburgh, CMI – XTRA Lease LLC
Amy Jo Gunderson, CMI – PwC US Tax LLP
Victoria Laiche, CMI – Weaver
Ilya A. Lipin, CMI – BDO USA, P.C.
Joshua Marquez, CMI – Deloitte Tax LLP
Matthew McKinnon, CMI – BHM CPA Group, Inc.
Linsey Morgan, CMI – DRB Systems, LLC
Nicole Perella, CMI – Ernst & Young LLP
Jennifer Roselle, CMI – Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
Kimberly Spears, CMI – Tractor Supply Company
Ghislaine Tchinda-Hameni, CMI – PwC
Scott Wallace, CMI – Ryan, LLC
Dustin Wallace, CMI – Deloitte Tax LLP
Loveve Williams, CMI – TaxOps, LLC
Elicia Wright, CMI – PwC
Kelley Young, CMI – JBT Corporation

CMI Property Tax
Breanna Michelle Gordon, CMI – Ernst & Young LLP

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. 

July 2025 CCIP Exam 
Atlanta, Georgia
Exam Dates: July 28-29, 2025

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the July 2025 CCIP exam has passed. 
* All Examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements has passed. 
* Candidates must register for the examination has passed.

September 2025 CMI Sales Tax Exams 
Indian Wells, California
Exam Dates: September 27-28, 2025

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the September 2025 CMI Sales Tax has passed. 
* All Examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements no later than August 13, 2025. 
* Candidates must register for the examination no later than August 27, 2025.

November 2025 CMI Property Tax Exams 
Indian Wells, California
Exam Dates: November 1 - 2, 2025

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the November 2025 CMI Property Tax exams is August 4, 2025. 
* All Examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements no later than September 15, 2025. 
* Candidates must register for the examination no later than October 1, 2025.

November 2025 CCIP Exam 
Dallas, Texas
Exam Dates: November 15 - 16, 2025

* The deadline for receipt of applications for the November 2025 CCIP exam is August 13, 2025. 
* All Examinees will be required to complete and submit verification of any needed final requirements no later than October 1, 2025. 
* Candidates must register for the examination no later than October 15, 2025.

2025 Advanced Property Tax School Scholarship Program

Are you looking to take the next step in your property tax career?  Don’t miss out on scholarship opportunities for IPT’s Advanced Property Tax Schools, taking place this October in Atlanta.  Whether you're interested in the Real Property Tax School or the Personal Property Tax School, these programs offer in-depth education designed to elevate your expertise and enhance your professional growth.

Scholarships can help cover the costs associated with attending the schools, making it easier for qualified professionals to access these valuable learning experiences.   Registration fees are waived for scholarship recipients.  The deadline to apply is July 25, 2025, so don’t wait!  Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.


Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply

The 2025 Property Tax School is Coming in September!

IPT's Property Tax School is purposefully designed to provide attendees with the essential information needed to build and advance their careers in property tax. It offers an introductory but comprehensive study of the theory and practice of property tax management for business, including a demonstration of valuation techniques and how these apply to a tax professional's daily responsibilities.

This school is intended for those who want to learn more about property tax fundamentals or may have limited experience in the field and minimal exposure to appraisal theory.

The curriculum is delivered by corporate, consultant, and legal professionals who understand the complexities of property taxation. The faculty introduces these core concepts and breaks down the material in a clear and relatable way. The school also includes a series of workshops that allow attendees to participate in peer-to-peer discussions about the content presented during the general sessions.

There are no prerequisites for this course, and successful completion of a series of quizzes throughout the school is required. This school is a prerequisite for the Real and Personal Property Tax Schools and is eligible to be challenged by passing the Competency Exam,

Online Property Tax School Competency Exam .

Register

Upcoming Local Luncheons 

IPT Chicago Area Local Luncheon Group
August 13, 2025
11:00 am Lunch with a Noon Shotgun Start 

Contact: Melissa Metzelfeld 

IPT Phoenix Local Luncheon Group * August 25, 2025 * 1130 a.m.