Instructor
Vivian Paige
Instructor
Vivian J. Paige, CPA, CGMA, MBA, MS, has extensive experience in taxation and accounting. She was a successful sole practitioner until selling most of her firm 11 years ago and joining the faculty of her alma mater, Old Dominion University (ODU). During her nine years at ODU, she received numerous awards, including being bestowed the permanent title of "University Distinguished Teacher" and being named the "Most Inspiring Faculty Member" by the winner of the ODU Kaufman Scholar Award, given annually to the top student among ODU's 25,000+ students. She then spent two years as a member of the faculty at Christopher Newport University, where, in addition to teaching, she served as a mentor to the next generation of CPAs. She is currently taking a break from teaching.
Vivian is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA). She is actively involved in the VSCPA, currently serving as a member and immediate past chair of the Tax Advisory Committee and as a member of the VSCPA Political Action Committee Board, the ad hoc Educators' Symposium Task Force, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council. She authored the VSCPA Legislators' Tax Guide and presented briefings to the legislature on taxation. She is the co-author of two current VSCPA ethics courses and has been a presenter at several VSCPA conferences. Her longtime service to the VSCPA was recognized in 2019 when she was named the Outstanding Member.
Vivian is also involved in her community. She serves as a member of the Audit and Finance Committee of the FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia, on the audit and finance committees of the ACLU of Virginia, and as a board member of the Hampton Roads Tax Forum. She was a member of the Mayor's Commission on Equity and Economic Opportunity and the Mayor's Committee on Gaming. For a number of years, she was a weekly guest opinion columnist for The Virginian-Pilot, covering state and local politics. She co-founded Norfolk United Facing Race and was a founding board member of the Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement. Her varied interests have led her to be a public speaker and a frequent guest on radio and television, both locally and nationally. For her work in the community, she has received numerous awards, including being a YWCA Women of Distinction honoree.
The 2025 tax law introduced significant changes that will affect 2026 tax return preparation. Tax practitioners need practical guidance to help their clients navigate what comes next, which this course will provide. Designed with sole practitioners and small firms in mind, the course will review the provisions taking effect in 2026 and will also include important IRS guidance and recent court decisions most relevant to you and your clients. This comprehensive update will focus on the developments you are most likely to encounter in everyday tax practice, including compliance concerns and planning opportunities. With clear explanations, scalable solutions, and practical application, this course will help you stay current, communicate changes confidently, and prepare for the 2027 filing season with a client-focused approach.
1. Understand and apply the significant federal tax law changes affecting 2026 tax return preparation for individuals and businesses, including sole proprietors, pass-through entities, and closely held businesses.
2. Recognize and apply rules for new and modified deductions and credits that are most relevant to small and medium-sized clients.
3. Analyze and apply recent developments and guidance related to retirement planning, employee benefits, digital assets, and other issues frequently encountered in small firms.
4. Apply practical tax planning strategies in response to current federal tax developments tailored to your clients.
5. Evaluate practitioner-focused issues affecting sole-practitioners, including recent court cases, evolving IRS procedures, documentation concerns, client communication, and the responsible use of AI in tax practice. 6. Identify and apply the inflation-adjusted amounts for 2026.
Experience with at least one tax season.
None
Sole practitioners, small firm staff, and tax professionals with a general understanding of individual and business taxation who are involved in preparation or review of tax returns or providing strategic tax planning advice.