Melissa Wiley and Mac Norman will speak at AICPA’s National Tax Conference, being held Nov. 9-10, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. Pre-conference workshops will be held Nov. 8, 2026.
AICPA’s National Tax Conference brings together tax professionals to share insight, guidance, and strategies to navigate the evolving tax landscape.
This year’s conference takes place shortly after the 2026 mid-term elections and amid dramatic changes to the U.S. tax environment — including the lasting impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), IRS enforcement priorities, global trade dynamics, and ongoing state and local tax (SALT) pressures. The conference aims to help participants strengthen their knowledge and plan cohesive, future-ready tax strategies for businesses and individuals.
Melissa and/or Mac will speak on the following topics:
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 9 am – 4 pm Eastern
Pre-Conference Workshop: Tax Controversy and Litigation: Building Your Expert Witness Toolkit
Melissa Wiley and Mac Norman will speak at this full-day pre-conference workshop that will explore all phases of tax controversy litigation. The workshop will feature the following sessions:
Melissa and Mac will be joined by Joseph Rillotta of Meadows Collier; Elizabeth Blickley of Fox Rothschild; and Deborah Johnson of High-Stakes Communication, LLC.
Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, 1:10 pm – 2:35 pm Eastern
Nuts and Bolts of Penalty Abatement
Melissa will speak on a panel addressing how IRS penalties continue to be a significant source of taxpayer controversy and financial exposure. This session will provide a practical overview of the most common penalty relief provisions available to individuals and businesses, including the new Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) process, reasonable cause relief, statutory exceptions, and administrative waivers. Through real-world examples and insights, participants will learn how to evaluate penalty exposure, develop effective abatement requests, and navigate IRS procedures for securing relief. The discussion will also address current trends in IRS penalty administration, procedural considerations, and strategies for improving outcomes for taxpayers.
Melissa will be joined by Mary Slonina of KPMG and Alina Solodchikova of RSM US LLP.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 2:55 pm -- 3:45 pm Eastern
Building an Effective Appeal
Melissa will discuss how the IRS Independent Office of Appeals can provide taxpayers with an important opportunity to resolve disputes without litigation. But success at appeals requires more than simply presenting the arguments made during the examination. This panel will explore how experienced practitioners effectively navigate the appeals process, from developing the case strategy and preparing the protest through the appeals conference and settlement negotiations. Panelists will also discuss the alternative dispute resolution options available at the IRS Independent Office of Appeals and the pros and cons of each option.
Melissa will be joined by Elizabeth Askey of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
About Melissa
With more than 20 years of experience in tax law, Melissa has represented a diverse range of clients, from large corporations to high-net-worth individuals, in complex disputes with federal and state taxing authorities. Known for her calm, empathetic style, Melissa excels at distilling intricate tax issues into clear, actionable insights — helping her clients efficiently resolve disputes and focus on what matters most in their businesses and lives.
About Mac
Mac’s practice is focused on tax litigation in the U.S. Tax Court and federal district courts. Mac received his BBA in accounting from Texas A&M in three years. While in law school, Mac was a member of the Texas A&M Law Review editorial board, as well as the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. He obtained his LLM from the Georgetown University Law Center, graduating with distinction and as a Dean’s List Honoree.
