# Getting the Band Back Together: Former Commissioner Werfel on IRS Challenges Ahead

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/federal-tax-updates-5954475/getting-the-band-back-together-former-commissioner-werfel-on-irs-challenges-ahead
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/federal-tax-updates-5954475/getting-the-band-back-together-former-commissioner-werfel-on-irs-challenges-ahead.md
Podcast: [Federal Tax Updates](https://stenobird.com/podcast/federal-tax-updates-5954475)
Published: 2025-12-01T15:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc9002a1
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/media.transistor.fm/dc9002a1/5f4129ea.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/federal-tax-updates-5954475/episodes/getting-the-band-back-together-former-commissioner-werfel-on-irs-challenges-ahead
Duration seconds: 3255

## Resource

Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel and longtime agency communications chief Terry Lemons join Roger and Annie for a candid Thanksgiving conversation about the mounting challenges facing the agency heading into the 2026 filing season. The discussion covers budget cuts, staffing reductions, the lingering ERC backlog, and why a hollowed-out compliance function puts both taxpayers and tax professionals at greater risk. Sponsors Padgett - Contact Padgett or Email Jeff Phillips Get NASBA Approved CPE or IRS Approved CE Launch the course on EarmarkCPE to get free CPE/CE for listening to this episode. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome to Federal Tax Updates (01:07) - Introducing Special Guests: Terry Lemons and Danny Werfel (02:18) - Danny's Post-IRS Journey (07:48) - Terry Lemons' Post-IRS Activities (12:12) - Challenges Facing the IRS and Tax Professionals (19:37) - The Importance of IRS Compliance and Modernization (29:48) - Concerns About Workforce Sustainability (30:54) - Employee Retention Credit Issues (31:35) - Fraud and Government Response (34:28) - Impact of Government Shutdown on IRS Programs (35:51) - IRS Performance and Resource Allocation (39:50) - Challenges in Tax Compliance and Enforcement (45:15) - Preparing for the Upcoming Tax Season (50:17) - College Football Predictions (52:51) - Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes Connect with Terry Lemons https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-lemons-77b3641a9 Connect with Danny Werfel https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-werfel-89441594 Follow the Federal Tax Updates Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/FedTaxPod facebook.com/FedTaxPod linkedin.com/showcase/fedtaxpod Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn Roger Harris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerharrispbs/ Annie Schwab - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-schwab-852418261/ Review L…

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## Transcript

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