As enrolled agents assisting clients with federal and state tax matters, staying informed on the latest IRS and Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) developments is crucial. Below is a curated summary of press releases and news items from the past week, including key highlights relevant to your practice, along with direct links to the source materials.
1. IRS News Releases
IR-2026-120: IRS Highlights Partnership With UK Tax Authority's New Whistleblower Program
October 7, 2026 — Source: IRS
The IRS highlighted its collaboration with HMRC's Strengthened Reward Scheme, a UK whistleblower program launched in November 2025 that targets serious tax avoidance and evasion by the wealthiest individuals and largest businesses. Reportable conduct includes undeclared foreign accounts and FBAR failures, hidden assets in foreign trusts or anonymous entities, money laundering, and transfer pricing manipulation. Award eligibility does not depend on U.S. or UK citizenship or residency.
Practice note: Expect continued focus on cross-border reporting. Clients with foreign accounts, foreign trusts, or international structures should be current on FBAR and related filings.
Read more →
The IRS Newsroom was double-checked; IR-2026-120 was the only news release issued during October 5–11. The most recent prior release, IR-2026-119 (October 2, 2026), was a Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminder: Read more →
2. Oklahoma Tax Commission & State Tax News
State Treasurer: September 2026 Tax Revenue Report
October 8, 2026 — Source: Oklahoma State Treasurer
Rolling 12-month collections reached $18.18 billion, up $1.2 billion (7.1%) from the same period last year. For the year, sales and use tax totaled $7.3 billion (up 6.8%), income tax $7.3 billion (up 9.9%), and gross production tax $1.2 billion (up 9.5%).
Practice note: Useful context for clients and business owners asking about the state economy and tax trends.
Read more →
OTC: October 2026 Sales and Use Tax Collections and Rates
October 9, 2026 — Source: Oklahoma Tax Commission
Cities and towns received $220.8 million in sales tax (up $18.9 million from October 2025) and $43.7 million in use tax; counties received $40.1 million in sales tax and $9.1 million in use tax. New or changed rates effective October 2026: Bristow 10% lodging (new), Laverne 3%, Salina 5%, Selah 4% (new), and Wellston 3.5% sales and use. No changes are listed for November or December 2026; Ottawa County (2.35%) and Hominy (4%) change January 2027.
Practice note: Update sales tax rate tables for clients with locations in the affected jurisdictions.
Read more →
Governor Requests 120-Day Adjustment of Dyed Diesel Enforcement for Agricultural Producers
October 5, 2026 — Source: Office of the Governor
Governor Stitt sent a letter to the OTC, the Department of Public Safety, and the Corporation Commission asking them to temporarily adjust enforcement priorities for 120 days regarding dyed diesel used by farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and timber producers during harvest. The letter asks the OTC to seek dyed diesel penalty relief from the IRS and to help qualifying users report and pay applicable state taxes during any federal relief period.
Practice note: Farm and timber clients may ask about fuel tax exposure; watch for any IRS relief announcement.
Read the letter →
Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules State Question 843 Unconstitutional
Reported October 8, 2026 — Source: Oklahoma news coverage
In a 5–4 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court found that State Question 843, the initiative to phase out property taxes on homesteads, conflicts with a provision of the state constitution limiting how real property is assessed for ad valorem taxes, blocking it from the ballot. Dissenting justices argued the court should not strike a petition before voters decide on it.
Practice note: Homestead property tax treatment is unchanged for now.
Read more →
In case you missed it: Trump Accounts Regulations and Automatic Enrollment
September 30 and October 1, 2026 — Sources: Federal Register (IRS) and U.S. Treasury
On September 30, 2026, Treasury and the IRS issued temporary regulations (effective that day) and new proposed regulations under Section 530A, replacing the account-establishment rules proposed in March. Comments and hearing requests are due November 30, 2026. Among other items, a guardian can claim an automatically opened account and move the balance to an account that accepts more contributions, and governmental entities and 501(c)(3) organizations can fund contributions through Treasury for qualified classes of beneficiaries. On October 1, Treasury announced that automatic enrollment is complete: every eligible child under 18 with a valid SSN now has an account. A parent or guardian must claim the account through the official Trump Accounts app, and the $1,000 Treasury seed contribution is made only after the account is claimed. Family, friends, and employers can contribute once the account is claimed.
Practice note: Clients with children or grandchildren may ask about claiming accounts, the seed contribution, and employer contributions. Recent coverage also notes the default investment is an S&P 500 ETF, with additional fund choices expected in the coming months.
Treasury announcement → | Proposed regulations (Federal Register) →
In case you missed it: Senate Passes Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act
September 30, 2026 — Source: Tax news coverage
The Senate passed the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act by unanimous consent, attaching it to H.R. 5349, the Tax Court Improvement Act, which the House previously passed. Provisions of interest to practitioners include real-time EFIN validation, extending the mailbox rule to electronic submissions and payments, background checks and continuing education for PTIN applicants, Tax Court authority over refund suits up to $2 million, raising the small tax case threshold from $50,000 to $100,000, nonjurisdictional treatment of key petition deadlines, and waived installment agreement fees for individuals at or below 250% of the poverty line. The bill is not law yet; it awaits further action.
Practice note: Watch for final action; several provisions would affect preparer requirements and representation before the Tax Court.
Read more →
Current notice (as of October 12, 2026): OkTAP Refund and Account Balance Delays
Current notice — publication date not confirmed — Source: Oklahoma Tax Commission / OkTAP
The OTC has reported that it has paused issuing refunds and updating account balances because of system issues at the Oklahoma State Treasurer's Office, and is working to resolve them. We could not independently confirm the notice date; check OkTAP for the latest status before advising clients about refund timing.
OkTAP →
3. Upcoming OSEA Events
Oklahoma Sooner (Virtual) Chapter Seminar: Representation in Practice
Monday, October 19, 2026, 2:00–3:30 PM Central — Zoom (virtual)
A one-hour, case-study-based course on representing taxpayers before the IRS, presented by Edward Moore, EA. Topics include IRS notices, CP2000 cases, amended returns, retirement distributions, transcripts, tax research, and communicating with the IRS. 1 CE hour (Federal Tax Law), IRS Course ID FAHHB-T-00196-26-O. No cost.
Register →
Free Gleim Webinar: Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Tax Changes
Friday, October 23, 2026, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Central — Online
Sonia Singh, CPA, reviews the key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Designed for CPA Exam candidates but useful for enrolled agents and staff. Free; no CE credit is listed. Registering means agreeing to receive information about Gleim's exam review products.
Register →
4. Annual Seminars
2026 OSEA Northeast Annual Seminar
October 29, 2026, 8:00 AM – October 30, 2026, 5:00 PM
Location: Northeastern State University – Broken Arrow, 3100 New Orleans Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. Lunch provided both days for on-site attendees.
CE: Up to 16 CE units; attend in person or online via Zoom (link sent one week before the event).
Speakers: Marc J Dombrowski, EA, covers collection and representation topics (financial analysis, streamlined installment agreements, offers in compromise, appeals, CDP, transcripts). Jane Ryder, EA CPA, covers ethics, name/image/likeness income, QBI, stock options, and planning for business and rentals. Mercean Lam (IRS stakeholder liaison) presents CE-eligible IRS topics, and Mike Kaufmann presents Oklahoma tax updates (one hour, not CE-eligible).
Pricing: OSEA member $300; nonmember $350. Early-bird pricing is currently in effect (the site lists no end date). Attendees of both the 2025 OKC and Northeast events may qualify for "Last Year" rates ($275 member / $325 nonmember).
Bonus: Attend both the Northeast and Oklahoma City conferences and save $25 on a 2027 conference.
Register →
2026 OSEA Oklahoma City Annual Seminar
November 12, 2026, 8:00 AM – November 13, 2026, 5:00 PM
Location: Rose State College, 1720 Hudiburg Drive, Midwest City, OK 73110. Lunch provided both days for on-site attendees.
CE: Up to 16 CE units; attend in person or online (link sent one week before the event).
Speakers: David L Mellem, EA, and Mary Mellem, EA, cover federal tax updates, amended returns, basis rules for gifted and inherited property, business credits, teens and taxes, ethics, and bankruptcy. Mercean Lam (IRS stakeholder liaison) presents CE-eligible IRS topics, and Mike Kaufmann presents Oklahoma tax updates (one hour, not CE-eligible).
Pricing: OSEA member $350; nonmember $400. Early-bird pricing is currently in effect (the site lists no end date). Attendees of both the 2025 OKC and Northeast events may qualify for "Last Year" rates ($325 member / $375 nonmember).
Bonus: Attend both the Northeast and Oklahoma City conferences and save $25 on a 2027 conference.
Register →
The Oklahoma Society of Enrolled Agents (OSEA) is a professional organization dedicated to representing and supporting enrolled agents in Oklahoma through education, advocacy, and networking opportunities. Visit us at EAOK.org for more information and resources.
