WELCOME

On behalf of the Trustees of the Southern Federal Tax Institute, it is my privilege to invite you to join us in Atlanta for the 61st Annual Southern Federal Tax Institute. For more than six decades, SFTI has remained committed to delivering timely, practical, and forward-looking guidance to help practitioners navigate an increasingly complex tax landscape, while preserving the collegial atmosphere that has long defined the Institute. We are sincerely grateful to our speakers, sponsors, Trustees, and loyal attendees whose engagement continues to strengthen that tradition each year.

We have planned an exceptional program for October 19 through October 23, 2026, featuring five days of in-depth programming presented by leading tax and estate planning practitioners. As always, the Institute will be held at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, providing an ideal setting for both substantive learning and meaningful professional connections.

While we believe that a vital part of the Institute is the hospitality and networking opportunities it provides, we will continue to offer a virtual attendance option for those unable to join us in person.

Consistent with long-standing tradition, the 2026 Institute will begin with a comprehensive review of recent federal income tax developments, highlighting significant court decisions, administrative guidance, and legislative and regulatory changes from the prior year. Monday afternoon programming will then turn to forward-looking issues, including the taxation of digital assets, the evolving federal legislative and regulatory landscape, and practical lessons learned from partnership examinations under the BBA audit regime. These sessions are designed to provide both technical grounding and practical insight into the policy and compliance challenges practitioners face today.

As the program continues throughout the week, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a broad range of advanced and timely topics reflecting the current complexity of practicing in today’s evolving tax landscape. Scheduled sessions include current developments in corporate and pass-through entity tax topics, a closer look at qualified small business stock, the ethical use of artificial intelligence in your tax practice, and additional implications of recent and anticipated tax legislation. Collectively, the 2026 program is designed to provide actionable guidance while fostering thoughtful dialogue around the future direction of federal and state tax systems.

Thursday and Friday will focus on trust and estate planning topics, beginning with an overview of recent developments. Thursday will continue with a session on maximizing qualified small business stock gain exclusions with estate and trust planning, and other specialty trust and estate topics. Finally, Friday will conclude the Institute with sessions including assisting practitioners with succession planning within their own firm, navigating family office structures for clients, and asset protection planning.

Please plan to attend our receptions on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. These cocktail parties are a wonderful venue for renewing friendships with longtime colleagues, introducing younger colleagues, and networking with leading tax practitioners. We also encourage you to meet and thank our sponsors and exhibitors. Their support and generosity play an important role in delivering programs that are exceptional both in quality and value.

On behalf of the Trustees, thank you for your continued support of the Southern Federal Tax Institute. We look forward to welcoming you to Atlanta in October.

Zack Leder
President
Southern Federal Tax Institute