With Washington heading into the final months of 2026 and midterm elections looming, business leaders may be asking if Congress done with tax legislation for the year ꟷ or whether there are still meaningful developments ahead.
In our new episode of Grant Thornton's D.C. Dispatch podcast, host David Sites is joined by fellow Grant Thornton Washington National Tax Office tax legislative affairs specialists Storme Sixeas and Colin Wilhelm for a practical discussion about what, if anything, businesses should realistically expect from Congress before year-end.
The episode begins with a reality check. After last year's sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), lawmakers have largely shifted their focus from passing major tax legislation to monitoring the implementation of what was enacted. But that doesn't mean nothing is happening.
Sites, Sixeas and Wilhelm discuss several issues that could still attract attention in the coming months, including bipartisan tax administration legislation, digital asset tax proposals, tax extenders, and targeted fixes to existing law. The discussion explores why legislation aimed at modernizing IRS operations and improving taxpayer services may have a better chance of advancing than more ambitious tax measures.
The episode also looks at how election-year politics are shaping the legislative outlook, while also highlighting developments outside Congress, including the Treasury Department's ongoing work to implement OB3 through regulations and guidance.
For tax executives, finance leaders or anyone trying to understand Washington's year-end agenda, the discussion offers valuable context on where policymakers may still find common ground and where expectations should remain tempered. To hear the latest on what is in store in federal taxation for the rest of 2026, tune in to the full D.C. Dispatch podcast episode.
PODCAST
Year-end tax legislation: What could still move in Congress
Listen to the podcast
32:56 | Transcript (PDF - 2.89MB)
Podcast highlights
00:06 Introductions and topic summarizing the year in tax
01:35 Summarizing the year in tax
07:41 Reconciliation: effort but no progress
10:55 Consensus on tax administration
15:46 Procedural questions on pending bills
20:05 Treaties, extenders and CHIPS
22:26 Activity on OB3 regulations
26:32 What is likely to be enacted?
28:52 Rapid Fire Forecast
Contacts:
National Managing Partner,
Washington National Tax Office and International Tax Solutions
Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
David leads the firm's International Tax practice, which focuses on global tax planning, cross border merger and acquisition structuring, and working with global organizations in a variety of other international tax areas.
Washington DC, Washington DC
Industries
- Manufacturing
- Technology
- Retail & Consumer Brands
Service Experience
- Tax Services
- International Tax
Partner, Tax Legislative Affairs Leader
Washington National Tax Office
Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
Storme Sixeas serves as the Tax Legislative Affairs leader for Grant Thornton’s Washington National Tax Office.
Manager, Tax Legislative Affairs
Washington National Tax Office
Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
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