Real World Research
Take Tax Positions You Can Defend.
Find it. Cite it. Defend it. A one-day, hands-on workshop in federal tax research for practitioners who want answers that hold up.
Real World Research
$379 In Person · $299 On-Demand
8 Hours Federal Tax Law CE · IRS · CTEC · NASBA
★★★★★
“Exceptional speakers! Genuine enthusiasm that makes a live seminar ‘alive’!”
— Lola Green
Why It’s Different
This isn’t a lecture. You leave having done the work.
Most CE tells you what the law says. This workshop makes you prove it, on the kind of questions clients actually bring you.
The Challenge
You already know tax law.
Can you prove a position when it’s challenged?
When a CP2000 lands on your desk, or a client brings in a strategy their favorite tax influencer swears by, “I’m pretty sure” isn’t a standard the IRS recognizes.
Blog posts, search results, and AI summaries won’t protect a position. Primary authority will, if you know how to find it, read it, and confirm it’s still good law.
That’s the skill we’ll teach you to build.
The Agenda
One day. Three sessions. Real casework.
Session 1: The Research Method
Session 2: Research in Practice
Session 3: You Do the Research
What You’ll Learn
Built for practitioners ready to go beyond preparation.
- Rank the sources of federal tax authority and distinguish what binds the IRS from what doesn’t
- Apply a seven-step research process to any federal tax question and document the answer
- Draft cited responses to IRS notices that meet Circular 230 position standards
- Evaluate planning strategies against the substantial authority and reasonable basis standards
Program level: Intermediate. Attendees should have working experience preparing individual and small-business returns. No prior research training needed.
Dates & Locations
Pick your city. Seats are limited, so reserve early.
Nine stops across California in July, or an on-demand webinar if you’d rather stay put.
Ventura
July 13, 2026
Four Points by Sheraton
Ventura Harbor Resort
1050 Schooner Dr,
Ventura, CA 93001
Norwalk
July 14, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton
13111 Sycamore Drive,
Norwalk, CA 90650
Ontario
July 15, 2026
Delta Hotels Ontario Airport
2200 E Holt Blvd,
Ontario, CA 91761
Orange County
July 16, 2026
Hotel Fera Anaheim,
a DoubleTree by Hilton
100 The City Dr S,
Orange, CA 92868
San Diego
July 17, 2026
Handlery Hotel San Diego
950 Hotel Cir N,
San Diego, CA 92108
San Jose
July 27, 2026
Delta Hotels Santa Clara
Silicon Valley
2151 Laurelwood Road,
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Concord
July 28, 2026
Hilton Concord
1970 Diamond Blvd,
Concord, CA 94520
Rohnert Park
July 29, 2026
OXFORD SUITES SONOMA COUNTY
67 Golf Course Drive West,
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Sacramento
July 30, 2026
Four Points by Sheraton
Sacramento International Airport
4900 Duckhorn Dr,
Sacramento, CA 95834
On-Demand
Projected Release Date: July 20, 2026
Real Preparers. Real Feedback.
Success starts here.
★★★★★
Brass Tax has featured all the topics I’ve wanted further education on. Tax Toolbox is always a great educational experience.”
— Kristy Snyder
★★★★★
“Great seminar! Thank you!”
— Michaela Buhl
★★★★★
“Love the energy Brass Tax brings to the table. They make it fun & interesting.”
— Marcia Desjardins
★★★★★
“Exceptional speakers! Genuine enthusiasm that makes a live seminar ‘alive’!”
— Lola Green
Pricing
One workshop. Two ways to take it.
Come in person for the full hands-on day, or take it on-demand on your own schedule. Either way you earn 8 hours of federal tax law CE.
Real World Research
$379 in person · $299 on-demand
8 hours federal tax law CE (IRS, CTEC, and NASBA on live attendance)
Continental breakfast & lunch
Free parking
Meet the Instructors
Taught by working tax pros.
Your instructors prepare returns, represent clients, and stay on the cutting edge of new tax law, so what you learn is what they actually use.
Ryan Reichert, EA, CFP®
Ryan Reichert, EA, CFP®, is a practicing tax professional from San Diego, California. His financial planning and business ownership background makes him specially equipped to handle new and often complex tax laws. Ryan has a knack for breaking tax topics into presentations that keep attendees engaged and learning throughout the day. He is also the owner of the client-facing publication Tax News and Tips.
Thomas A. Gorczynski, EA, CTP, USTCP
Thomas A. Gorczynski, EA, CTP, USTCP is the Senior Tax Consultant at Gorczynski & Associates, LLC in Phoenix, AZ. He is an enrolled agent, a Certified Tax Planner, a Fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI) and was admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court in 2015. He earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a Certificate in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His firm specializes in tax controversy representation and advanced tax planning strategies for small- and medium-sized businesses and rental owners. Tom is a nationally-known speaker on tax law and procedure and has spoken for the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), the California Society of Enrolled Agents Super Seminars, and other national, state, and local organizations. He is a skilled technical writer on tax law and strategy and is frequently published in both the EA Journal and the NATP TAXPRO Journal. He was the recipient of the 2018 Member of the Year award from the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners and the 2019 Excellence in Education award from NAEA.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions that come up most.
Do I get CE credit?
NASBA credit is not available on-demand.
Do I need to bring anything?
Do I need prior research experience?
What if my plans change?
What time does the day run?
Is this the same course in every city?
Why Trust Brass Tax Presentations?
This seminar has been designed to meet the requirements of the California Tax Education Council. This does not constitute an endorsement by the CTEC as to the quality of the course or its contribution to the professional competence of the preparer.
CTEC Course Number: 1008-CE-01206
Our seminars are designed to meet the requirements for continuing education for EAs, CRTPs, and CPAs. We have agreed with the Office of the Director of Practice, Internal Revenue Service, to meet the requirements of 31 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 10.6(g), covering maintenance of attendance records, retention of program outlines, qualifications of instructors, and length of class hours. This agreement does not constitute an endorsement by the Director of Practice as to the program’s quality or its contribution to the professional competence of the enrolled individual.
IRS Course Numbers:
In-person: UD2VU-T-00181-26-I
Self-study: UD2VU-T-00181-26-S
Brass Tax Presentations is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of live in-person continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on accepting individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
NASBA Program ID # 142999
Brass Tax Presentations is not registered with NASBA for self-study courses.