ITC: Strategic Tax Podcast
Welcome to the ITC Tax Podcast, where we cut through the complexity of taxes and help businesses plan smarter, save money, and stay ahead. Each episode we’ll dive into real conversations about things that matter right now: data centers, site selection, incentives, property tax, and more. If your business is growing or planning big projects, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Let’s get into it.
Heavy Equipment, Smart Taxes: Strategies to Reduce Your Property Tax Burden
This week, host Stephen Shaw sits down with Kyle Hanson, a seasoned property tax consultant, to explore the ins and outs of dealer heavy equipment and its impact on business personal property tax assessments.
Kyle breaks down how businesses can strategically leverage tax provisions to reduce liabilities on heavy equipment, what qualifies for reduced assessments, and the critical filing rules to avoid penalties. They also dive into recent legislative changes, including the move from monthly to quarterly filings, aimed at simplifying the process for businesses.
Key Takeaways
Understand how dealer heavy equipment affects business...The New $125,000 Texas BPP Exemption: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know with Dawn Walior and Trudie Nguyen
This week on the ITC Tax Podcast, Trudie sits down with Dawn to break down the brand-new Texas business personal property exemption that took effect in January 2026. Passed through House Bill 9, this exemption automatically removes the first $125,000 of value per location, per taxing jurisdiction, simplifying filing for small businesses and reducing the compliance burden across the board.
Dawn walks through how the exemption works for single locations, multi-location owners, leased property, and related entities, plus what to watch for as appraisal districts figure out implementation in year one. If you own business personal property in Texas, this...
Texas Property Tax Exemptions: The Savings You Might Be Missing with Dawn Walior and Trudie Nguyen
In this episode, Dawn Walior and Trudie Nguyen walk us through the most commonly missed property tax exemptions in Texas — and how they can translate into significant savings for your business. From the Freeport exemption to pollution control and the newer biomedical exemption, learn what you may be leaving on the table, how to apply, and the critical deadlines you need to know. Plus, an important warning about recent changes to USPS mail processing that could affect your filings.
Key Takeaways:
- The Freeport exemption is one of the most frequently missed opportunities — even if you...
Don’t Miss the Deadline: Property Tax Tips to Avoid Penalties with Brett Zieren
This week, host Stephen Shaw sits down with Brett Zieren, a property tax consultant at ITC, to break down why property tax deadlines matter, especially the fast-approaching April 15 cutoff in states like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Brett shares how different states handle extensions and the steps required to file them correctly. Plus, he shares simple but important tips, like keeping certified mail receipts, so you’ve got proof on your side if anything ever gets questioned.
A little organization and early action can go a long way. Listen to feel more confident, stay compliant, and keep more of...
Navigating Energy Market Volatility with James Wicklund
This week, on the ITC Tax Podcast, Mark Dzeda speaks with industry veteran James Wicklund to discuss how recent geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, are impacting global oil markets. Mark and James explore the growing demand for natural gas driven by data centers and technological growth, and how energy companies are adapting through innovation and diversification to navigate an increasingly complex market.
Key Takeaways
Geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions can quickly impact global oil prices.Oil markets remain highly cyclical and volatile.Data center growth is driving increased demand for...Economic Pressures, Policy Impacts & Emerging Growth Opportunities with Ed Sullivan
This week, on the ITC Tax Podcast, Mark Dzeda welcomes economist Ed Sullivan. They discuss the economic pressures impacting the cement industry, including high interest rates and the effects of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on private construction, particularly housing.
Ed addresses ongoing labor shortages driven in part by restrictive immigration policies and outlines a potential industry rebound within 18 to 24 months as inflation eases and infrastructure investment strengthens. The conversation also highlights growing demand for data centers and new construction technologies as emerging drivers of growth.
Key Takeaways
High interest rates and federal...Maximizing Tax Savings: Unraveling Property Tax Corrections
This week, on the ITC Tax Podcast, hosts Stephen Shaw and Mark Dzeda explore the importance of correcting property tax assessments as the new tax season approaches. They break down the substantial error correction process, explaining when and how taxpayers can challenge inaccurate property valuations.
Listen as Stephen and Mark emphasize that pursuing a correction is a low-risk, high-reward strategy, as the potential tax savings often far outweigh the minimal penalties involved.
Key Takeaways
How substantial error corrections can reduce over-assessed property taxesKey requirements and timelines for filing a successful correction claimCommon assessment issues...Pollution Control Tax Exemptions: Deadlines, Compliance, and Hidden Challenges
This week, on the ITC Tax Podcast, hosts Stephen Shaw and Mark Dzeda break down the often-overlooked pollution control tax exemption and how it can deliver significant property tax savings for businesses across multiple states. They explore which industries and equipment may qualify, along with the procedural steps required to secure and maintain the exemption.
Stephen and Mark dive deep into the filing process, explaining how requirements can vary by state and authority, including the role of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and local appraisal districts. Listen for tips on how to navigate regulatory complexities...
Property Tax FAQs: Your Questions Answered
In the latest episode of the ITC Tax Podcast, hosts Stephen Shaw and Mark Dzeda dive into the critical role of proactive planning in property taxation, especially for data centers. They discuss a common mistake many property owners make: allowing information about their projects to enter public discourse before a strategic plan is in place. This can lead to missed opportunities for valuable tax incentives, as early applications and community engagement are often overlooked.
Listen this week for tools that help maximize your competitive advantage through thoughtful planning, due diligence, and strategic foresight in property taxation.
<...Navigating the Intricacies of Tax Incentives for Data Centers: A Strategic Overview
In the latest episode of the ITC Tax Podcast, hosts Stephen Shaw and Mark Dzeda explore the critical strategies enterprises should consider when establishing data centers, with a focus on property tax implications and securing incentives. They discuss the importance of initiating conversations about potential tax incentives early, ideally before any public announcement of site selection.
Listen this week for a comprehensive framework for strategic planning in data center development, blending tax strategy with community engagement to foster sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways
Early engagement with local jurisdictions is key to securing tax incentives for d...