NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (January 5, 2026)

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2025 finished strong! NAFOA’s team celebrated a major milestone for Tribal economic sovereignty at last month’s Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee public meeting with the announcement of final rules on Tribal General Welfare Exclusion and Tribally Chartered Corporate Entities. Pictured with the NAFOA team: Fatima Abbas, Director of the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs (center), and Chairman Rodney Butler, TTAC member and NAFOA Board President (far right). Photo courtesy NAFOA

5 Things You Need to Know This Week

Happy New Year, NAFOA Community! Start the year informed!

Monday, January 5, 2026

Source: NAFOA

nafoa.org

1. POLICY

Treasury Finalizes Historic Rules on General Welfare Exclusion and Tribal Corporate Entities

At the end of December, the Department of the Treasury announced the publication of rules on the General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014 (GWE) and Tribally Chartered Corporate Entities, as well as updates to the Adoption Tax Credit for Tribal Special Needs determinations. The finalization of these rules is the result of close collaboration with Tribes, Tribal leaders, Tribal organizations, and the TTAC, and addresses longstanding questions regarding the clarity and tax certainty necessary for sustainable Tribal economic development.

2. WEBINAR

Overview of Treasury Final Rules: General Welfare Exclusion & Wholly Owned Tribal Entities

Thursday, January 15, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Join NAFOA for a webinar examining the finalization of Treasury rules on the General Welfare Exclusion Act and Tribal Wholly-Owned Corporate Entities—groundbreaking regulations that promise to transform Tribal economic development and provide long-awaited tax certainty for Indian Country.

Speakers will break down the key provisions of each regulation and explore their practical implications for Tribal finance operations and economic development strategies. We will address implementation considerations, including IRS training requirements and audit suspensions. Explanation of this final guidance will assist Tribes with leveraging this tax clarity to strengthen their economies while maintaining sovereign authority when designing welfare programs or structuring business entities.

Speakers:

Fatima Abbas, Director, Office of Tribal & Native Affairs at U.S. Department of the Treasury, and Designated Federal Officer for the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee
Krishna Vallabhaneni, Tax Legislative Counsel, U.S. Department of the Treasury

3. CONFERENCES

Save the Date for NAFOA’s 2026 Conferences!

NAFOA hosts our Annual Conference (Spring) and the Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference to collaborate, share practical insights, and collectively define a path toward stronger Tribal economies and sovereignty.

44th Annual Conference: April 27-28
Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89595
Registration and additional details, including hotel room blocks, for the 44th Annual Conference will be available in mid-January. Thank you for your patience.

2026 Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference:
September 21-22
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506

Learn More

4. COMMUNITY

Nominations Due January 16, Annual NAFOA Leadership Awards

Nomination Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. AKST

NAFOA presented its first Leadership Awards in 2008 and honored a number of innovative Tribal leaders, Tribal Nations, and financial education directors for positively impacting Tribal economies. The tradition continues, and NAFOA will honor a select number of individuals with NAFOA Leadership Awards during our upcoming Annual Conference.

The NAFOA Leadership Award categories include:

Tribal Leader of the Year
Executive of the Year
Education Program of the Year
Deal of the Year

Submit a Nomination

5. JOB

Treasurer, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

Job Purpose: Protect the Seminole Nation’s interests in all financial matters by directing the planning, procurement, investment, safekeeping, receipt, and accounting of all monies due to or received by the Seminole Nation. This position ensures compliance with the Code of Laws of the Seminole Nation, oversees all Treasury Office operations, and safeguards tribal assets through diligent management of funds, trust assets, and financial reporting.

Learn More & Apply at nafoa.org/jobs