Tax Controversy Conference

Annual Event hosted by Business, Management and Legal Programs at UCLA Extension

39th Annual Conference

UCLA Extension’s Annual Tax Controversy Conference is the preeminent conference exclusively dedicated to tax controversy and tax litigation. The conference provides an open forum for distinguished presenters and panelists to discuss, and often debate, sensitive tax practice issues with an engaged audience.

This conference is ideal for tax attorneys, accountants, CPAs, enrolled agents, financial advisors, and other tax professionals. Accounting, tax, and law students are also encouraged to attend.

What you can expect:

Attend high-quality keynote presentations and panel discussions to learn the latest trends and practices surrounding tax controversy issues
Speakers include top IRS representatives and private practitioners
Convenient, day-long format held at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel that includes continental breakfast, Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award Luncheon, and evening reception
Networking opportunities with leading tax professionals

Save the Date

Date
Thursday, October 26, 2023

Time
8:30am–5:30pm PT

Location
The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Attendees

This conference is ideal for tax attorneys, accountants, CPA's, enrolled agents, financial advisors, and other tax professionals. Accounting, tax, and law students are also encouraged to attend.

Fees

Registration: $595
Early Registration: $495 (must enroll by August 6*)

Registration for the 2023 conference will open on June 19.

Special Discounts
Members of CalCPA, NAEA, and FPA receive 10% off the registration fee. IRS employees (registering with IRS email), Students (proof of enrollment required), and UCLA Extension Instructors can enroll at a special rate of $200. Discounts for employer groups are also available, please contact us for more information.

The Annual Tax Controversy Conference at UCLA Extension has become the premier tax controversy program in the United States, where practitioners and government officials learn from each other in a collegial setting.

Steven Toscher, Esq.

Conference Co-Chair; Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, P.C.

2022 Keynote Speaker

Please note this was for the last conference which took place on October 27, 2022

Charles P. Rettig, 49th Commissioner of the IRS

As Commissioner, Mr. Rettig presides over the nation’s tax system, which collects approximately $3.4 trillion in tax revenue each year. This revenue funds most government operations and public services. Mr. Rettig manages an agency of about 80,000 employees and a budget of approximately $11 billion.

In leading the IRS, Mr. Rettig is focused on improving service to the nation’s taxpayers, balancing appropriate enforcement of the nation’s tax laws while respecting taxpayer rights.

Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/commissioner-charles-p-rettig

2022 Conference Agenda

Please note this was for the last conference which took place on October 27, 2022

8:30 A.M.

Event Opens

❧

8:30-8:40 A.M.

Opening Remarks

Roger Torneden, Director of Business, Management and Legal Programs, UCLA Extension
Steven Toscher, Esq., Institute Co-Chair; Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, P.C.

❧

8:40-9:00 A.M.

Morning Keynote

Speaker: Erin Collins, IRS Taxpayer Advocate
Introduction by: Luis Tejeda

❧

9:00-9:55 A.M.

Employment Tax, Employee Retention Credits, What’s Old Is New Again: IRS’s Renewed Focus on Employee Tax Compliance Issues

Speakers: Joseph Broyles, Daniel Layton, Cory Stigile, and Alfredo Valespino, IRS SBSE Examination Specialty Tax
Moderated by: Dennis Brager

❧

9:55-10:00 A.M.

Coffee Break

❧

10:10-11:00 A.M.

R&D Credits: If You Build It, They Will Come…The Taxing Authorities Focus on R&D Credits

Speakers: Kathryn Meyer, IRS Chief Counsel, Area Counsel SB/SE, Area 7, Adam Billmeier, IRS CI Acting SSA, Kurt Branning, IRS Territory Manager, SW, and William (Bill) Kuhlman
Moderated by: Dennis Perez

❧

11:00-11:15 A.M.

Late Morning Keynote on the State of IRS Criminal Investigation

Speaker: Jim Lee, Chief Criminal Investigation Division, IRS

❧

11:15 A.M.-12:15 P.M.

How To Resolve Your Cases at IRS Appeals Including Cases Docketed Before the Tax Court

Speakers: Cassidy Collins, IRS Chief Counsel, Senior Counsel, Todd Welty, Daniel Price, and Darren Lee, IRS Supervisory Appeals Officer, Exam Appeals
Moderated by: Frank Agostino

❧

12:15–1:45 PM

Lunch, Awards, and Keynote Address

Opening Remarks
Presentation of Bruce I. Hochman Award & Chillin' and Grillin' Award
Update on Vets Count Scholarship Fund
Keynote speaker, Charles P. Rettig, 49th Commissioner of the IRS

❧

Afternoon Sessions

1:45–2:35 P.M.

Crypto Compliance & Enforcement

Speakers: Sanford Boxerman, Steven Turanchik, Michael (Mike) Lee, IRS CI SSA, and Jordan Bass
Moderated by: Michel Stein

❧

2:35-2:50 P.M.

Late Afternoon Keynote

Current State of Collection and Looking Forward

Speaker: Darren Guillot, IRS Deputy Commissioner, SBSE Collection & Operations Support
Introduction by: Sandra Brown, Esq. Institute Co-Chair

❧

2:50-3:40 P.M.

Collection & Offer Specialist Panel & An IRS Campaign

Speakers: Darren Guillot, IRS Deputy Commissioner, SBSE Collection & Operations Support, Steve Jager, Igor Drabkin, and Ronson Shamoun
Moderated by: Michelle Schwerin

❧

3:40-4:40 P.M.

BSA & F8300 Compliance

Speakers: Jeff Mitchell, AUSA, John Kucera, Jeremy Temkin, Kelsey Perez, IRS Territory Manager, SBSE Examination Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
Moderated by: Evan Davis

❧

4:40-5:30 P.M.

Criminal Tax Enforcement

Speakers: Damon Rowe, Lorraine Yu, IRS CT Counsel, Tyler R. Hatcher, IRS SAC, and Bryan Skarlatos
Moderated by: Sandra Brown, Esq. Institute Co-Chair

❧

5:30 P.M.

Closing Remarks and Cocktail Party

This year’s Institute will continue the tradition of providing high-quality practical presentations by distinguished government and private practitioners from throughout the United States who enjoy an open discussion of sometimes sensitive practice issues with the audience.

Sandra R. Brown, Esq.

Conference Co-Chair; Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, P.C.

Become a Sponsor

For information on becoming a sponsor contact us at taxconference@uclaextension.edu.

Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award

The distinguished personal and professional achievements of Bruce Hochman have been permanently honored through the Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award.

Bruce Hochman, a leading attorney for over 40 years specializing in civil and criminal tax law litigation, was also a generous philanthropist and dynamic leader of various civic organizations.

The Award was established to be presented each year at the Tax Controversy Institute to an individual who demonstrates outstanding proficiency in the field of tax law and best exemplifies the principles that personified Mr. Hochman. Selected each year by the Planning Committee for the UCLA Extension’s Annual Tax Controversy Institute, the Award is presented during the Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award Luncheon.

View past award recipients

2022
Paula M. Junghans, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

2021
The Honorable Juan F. Vasquez, United States Tax Court

2020
Larry Campagna, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry, P.C., Houston, TX

2019
Bryan C. Skarlatos, Kostelanetz & Fink, LLP, New York, NY

2018
Avram Salkin, Hochman, Salkin, Toscher & Perez, PC, Beverly Hills, CA

2017
Miles D. Friedman, (former) Associate Area Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Laguna Niguel

2016
Frank Agostino, Agostino & Associates, Hackensack, NJ

2015
Karen L. Hawkins, Former Director, IRS Office of Professional Responsibility, Washington, D.C.

2014
Steve Sims, Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate, Franchise Tax Board, Rancho Cordova, CA

2013
Elliott Kajan (deceased), Kajan Mather & Barish

2012
Ted Meyer, Examination Territory Manager Los Angeles, Area 7, Small Business/ Self- Employed Division Internal Revenue Service

2011
Jerry Feffer, formerly of Williams & Connolly, LLP, Washington, DC

2010
William Taggart, Law Offices of William E. Taggart Jr., Professional Corporation, Oakland, CA

2009
Martin A. Schainbaum, Law offices of Martin A. Schainbaum, San Francisco, CA

2008
Sidney Machtinger, Greenberg Glusker, Los Angeles, CA

2007
Mary Ann Cohen, Judge, United States Tax Court, Washington D.C.

2006
Cono Namorato, Caplin & Drysdale Chartered, Washington D.C., formerly Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice

2005
Stephen J. Swift, Judge, United States Tax Court, Washington, D.C.

2004
Irene Scott Carroll, Special Litigation Assistant, IRS Counsel, Small Business/ Self Employed Division, Area8, Los Angeles, CA

2003
B. John Williams, Jr., Skadden, Washington, D.C.- former Judge, United States Tax Court and Former Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service

2002
Gene Silverman (deceased), formerly with DeCastro, West, Chodorow, Mendler, Glickfeld & Nass, founder of the UCLA Extension Annual Tax Controversy Institute in 1984.

Vets Count Scholarship Fund

The VETS COUNT Scholarship fund was launched at the 2016 Tax Controversy Institute, and will hopefully inspire a wide audience of patriots and professionals to assist in giving back to those who have given so much.

VETS COUNT is intended to provide financial assistance for active and former military personnel who desire to pursue a career in tax, accounting, wealth management, and other aspects of financial services. Funds raised also cover basic coursework for personal growth in budgeting, financial literacy, and investing.

Give Now

Apply Now

I faced a serious culture shock as I transitioned from being a highly respected expert in my unit to being a student once again. My wife convinced me to return to my studies, starting at UCLA Extension; one year and 14 courses later, I have a 3.92 GPA and was just accepted to the University of Maryland B.S. in Finance program. To the donors of the VETS COUNT Scholarship Fund, thank you for what you do. Thank you for your support.

Dale Buhl

Sergeant (retired), U.S. Marines, UCLA Extension Graduate

Thank You to our Sponsors

PLATINUM

Hochman, Salkin, Toscher & Perez, P.C.

SILVER

Dallo Law Group

The annual UCLA Extension Tax Controversy Conference brings together the highest quality tax practitioners on the West Coast, as well as senior IRS professionals from both the West Coast and Washington, D.C. It is a can't-miss event!

Roger Torneden

Director, Business, Management, and Legal Programs, UCLA Extension

Accounting & Taxation at UCLA Extension

UCLA Extension’s highly-regarded accounting, taxation, internal audit, and enrolled agent programs are designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to stay ahead in today’s competitive job market. Enhance your career with continuing education courses, professional certificates, exam review programs, seminars, and more.

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