The Annual Tax Controversy Institute provides an open forum for distinguished presenters and panelists to discuss, and debate, sometimes sensitive tax practice issues with an engaged audience. Highly regarded as a premiere annual industry event, the conference includes among its attendees leading tax attorneys, CPAs, financial professionals, and representatives from the IRS. We also welcome many of UCLA Extension instructors and students.
The 2019 Tax Controversy Institute will be held at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hill, California. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:30am, with the conference program officially starting at 8:20am. An evening reception will be held at 5:00pm, immediately following the final panel presentation.
2019 Program At-A-Glance
| Time | Program | Panelists |
| 8:20 – 8:30 | Opening Remarks | Roger Torneden, Director of Business, Management and Legal Programs, UCLA Extension
Steven Toscher, Esq. Institute Chair, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, P.C. |
| 8:30 – 8:50 | Morning Keynote–The Future of SBSE in Tax Enforcement | Eric Hylton, SBSE Commissioner
Introduction—Mark Tracht |
| 8:50 – 9:40 | The Growing Role of LB&I in Tax Enforcement—From Campaigns to Examinations—What Can we Expect | Dennis Perez, Esq. (Moderator)
Judy McNamara, Director of Field Operations Gloria Sullivan, Director Western Compliance Practice Area in LB&I Division Paul Zamolo, IRS Counsel Introductions– |
| 9:40 – 10:30 | The Taxpayer First Act – The Impact on IRS Appeals and Tax Enforcement | Dennis Brager, Esq. (Moderator)
Barbara Kaplan, Esq. Fred Ferrarin, Esq., Appeals Team Manager Shelley Foster, Director Examination Appeals Introductions– |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | BREAK | |
| 10:45 – 11:35 | The Partnership Examination Process – It’s a New World | Steve Mather, Esq. (Moderator)
Maria B. Dolan – IRS Executive Assistant, Technical Stephen J. Turanchik, Esq. Chris Campbell, Esq. Introductions- |
| 11:35 – 12:25 | Emerging Issues Before the United States Tax Court | A. Lavar Taylor, Esq. (Moderator)
Judge Mary Ann Cohen, United States Tax Court G. Michelle Ferreira, Esq. Steven Jager, CPA Introductions- |
| 12:25 – 2:15 | Bruce I. Hochman Lunch Bruce I. Hochman Award Presentation
Chillin’ & Grillin’ Award Keynote by IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig |
Bryan C.Skarlatos, Esq. Recipient
Introduction – Avram Salkin |
| 2:15 – 3:05 | International Enforcement – What’s Old, What’s New and What We Can Expect | Frank Agostino, Esq. (Moderator)
Carolyn Schenck, IRS Counsel Igor Drabkin Caroline Ciraolo, Esq. James Lee, Deputy Chief of CI Introductions– |
| 3:05 – 3:25 | Afternoon Keynote – A View from the Chief Counsel’s Office | Michael Desmond, IRS Chief Counsel
Introduction — Chad Nardiello, Esq. |
| 3:25 – 3:45 | BREAK | |
| 3:45 – 4:35 | I Want My Passport Back – The Current State and Trends in IRS Collection | David Lee Rice, Esq. (Moderator)
Darren Guillot, Deputy Commissioner for Collection and Operations Ronson J. Shamoun, Esq. Joseph A. Broyles, Esq. Introductions – |
| 4:35 – 5:35 | IRS Criminal Investigations – The Use of Big Data and Deterrence to Achieve Voluntary Compliance | Sandra R. Brown, Esq. (Moderator)
Nathan J. Hochman, Esq., Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS CI Bryan C. Skarlatos, Esq. Jean Song, Area Counsel, IRS Office of Chief Counsel Marty Schainbaum, Esq. Introductions – |
| 5:35 | RECEPTION |
