Kostelanetz LLP, Tax Practice Pro, and the Taxpayer Assistance Corporation will host the 2026 Annual Tax Controversy Seminar and BBQ on June 24, 2026, from 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern.
Seminars will be held at Bergen Community College Technology Education Center, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ, from 8 am to 12:30 pm. To sign up for a seminar, click here.
The BBQ will be held at the Taxpayer Assistance Corporation HQ, 14 Washington Pl, Hackensack, NJ, from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. To RSVP for the BBQ, click here.
Tax professionals who attend are encouraged to accept a pro bono tax controversy case assignment from NYCLA, an ABA-sponsored Tax Court Pro program, or a NY or NJ low-income Tax Clinic.
In addition, during the seminars, representatives of the IRS Local Taxpayer Advocates, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, New York City Department of Finance, and New Jersey Division of Taxation will be available to assist with unresolved tax problems. Individuals seeking to take advantage of Problem Solving Day should bring executed Power of Attorneys and Declaration of Representative. This "FREE SERVICE" from 9 am to 12:30 pm Eastern is part of the annual BBQ Tax Controversy Event. To sign up for Problem Solving Day, click here.
Free CLE, NASBA & Texas CPE, and EA & CTEC CE credits will be available to participants, but credits may vary by panel.
Seminars being offered this year include:
Leveraging AI, Big Data, IRS Online Services & Emerging Technology
This panel explores the expanding role of technology in tax controversies, with a focus on artificial intelligence applications in tax dispute resolution and audit processes, integration of big data and emerging tech tools for tax professionals, the Tax Court's electronic courtroom including digital filing and virtual hearings through the DAWSON system, software demonstrations for filing Section 7508A (Kwong) claims, and ethical considerations in implementing technology in controversy work.
Non-Traditional Tax Advocacy: Leveraging Alternative Support Channels
This panel examines alternative channels for tax support, including community advocacy and digital tools, partnerships with non-profits and taxpayer advocate services, the role of media and public relations in tax controversies, and the role of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in supporting practitioners and taxpayers.
Representation of Return Preparers & Taxpayer Defenses
This panel addresses regulations, compliance, and ethical issues for tax preparers including Circular 230 standards and risk management, assertion and defense of preparer penalties, penalty avoidance and due diligence standards under IRC §6694, defenses against dishonest preparer penalties, criminal prosecution of preparers, impact of bad preparer conduct on statute of limitations and penalties asserted against taxpayers, malpractice claims and defenses, and sustainable practice building.
Tax Controversies Involving Entertainers, Performers, Influencers & NIL
This panel focuses on the unique tax challenges facing entertainers, performers, digital influencers, and college athletes with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
International Tax Controversies: Challenges & Strategies
This panel addresses recent changes in global tax reporting standards, including FATCA and CRS, penalty structures and mitigation strategies, cross-border dispute resolution, BEPS Pillars I and II updates, case law updates on assertion of penalties, voluntary disclosure programs for non-compliance, and international tax reporting for international students.
IRS Criminal Tax Update
This panel covers trends in IRS criminal investigations and enforcement priorities, use of technology, including AI in criminal tax investigations, case law developments and defenses against prosecution, collaboration with DOJ and other agencies on crypto and offshore evasion, and whistleblower impacts and emerging risks.
IRS Collection Division Update
This panel covers IRS collection strategies and policies, installment agreements and offers in compromise, liens, levies, innocent spouse relief, collection due process hearings, and Section 7508A (Kwong) claims
Money Laundering, Bank Secrecy Act & AML Compliance
Topics include BSA reporting obligations, FinCEN enforcement priorities and SAR filings, the Corporate Transparency Act and beneficial ownership reporting, cryptocurrency and digital asset AML, cross-border investigations with DOJ, gatekeeper obligations for attorneys, and emerging typologies.
NY & NJ State and Local Tax Updates
Regional SALT issues, including NY & NJ nexus rules, apportionment, recent case law, multi-state residency, post-Wayfair developments, and the role of state pro bono programs and LITCs in SALT cases.
Common Tax Issues Faced by Family Offices
This panel is organized as a four-panel track addressing the unique tax issues facing family offices across residency, planning, controversy, and criminal investigations. Each sub-panel runs approximately one hour.
