Kostelanetz is hosting the 2026 Criminal Tax Update at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands on January 7, 2026.
The legal landscape of 2025 was marked by increased federal and state scrutiny of financial crimes in the New York and New Jersey area. This geographic region, historically a focal point for global economic activity, saw a strategic pivot in law enforcement priorities, transitioning from pandemic-era stimulus to the rigorous prosecution of those who exploited these relief mechanisms. IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) recently reported significant enforcement results in 2025, identifying more than $10.59 billion in financial crimes — a nearly 16 percent increase over the previous year — with tax fraud specifically accounting for approximately $4.5 billion of that total. This surge in identified fraud is a testament to the sophisticated, data-driven investigative methodologies deployed by federal authorities. This event will explore these topics among others, setting the stage for what you can expect in 2026.
IRS Problem Solving will be onsite during the event to include Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) and pro bono volunteers. Additionally, this event will provide four free NY and NJ CLE credits, NASBA CPE, or EA CE credits.
Our own Frank Agostino hosts the event. Speakers also include Kostelanetz attorneys Karen Kelly, Usman Mohammad, and Shan Kadkoy, who will discuss topics including voluntary disclosures, criminal tax investigations, and the reorganization of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Breakfast will be provided from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.; panels will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event is available online or in person.
More information and registration are available here.
About Frank
During his four decades of practicing tax law, Frank has been the driving force behind many successful lawsuits that sought to establish fair tax enforcement principles for taxpayers. Frank has extensive courtroom experience, litigating more than 100 tax matters, several of which established important precedents for taxpayers.
About Karen
The former head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, Karen joined Kostelanetz after more than 30 years of federal and state trial practice, including prosecuting tax and white-collar crime. Her practice focuses on representing clients in state and federal civil tax controversies, defending clients in government investigations, including in criminal tax and white-collar matters, and against state and federal criminal charges.
About Usman
Usman’s tax controversy practice includes defending clients in federal and state criminal matters involving issues such as tax shelters, payroll tax, check cashing, structuring cash deposits, filing false returns, and failing to file tax returns. He also has extensive experience with government procurement award protests, Article 78 proceedings involving procurement matters, foreign asset reporting issues, IRS responsible person and trust fund recovery penalty matters, IRS whistleblower matters, and IRS collection cases.
About Shan
Prior to joining the firm, Shan practiced at Agostino & Associates P.C. He began his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Mary Siobhan Brennan, J.T.C., in the Tax Court of New Jersey.
